1976 Grand State Champion Jackson Heights Lady Cobras

1976 Grand State Champion Jackson Heights Lady Cobras Trophy

On the final night of the high school basketball regular season the Jackson Heights Cobras hosted the Horton Chargers for Northeast Kansas League action. The night was full of action as the Horton girls earned a tough 40-30 road win, while Jackson Heights boys struck early picking up the 67-45 win to claim an unbeaten NEKL title. On top of the games the Cobras honored their 1976 Grand State Champions girls basketball team; one of only three Grand State Champions ever in Kansas history. 

Horton worked to a five point lead early but could extend it and Jackson Heights knotted up the game at 7-7 after one quarter of play. The Cobras fought to take their first lead in the second quarter at 12-11 and the teams traded leads the rest of the first half with Jackson Heights taking an 18-17 lead into halftime. In the second half the Chargers charged to a 28-18 lead holding the Cobras scoreless for half of the third quarter but the Cobras repaid the favor and finished the third on a 9-0 run to make it 28-27 after three quarters with Horton just holding on to the lead. In the fourth it was all Horton holding Jackson Heights scoreless in the fourth until under 30 seconds remaining in the game and posting a 12-3 fourth to gain the 40-30 win.

A trio of gals led Horton with double figures led by junior, Abby Ross who posted her best game of the year with 12 points earning her Citizens State Bank "Player to Bank On" honors on KNZA. Chelsey Trautloff and Madison Blackburn chipped in 11 and 10 points, respectively as the Chargers played through foul trouble in the contest. The win pushes Horton to 11-9 on the year and they finish 9-7 in the NEKL. 

The loss pushes Jackson Heights to 6-14 on the year and the Cobras finish 5-11 in the NEKL as Becca Gibson led the team with a season-high 16 points in the contest, making 9-11 free throws.

Jackson Heights boys struck early to pick up their ninth straight win as they cruised past Horton despite the Chargers hitting seven three's in the contest the Chargers unable to overcome an early large deficit and foul trouble. The Cobras led 16-6 after the first quarter, extended the lead to 36-19 at intermission as Zane Richter banked in a three-pointer at the buzzer before halftime. Horton tried to mount runs in the second half but Jackson Heights answered and finished the game off winning 67-45.

The win gives Jackson Heights an unbeaten 16-0 NEKL title, while moving them to 18-2 on the year overall. Richter led the Cobras with 28 points, scoring 17 points in the first half and earning Citizen's State Bank "Player to Bank On" honors on KNZA. Wyatt Olberding and Westin Jacobsen each added double figures with 14 and 11 points, respectively. 

Horton with the loss fell to 9-11 on the year and finishes 8-8 in the NEKL this year as Joe Winsea led the team tying his season high with 18 points. Channdler Knudson added 10 points in the loss for Horton. 

Both teams now turn their attention to postseason action with Sub-State play in Class 2A as Horton will host Sub-State. On Monday the Horton girls host KC Christian in the opening round, while the Jackson Heights girls travel to Jefferson County North. While on Tuesday the Horton boys travel to Jefferson County North and the Jackson Heights boys will host either McLouth or Heritage Christian.