A year ago, the Jefferson County North girls started off the season with three straight wins, before finishing just 8-14.

Four starters return from last year’s squad, and the Lady Chargers started this season strong with a 50-16 win over McLouth Friday night.

Although the Lady Chargers had four starters back, it was the newcomer to the starting lineup that made the difference early. Senior Carley Elias nailed four jumpers from the baseline in the opening quarter to give JCN a 14-6 lead after one.

The Lady Charger defense stepped up in the second frame allowing only two points to the Lady Bulldogs giving JCN a 23-8 lead at the break. Elias led the Lady Chargers scoring 10 points in the first half.

Sophomore starters Annabelle Vaught and Ravyn Jobbins helped out Elias in the second half scoring six points each. McLouth was only able to muster four points in the third and fourth quarters allowing the JCN lead to balloon and ultimately have a running clock in the final quarter.

Elias finished with 16 points in her starting debut, while Vaught chipped in 10.

Jefferson County North: Carley Elias – 16; Annabelle Vaught – 10; Julie Schrick – 7; Ravyn Jobbins – 6; Jentry Seichepine – 6; Crystal Feldkamp – 2; Kaitlyn Schnieder – 2; Ella Weishaar – 1.

McLouth: Sarah Dailey – 5; Kimi Patterson – 5; Ceara Funk – 3; Justina Williams – 2; Dominique Tullis – 1.

Boys

The boys teams of Jefferson County North and McLouth entered the 2015-16 season with two completely different makeups.

For the Chargers, they brought back a team with depth and experience, while the Bulldogs brought back just one starter.

On Friday night, experience won as the Chargers dominated McLouth 73-25.

JCN led 26-11 after one, powered by seven points apiece from senior Elijah Meyer and sophomore Brayden Summers. The Charger defense stepped up in the second quarter preventing the Bulldogs from scoring to push the lead to 48-11 at the half. Summers finished the first half with 11 points, while senior Bryce Noll also added 11.

JCN continued their strong play in the third, scoring 15 points making the score 63-20 to create a running clock in the fourth.

Noll began his senior campaign with 14 points on four 3-pointers. Summers chipped in 13 points, while Meyer contributed nine.

Jefferson County North: Bryce Noll – 14; Brayden Summers – 13; Elijah Meyer – 9; Braden Schneider 8; Nick Funk – 6; Spencer Hubbard – 5; Jake Brickell – 5; Cole Bryant – 5; Brysen Weishaar – 2; Avery Noll – 2; Boston Lane – 2.

McLouth: Tanner Zink – 9; Jack Arnett – 8; Brody Troupe – 3; Zach Zule – 2; Josh Welsh – 2; Caleb Richardson – 1.

JCN (1-0) hosts Immaculata on Tuesday, while McLouth (0-1) travels to Horton.