On a night when Highland Park High School renamed their main basketball gym and court for longtime boys basketball coach Ken Darting his team turned in a solid performance in a 62-39 victory over the Junction City Blue Jays.

With Highland Park’s Jahmal McMurray pouring in four three point shots and scoring a total of 24 points, the undefeated and number one ranked team in 5A overpowered Junction City. McMurray’s teammate Shaffee Carr added 16 points, while Jordan Lawrence led the Blue Jays with 12 points.

Highland Park led 19-12 after one quarter and then outscored the Blue Jays 13-4 in the second period to open up a 16 point halftime advantage, and never trailed in the second half. The Scots are now 6-0 overall, and 2-0 in the Centennial League. The Blue Jays are 3-3, and 1-1.

Ken Darting is retiring after this season. In 13 years at Highland Park he has led the Scots to four state championships, and three runnerup finishes in the state tournament. The court was scheduled to be named after Darting, but during a pregame ceremony Friday evening there was a surprise announcement….that the gym would also be named in his honor.

Junction City will host Topeka High on Tuesday and Manhattan next Friday.

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In the girls game Junction City defeated Highland Park 38-31, in a contest that was a struggle. Both teams struggled offensively but the Lady Jays pulled away in the closing minutes to get the win.  Kealee Rains led the Lady Jays with 10 points.

Junction City led early 9-0, but Highland Park rallied to lead by three late in the second quarter, and by one at halftime, 18-17. The game was tied early in the fourth quarter.

Junction City is 3-3 on the season and 1-1 in the Centennial League, while Highland Park fell to 1-5 and 0-2.

Junction City hosts Topeka High on Tuesday and Manhattan on Friday.