Redskins And Bluejays Split Doubleheader At The Nest!
Lady Bluejays Get The Win Over Knox! 
Redsinks Get The Win Over North Judson!
Yet another great chapter written in the intense rivalry between Knox and North Judson. For the second time this year the four teams would meet, this time with positioning in the Hoosier North Athletic Conference on the line! The first game would feature the rematch of the girls teams, as the Lady Redskins had topped the Lady Bluejays 36-34 on December 23rd. The level of intensity was every bit as high the second time around as the two teams would be on the attack in every way possible from start to finish.
The first quarter would belong to the Lady Bluejays, as North Judson came out ready to explode, which is exactly what they did as they built up a nine point lead with the horn sounded at the end of the first quarter. In what might have been the biggest surprise of the first half (at least for those of us on the outside looking in) would be the offensive production of North Judson Sophomore Olivia Burkett. The 5’7 guard would come out of the gate firing on all cylinders as she exploded for fourteen first half points, leading all scorers in the half, and helping the Lady ‘Jays maintain the lead throughout the first half of play. On the defensive end, it would be star Lily Frasure who would take charge, leading her team to six total steals in the first two quarters, while chipping in eight points. With the Redskins needing a spark in the scoring column, they too would turn to an unlikely source as Junior Madison Moss would put up five points in the first half, including a big three-point shot early! Moss, along with Junior point guard Megan Bolen would combine for twelve of Knox’s twenty-three first half points, as the Lady Redskins outscored the Lady Bluejays fourteen to ten in the second quarter to cut their deficit down to five points, 28-23, when the horn sounded to end the first half.
When the third quarter rolled around, it was hard for anyone to guess what would or could happen, as the two Starke County teams emerged from their respective locker rooms. What ended up happening would be a lot of back and forth between the two teams. Each time one would punch, the other would counter, with the Lady Redskins once again cutting into the deficit, outscoring the Lady Bluejays ten to eight, making it a 36-33 game heading into the final quarter of play. It would be the combination of Abby Chambers, Lily Frasure, and Sophie Frasure who would provide the biggest difference in the second half for the Lady ‘Jays, as the trio combined for seventeen of the team’s twenty-two second half points. In addition to the consistent second half scoring, would also be consistent defense, as North Judson would force Knox into committing ten turnovers in the second half, compared to just five committed by the Lady Bluejays. The Lady ‘Jays would also do a solid job taking care of business at the free throw line. After going six-for-six in the first half, North Judson would be on the attack throughout the third and fourth quarters, often times finding themselves at the free-throw line where they would go seven-for-ten. In all the Lady Bluejays would outscore the Lady Redskins by eight at the line going seventeen for twenty-two with a conversion rate of seventy-seven percent, while Knox was nine-for-twelve for seventy-five percent. When the final horn sounded, the Lady ‘Jays came out on top with a fifty to forty-six win over the Lady Redskins.
One of the best moments of the night came in the third quarter with 3:24 remaining. Off an inbounds pass, Knox Senior Felicity Olejniczak hit a 3-point shot, which put her over the 1,000 point mark for her career, making her the second 1,000 point scorer for the Lady Redskins, joining teammate Remi Jordan in that exclusive club. The game paused momentarily to allow the sparse, socially distanced crowed to acknowledge the great achievement by Olejniczak.
The Starke County Co-Op Play of the Game on WKVI came late in the game when Lily Frasure knocked down a pair of free-throws to give the Lady Bluejays a two possession lead with only seconds remaining in the game.
The Ashley Derrickson/Five Star Player of the Game on WKVI went to North Judson Sophomore Olivia Burkett, who exploded in the scoring column in the first half, pouring in a team-high fourteen points, on her way to a game-high fifteen. She also pulled down four rebounds and logged three steals in the win!
In part two of the double-header, the two boys teams would keep the excitement rolling. The Redskins would jump out early on the home-standing Bluejays, as they looked to utilize their 6’6 Sophomore center Declan Austin early and often. With great ball handling and distribution by the likes of Cade Short and Owen Binkley, the big center was given plenty of opportunities to get the ball in the basket, which he was able to do at a consistent clip in the first half, leading all scorers with eleven first half points! As a team, the Redskins would apply intense pressure on North Judson, forcing the Bluejays into four turnovers in the first quarter on their way to an eighteen to twelve lead at the end of the first quarter. Not to be outdone, North Judson big-man Kelson Jordan, a 6’7 Sophomore, would be able to notch nine first half points keeping things very competitive between the two sophomore centers. Both teams would also benefit from some quality outside shooting, as the Bluejays would knock down four first half three-point shots while the Redskins would connect on three. Knox Senior guard Ethan Wakal would hit two of Knox’s three, giving them a huge boost in the second half, as the Redskins would build up a ten point lead as the two teams retreated to their locker rooms at the half.
