The Junction City Blue Jays ( 2-1 ) jumped out to a 17-2 first quarter lead over the Manhattan Indians ( 4-1 ) but the Indians kept battling and went on their own 17-0 run to claim a 19-17 second quarter lead over Junction City.

From that point on the game was close but Manhattan prevailed at the Shenk Gym 51-49 Tuesday night.

Missed free throws by the Indians in the fourth quarter left the door open for Junction City to rally from a late deficit, but a missed dunk, a traveling call and a final missed  three-point show attempt at the buzzer left the Blue Jays two points short.

Blue Jay coach Nick Perez noted Junction City made some mistakes. “We’re disappointed. We let them off the hook. We had them,” referring to the early hot start for the Blue Jays. But Perez also gave the Indians credit. saying, “They find ways to win.”

Junction City hit seven three-point shots in the game with six coming in the first half….three from Kody Westerhaus and three from A.J. Dickerson. The Indians used a tough zone defense to prevent the Blue Jays from getting a lot of shots around the basket.

A.J. Dickerson scored 19 points for the Blue Jays, but had to deal with foul problems. Kody Westerhaus scored 12 points for Junction City.

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In the girls varsity game Manhattan ( 4-1 ) jumped out to a 28-4 first quarter lead over Junction City and rolled on to a 72-16 victory over the Lady Jays ( 0-3 ).

Mellana Davis led Junction City with six points.