Mother nature plans to bring buckets of snow on Friday so many area teams moved their games up by a day to ensure the games were completed. At Jackson Heights, the Cobras and Pleasant Ridge Rams did not disappoint.

GIRLS

In a rematch from December 18th, the Lady Cobras (12-3) looked to stay alive in their hopes at winning the North East Kansas League title this year, in order to do that they would have to avenge an earlier season defeat to the Rams from Pleasant Ridge (15-2).

Pleasant Ridge found themselves with the advantage early thanks to good play from Junior forward Kaija Nutsch. However the Cobras were awakened following a coach Dan Shupe timeout and their defense turned up the pressure. Junior Kylie Dohl who was held scoreless in the first 5 minutes of the game ended the first quarter with 6 points and Jackson Heights began their run. Jackson Heights led by as many as 14 in the first half and led at the halftime break by a score of 27-20. Jackson heights would extend their lead to 10 at 38-28 heading into the fourth quarter, and that's where coach Michael Koontz got the most out of his Lady Rams.

Outscoring Jackson Heights 15-3 in the 4th quarter, P-Ridge battled and for the second time this year overcame double digit deficits to beat Jackson Heights. The Rams overcame 15 turnovers and foul trouble with Senior Point Guard Lindsey Heim to win 43-41. Pleasant Ridge was led by Heim and Nutsch each with 15 points, but it was Senior Julie Miller's triple double that proved to be a huge reason why the Rams completed the comeback. Miller, named our Citizens State Bank & Trust Company of Hiawatha's Player To Bank On with 10 points, 12 rebounds and 10 blocks. Yes, 10 blocks for Miller. She was a force down low defensively, especially in the second half helping the Rams hold the Cobras to a mere 14 second half point total. Dohl and Amaya Marlatt paced the Cobras with 12 points respectively, but turnovers plagued Jackson Heights again tonight with 19.

Jackson Heights (12-4) now looks to bounce back Monday vs Maur Hill Mount Academy and try and stop their first 2 game losing streak this season, followed by games at Oskaloosa and McLouth to end the regular season next week.

Pleasant Ridge (16-2) will host McLouth next Tuesday before ending the regular season with what could be a game to decide the NEKL Champion this year as they travel to face Jefferson County North for the third time this year (each team with 1 win).

BOYS

Both teams entered Thursday's game winners of 3 out of their last 4 games, both teams desperate for a win to avoid having a .500 record and both teams remember how Jackson Heights escaped Easton in December 54-52.

Similar to the girls game, Pleasant Ridge jumped out early. Leading the Cobras 8-3 before Jackson Heights closed out the first quarter on a 15-4 run, due in large part to Senior Lane Thomas accounting for 9 of the Cobra 18 first quarter points. Thomas and fellow seniors Kolby Rethman, Tyrell Childs, Levi Olberding and Curtis Niehues would pace the Cobras and keep the Rams at arms length for most of the game. Jackson Heights would lead 29-24 at the half and 43-32 at the end of 3 quarters.

Pleasant Ridge would give one final push at the beginning of the 4th quarter jumping out with an 8-0 including 2 triple's from Freshman Walker Adams off the bench. That would draw the Rams within 3, before Jackson Heights slammed the door shut on any chance of a comeback. The Cobras would end the game on a 15-6 run to win 58-46. Thomas led the Cobras with 23 points including 3 trifectas, his large role in the win earned him our Citizens State Bank & Trust Company of Hiawatha's Player To Bank On.Olberding provided an offensive spark with 13 points with Niehues and Childs chipping in with 8 each and Rethman rounding out the Senior Scoring with 5 on the night. The Rams were led by Senior Jamar Reed who had 20 points while going 8-12 from the free throw line. Adams would provide 9 points off the bench and Justin Johnston with 7 for Pleasant Ridge.

Jackson Heights (9-7) will try to avenge an early season loss to Maur Hill Mount Academy at home on Monday to try and get into double digit wins yet again under coach Chris Brown, followed by games at Oskaloosa and McLouth to end the regular season next week.

Pleasant Ridge (9-9) will also try to avenge an early season loss, to McLouth at home Tuesday before finishing out the regular season against JCN.