For the most part, the second half would actually belong to North Judson. The ‘Jays would get a major boost from Junior Payton Cox who, after being held to just two points in the first half, would erupt for twelve in the second, including to made three-pointers on his way to a twelve point performance. While the ‘Jays outscored the Redskins fifteen to ten in the third quarter, it would be the Knox defense that would prevent North Judson from gaining long stretches of momentum, as the Redskins would force the Bluejays into six third quarter turnovers. When the horn sounded to end the third quarter, the Redskins’ lead was still intact, but down to five points at forty-three to thirty-eight. The Redskins would continue holding off the Bluejays attack in the fourth quarter, as they became more deliberate with the ball on the offensive end of the floor. The Bluejays, however would continue to chip away at the lead, inching their way closer to the Redskins as the clock continued to tick down. With the score tied at forty-eight, the Redskins put up a shot that did not fall, but a great effort by Austin would result in a rebound for Knox, after which he would be fouled. The foul was called in the act of shooting, giving the Sophomore two free-throws with just three tenths of a second remaining. Austin would knock down his first attempt, giving Knox the lead at forty-nine to forty-eight. With only three tenths of a second remaining, Austin would intentionally miss his second attempt, not allowing the Bluejays enough time to get a shot off, giving the Redskins their fifth win of the season and snapping a two-game losing streak!
The Starke County Co-Op Play of the Game on WKVI came in the fourth quarter when Declan Austin hit a free throw to give Knox a one point lead with just three tenths of a second remaining to give the Redskins a huge road victory.
The Ashley Derrickson/Five Star Player of the Game on WKVI went to Knox Senior Cade Short, who scored fourteen points, while pulling down seven rebounds, and grabbing seven steals in helping the Redskins to their fifth win of the season!
Girls Game Statistics
Scoring
NJSP(50): Abby Chambers-6, Olivia Burkett-15, Adalynn Harper-2, Sophie Frasure-11, Lilliann Frasure-14, Morgan Hensley-2
Knox(46): Riley Messer-5, Megan Bolen-10, Remi Jordan-8, Felicity Olejniczak-9, Madison Moss-8, Preston Minix-6
Made 3-Point Shots
Knox(5): Felicity Olejniczak-1, Madison Moss-2, Preston Minix-2
NJSP(3): Olivia Burkett-1, Sophie Frasure-2
Free Throw Shooting
NJSP: 17-22 77%
Knox: 9-12 75%
Rebounding
Knox(24): Riley Messer-1, Megan Bolen-9, Remi Jordan-7, Felicity Olejniczak-1, Brianna Korcha-1, Madison Moss-3, Preston Minix-2
NJSP(24): Abby Chambers-4, Olivia Burkett-4, Sophie Frasure-5, Lily Frasure-9, Morgan Hensley-2
Steals
NJSP(9): Olivia Burkett-3, Adalynn Harper-1, Lily Frasure-4, Morgan Hensley-1
Knox(8): Riley Messer-2, Felicity Olejniczak-5, Madison Moss-1
Boys Game Statistics
Scoring
Knox(49): Gunner Wagner-4, Cade Short-14, Cohen Watson-2, Owen Binkley-6, Ethan Wakal-6, Trent Messer-2, Declan Austin-15
NJSP(48): Kelson Jordan-15, Blayne Wilcox-2, Trey Hampton-6, Kason Sanchez-6, Ty Schumacher-2, Cheyenne Allen-5, Payton Cox-12
Made 3-Point Shots
NJSP(7): Kelson Jordan-1, Trey Hampton-2, Kason Sanchez-1, Cheyenne Allen-1, Payton Cox-2
Knox(6): Cade Short-2, Owen Binkley-2, Ethan Wakal-2
Free Throw Shooting
Knox: 9-13 69%
NJSP: 3-8 37%
Rebounding
NJSP(22): Kelson Jordan-3, Blayne Wilcox-4, Trey Hampton-3, Kason Sanchez-1, Ty Schumacher-4, Owen Frasure-1, Cheyenne Allen-3, Payton Cox-3
Knox(17): Gunner Wagner-2, Cade Short-7, Cohen Watson-1, Owen Binkley-1, Ethan Wakal-2, Declan Austin-3, Alex Wakal-1
Steals
Knox(10): Gunner Wagner-3, Cade Short-4, Owen Binkley-2, Declan Austin-1
NJSP(4): Kason Sanchez-2, Cheyenne Allen-1, Payton Cox-1
*Statistical Information In This Article Provided By Kankakee Valley Broadcasting Staff. These Are Not Official Game Statistics*