Bluejays Claw Out Win At Weinberg
The game lived up to the billing! As the latest chapter was written in one of the most historic rivalries in the State of Indiana Tuesday night, fans were treated to an intense, back-and-forth game resulting in victory for the North Judson San-Pierre Bluejays at the newly remodeled Weinberg Gymnasium in Knox!
It was very clear that neither team was in midseason form, but that did not take away from the intensity of the game between the Redskins and Bluejays. The Redskins would jump out to a 7-6 lead at the end of the first quarter, as both teams struggled to get their footing early in the ballgame, partially due to extremely physical defense at both ends of the floor. From an offensive standpoint, it would be somewhat of a struggle for both the Bluejays and the Redskins, as the two teams battled back and forth throughout the first half. The Redskin trio of Gunner Wagner, Cade Short, and Owen Binkley would shoulder the bulk of the scoring for Knox, putting up twelve of the team’s thirteen first half points. For the Bluejays, Blayne Wilcox and Payton Cox would account for nine of their first half points, as the two teams found themselves deadlocked at thirteen when the horn sounded to end the first half of play.
The second half would see much more activity in the scoring column, as the two teams became more comfortable in the game. The Bluejays would get a major second half contribution from 6’5 Sophomore Kelson Jordan in the final two quarters. After being held scoreless in the first half, Jordan would drop eight points in the third and fourth quarters, giving the Redskins’ defense another option to be concerned with. Junior Payton Cox would also pick up the pace in the scoring column, putting up eight of his team-high twelve points in the third and fourth quarters, while doing much of the ball handling as well at his point guard position. Junior Blayne Wilcox would prove to be one of the more consistent scorers in the game for North Judson, putting up eleven points in the game, scoring five in the first half, and six in the second. The Redskins, meanwhile, would get a huge scoring explosion from one of their Senior leaders, as Gunner Wagner would put up fourteen of his game-high eighteen points in the final two quarters.
Ultimately, the balanced scoring attack of the North Judson Bluejays would be too much for the Redskins. The ‘Jays would have seven individuals score at least two points in the second half compared to just four for Knox. In the end, North Judson would edge out Knox in every category on their way to earning their second win of the year.
“I liked the way our kids continued to battle” Bluejays Head Coach Kent Chezem said following the game. “A guy like Cheyenne Allen, saddled with foul trouble all night, and didn’t let it get to him. Two kids who came off the bench for us and made really big plays” Chezem continued, “Kason Sanchez and Owen Frasure. Those are two guys that didn’t play basketball last year, they’ve kind of been in and out. They were a huge part of our football success, but those two guys made some really key plays in the second half tonight, coming off the bench. Payton Cox” Chezem said with a smile growing on his face, “What can you say about him? He finally played like I know he can play. I thought he was dynamic tonight. He did some things on both ends of the floor that really helped us out tonight. Quinn Bales came in and played a couple minutes in the first half, as a freshman came in and did a nice job. We got some nice contributions from everybody”.
Despite the loss, Knox Head Coach Rob Krueger was able to remain upbeat with his team’s effort.
“I though our kids did a really nice job of sticking to the game plan. Declan Austin came in off the bench and gave us a big boost tonight. He has a ways to go, but we’re liking how he’s developing as a player. Offensively, I thought Gunner Wagner did a great job” Krueger continued. “It was a pretty physical game out there, he was frustrated a little it early on, but then he came on in the second half and had a big half for us. I thought defensively, Cade Short did a nice job tonight, Trent Messer did a nice job, Owen Binkley ran the point for us, handled the ball real well. You kind of got that feeling that whoever made the last run would be the team to get the win and that’s kind of how it played out”.
The Starke County Co-Op Play of the Game on WKVI came with 1:20 left in the fourth quarter, when Kason Sanchez knocked down two free throws to make the score 41-37, pushing it to a two possession game, keeping the comeback bid out of the reach of Knox.
The Ashley Derrickson/Five Star Player of the Game on WKVI went to Junior Payton Cox who led the Bluejays in scoring with twelve points, while pulling down eleven rebounds, and handling the point guard responsibilities throughout the game.
North Judson will be back in action on December 29th, when they take on Mishawaka Marian in the first round of the Mishawaka Marian Classic, while Knox will get back to work on December 30th, when they play Whitko in the first round of the First Source Bank Plymouth Holiday Tournament.
Game Statistics
Scoring
NJSP(47): Kelson Jordan-8, Blayne Wilcox-11, Trey Hampton-4, Kason Sanchez-2, Payton Cox-12, Owen Frasure-4, Cheyenne Allen-3
Knox(41): Gunner Wagner-18, Cade Short-6, Owen Binkley-8, Trenton Messer-1, Declan Austin-8
Made 3-Point Shots
NJSP(2): Blayne Wilcox-1, Payton Cox-1
Knox(1): Owen Binkley
Free Throw Shooting
NJSP: 12-17 70%
Knox: 10-16 62%
Rebounding
NJSP(30): Kelson Jordan-3, Aldric Harper-1, Blayne Wilcox-8, Trey Hampton-2, Payton Cox-11, Ty Schumacher-2, Cheyenne Allen-3
Knox(22): Gunner Wagner-5, Cade Short-3, Cohen Watson-1, Owen Binkley-4, Trenton Messer-4, Declan Austin-5
Steals
NJSP(5): Blayne Wilcox-3, Trey Hampton-1, Cheyenne Allen-1
Knox(4): Gunner Wagner-1, Cohen Watson-1, Owen Binkley-2
*Statistical Information In This Article Provided By Kankakee Valley Broadcasting Staff. These Are Not Official Game Statistics*