The Junction City Blue Jays ( 6-5 ) drove to the basket strong on offense and hit three-point shots enroute to a nine-point first half lead over undefeated Washburn Rural ( 12-0 ) in Topeka Friday night. Junction City led by seven at halftime. But in the second half lack of proper execution on offense hurt the Blue Jays as they fell to the Junior Blues 62-54.

In the third quarter the Blue Jays scored just four points. They were outscored 38-21 in the second half. JC Post asked Junction City coach Nick Perez what changed, what did Washburn Rural do? His reply, “Nothing. Third quarter blues, third quarter blues, that’s what I said in the locker room, third quarter blues. It’s been like this for awhile.”

Perez pointed to a key stat. “We had 13 turnovers in the second half and eight of them were in the third quarter, and we jacked a bunch of jump shots. I don’t know if fatigue set in or what, but we just settled. I told the kids lets be honest we’re pretty good when we get to the rim and we kick out for an open three, but when we’re not we just can’t settle. ” Perez was critical of the Blue Jay shot selection the first four minutes of the third quarter, and noted when the Junior Blues provided stronger pressure defense there were also some turnovers. He added as a team Junction City has to get over the third-quarter challenge.

Junction City will have three home games next week. They will host Hayden on Tuesday, Topeka High Friday and Emporia on Saturday.