2A Sub State Boys Semifinals from Horton HS on Friday night

Jackson Heights 78, KC Christian 36

The top seeded Cobras came out on fire and never cooled off hitting five treys and scoring 29 points in the first quarter.  Jackson Heights used a 16-4 second frame to increase the lead to 45-15 at halftime and forced a running clock throughout the fourth period while all their starters rested on the bench.  Westin Jacobsen scored 12 of his season high 22 points in the opening frame while Mason Thomas and Zane Richter each hit early treys and finished with 13 points and Wyatt Olberding added 10. 

The Cobras won their 11th straight game and made 11 three-pointers in the lopsided loss as they frustrated KC Christian early and never game the Panthers a chance.  11 players scored as Jackson Heights improved to 20-2 and is within one more win of returning to state. 

KC Christian, with only one senior on their roster, got 11 points from Mitchell Paul and 10 from Davis Gunnigle before both players fouled out in the fourth quarter.  The Panthers end their season with a 10-12 record.   

Jeff County North 52, Troy 41

Using a 7-2 run to close out the first quarter, the Chargers never relinquished the lead as they avenged a loss in Sub State to Troy a year ago and another overtime setback against the Trojans this past December.  JCN led 17-11 after one stanza and was ahead 30-19 at halftime. 

The lone Troy senior that played, Luke Smith, hit back-to-back three's to start the second half and Cuttar Huss and Wil Smith followed with baskets as Troy got within 30-29, but Wil missed a free throw to tie the game and JCN responded from a timeout to go on a 6-0 run and regain a double-digit lead with an 11-2 spurt to close the third quarter.  That run was keyed by Bryce Noll who scored a game high 19 points for the Chargers and Troy never threatened in the fourth frame.  

Elijah Meyer added 11 points as JCN dominated the rebounds and controlled the inside game on both ends of the floor.  The Chargers also got 19 points off their bench and made 11 of 16 free throws while improving to 18-4 on the season.  Coach Jim Brickell won his 505th game and extended the season for seven JCN seniors.  JCN will get a third shot at NEKL rival Jackson Heights who beat them 63-36 and 69-42 earlier this season.  

Troy ends their year at 19-4 with their first Twin Valley League Tournament Title, but still denied a state berth which has eluded them since 1998.  They got 13 points from Cuttar Huss and 10 from Wil Smith, but made only three shots behind the arc and went 2 of 9 from the foul line while finishing 23 points off their season per game average.  It was the lowest scoring game of the season for the Trojans.