Jeremy Ratliff
Reporter
Tuesday evening, the Bluejay boys punched in their fourth consecutive win of the season in toppling GNC powerhouse Medford 54-45 at the MHS Field House. The win marks the best start for the Jays in nearly 15 years.
The guys jumped out to a 26-23 lead at the half and found much of the same tooth and nail fight in the second.
Following a stalemate at 40 points around the 6 minute mark in the second, the Jays broke it wide open with 14 points to nail down the 54-45 win.
Junior Guard Zach Mootz enjoyed another solid night with 20 pts (5/13 FG, 3/9 3pt, 7/9 FT, 4r, a, st). Sophomore Quinn Steckbauer sank another 12 points (3/6 FG, 2/3 3 pt, 4/4 FT, r, a); while Jared Ollhoff added 11 pts (1/3 FG, 1/1 FT, 4r).
MFD: 23 22-45
MER: 26 28-54
Tangle with Shawano
Friday night, the Jays kicked off a 3-game home stand in squaring off with Shawano in their season home opener. The guys shot out of the blocks with a vengeance in mounting an early and considerable 32-17 lead in the first. Despite a 33 point rally from the Hawks in the 2nd, the Jays rode a 12-point lead to the buzzer, 62-50 and making it 3-0 to start the season.
“I thought the best thing we did was finish the game out at the free throw line,” comments head coach Jake Schalow.
“Quinn Steckbauer was very good to finish the game, by going 8 of 8 from the free-throw line with under 4 minutes to go.
“Also, I thought our attention to detail and focus was as good as it has been this year. It was something that we talked about the whole week leading up to the game, as was something that we will need this season consistently.
Junior Jared Ollhoff paced the Jays with 16 points on the night (7/12 FG, 2/2 FT, 6r, st) followed by Steckbauer with 14 (3/7 FG, 8/8 FT, 3r, 3a, st) and Chase Bonnell with 12 points (5/8 FG, 2/3 3 pt, 6r, 2a).
SNO: 17 33- 50
MER: 32 30- 62