News-Times Staff
QUITMAN - A late rally fell just short, as Junction City saw their season come to an end with a 66-63 loss to Bay in the opening round of the 2A State Tournament Thursday afternoon.
The Dragons (18-10), the No. 3 seed from the South, trailed by eight with 25 seconds left, but gave themselves a chance to tie the game after Cam Frazier buried a 3-pointer and Harlandus Frazier scored to keep the Dragons’ comeback hopes alive.
With 1.6 seconds left, the Dragons got the ball with a chance for a potential game-tying 3-pointer, but Devontay Gilbert’s shot missed the mark, and the Yellowjackets (29-8), the North’s No. 2 seed, held on.
“The kids fought extremely hard and gave themselves a chance,” said Junction City coach Kendall Hutcheson. “I thought they showed a lot of heart, character and toughness. I’m proud of them.”
Junction City, who won the 8-2A District Tournament two weeks ago, finished the year with wins in nine of their last 11 outings.
Bay, winners of 13 of their last 14 games, squares off against England in the quarterfinals today. The Yellowjackets will try to join Lavaca as 2A schools that have reached the 30-win plateau this season.
The game was a nip-and-tuck affair throughout with the Dragons taking a 17-14 lead at the end of the first quarter before the Yellowjackets tied the game at 29-all at intermission.
The game was tied at 49 going into the final stanza.
Jakendall Henderson and Cam Frazier each scored 13 points with the duo combining for 11 of Junction City’s 14 points in the fourth quarter.
Harlandus Frazier scored 16 points to lead Junction City, who placed four players in double figures with Ryan Allen chipping in with 12 points.