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The first two days of the 27th Annual Jefferson County North Invitational are in the books. Four games have been played leaving us with just four teams still in the hunt for the championship.
Day 1: Cornerstone vs. Perry-Lecompton, ACCHS vs. Oskaloosa
(Pool A)Cornerstone 41, Perry-Lecompton 31
It was the first game of the tournament on Monday with both teams trading baskets to begin the ballgame. Neither team was able to gain the upper hand in the first half, but Cornerstone was able to grab a 23-22 lead at the half. The third quarter was where this contest was won as Cornerstone held the Lady Kaws to just seven points in the period to take a 36-29 lead into the final frame. Both teams then combined to score only seven points in the fourth quarter which allowed Cornerstone to come away with a 41-31 win.
(Pool B) ACCHS 50, Oskaloosa 28
The ACCHS Lady Tigers got off to a hot start in the night cap on Monday night as seniors Blair Fowler and Lillie Holtgrave combined for 17 points in the opening frame to give ACCHS a 25-8 lead. The Lady Tigers were able to work on that lead as they extended it to 25 points by halftime. ACCHS then came out in the third quarter and only scored eight points, but their defense held the Lady Bears to just five points giving them a 46-18 lead after three quarters of play. This gave the Lady Tigers a running clock in the fourth quarter as they cruised to a 50-28 opening round win. The victory pushed ACCHS to 9-2 overall on the season despite shooting just 1-8 from the free throw line. Lillie Holtgrave and Blair Fowler each scored 11 points to lead the Lady Tigers while Maddy Miller scored nine points to lead the Lady Bears in the loss.
Day 2: Valley Falls vs. Perry-Lecompton, JCN vs. Oskaloosa
(Pool A) Valley Falls 38, Perry-Lecompton 36
The Valley Falls Lady Dragons who were fresh off their new #6 ranking in Class 2A took to the floor in the first game on Tuesday night and they quickly realized they were in for a much tougher game than many people expected. Valley Falls did start the game off in rhythm though as they jumped out to a 14-7 lead after the first quarter. Perry was then able to start to chipping away at the Valley lead and they got it down to four heading into halftime.
The Lady Dragons came out in third quarter with a newly lit fire underneath them as they jumped all over the Lady Kaws to begin the second half, extending their lead to 11 points. It was then time for the Sophomore duo of Lexia Jamison and Harleigh Robertson to take over for Perry. The two combined for 9 points in the quarter to pull the Lady Kaws back within two heading into the final frame. The two teams then traded baskets to begin the fourth quarter and that continued all the way until the final buzzer.
It all started with 31 seconds to go with Valley clinging to a two point lead. Perry had the basketball out of a timeout and Head Coach Lisa Surface decided to put the basketball into the hands of Jamison. After Jamison missed a potential game-tying shot from the left wing, her teammate Shelby Easum picked up the lose ball rebound and got it back into the hands of Jamison with 15 seconds left. Jamison then drove down the middle of the lane and threw up a shot that eventually fell down to tie up the ballgame at 36 with 12 seconds to go. The Lady Dragons then had their chance to win it, but Jenna Kramer's three point shot was off the mark which made it look like overtime was in the sights. Unfortunately for the Lady Kaws a foul was called on the rebound which meant Sydney Gish would at the line for a one-and-one opportunity. The front end of the one-and-one was off the mark but with one second left Kramer grabbed the rebound and put it back up and in for a 38-36 Valley Falls victory.
In the win for the Lady Dragons they were led in scoring by Ali Brown as the junior dropped in 16 points. Perry was paced in the loss by Jamison and Robertson as the two scored 14 and 12 points, respectively.
(Pool B) Jefferson County North 46, Oskaloosa 29
The final game of the night was all Chargers from the start as they jumped out to a 12-5 lead after the first. JCN then extended that lead in the second to put them on top 24-11 at the half. The second half was a near mirror image of the first with the Lady Chargers coming out hot as they extended their 13 point halftime lead to 17 points heading into the fourth. Oskaloosa did come out in the fourth and hold JCN to just nine points, but it was too late as the lead for the Lady Chargers was insurmountable giving them 46-29 win.
The Lady Chargers were led in the win by freshman Annabella Vaught as she had 13 points while junior Maddy Miller paced Oskaloosa with 14 points in the loss.
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The tournament will get back underway on Friday with Valley Falls taking on Cornerstone at 6:00, while JCN will go up against ACCHS around 7:30. Each game can be seen on KAIR TV as the two match ups will determine who will be in the championship game on Saturday.
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