Jayhawk men hand loss to Yates Center, improve to 9-2 for season

Jayhawk junior Gus Grote had a double double against the Yates Center Wildcats on Monday. (Journal file photo)

Jayhawk-Linn High School’s men’s basketball team pushed its overall record to 9-2 on Monday, Jan. 23, by downing the Yates Center Wildcats 46-38 at home. The win increased the Jayhawks’ winning streak to three after beating Uniontown and Prairie View in a midseason tourney at Uniontown last week.

The Jayhawk got behind in the first quarter, scoring 10 points to the Wildcats’ 13. But they made up ground in the second quarter to lead Yates Center 23-22 at the half.

The defense of both schools kicked in during the third quarter, with the Jayhawks managing 7 points to the Wildcats’ 8, and Yates Center evened the score at 30-30 going into the fourth period.

From there it was all Jayhawks as they scored 16 points to the Wildcats’ 8 and took the win.

Jayhawk junior Gus Grote and sophomore Braeden Nation were top scorers for the ‘Hawks. Grote had 19 points including three free throws, 15 rebounds, three assists and two steals. Nation had 17 points including a 3-point shot and two free throws, two rebounds and two steals.

Senior Austin Nation hit the basket on two 3-point attempts, and junior Bryton Spencer sunk two free throws and a field goal plus three steals.

Overall, the Jayhawks shot 44% on field goals, 30% on 3-pointers and 44% on the line.

The Jayhawks next host Southeast Cherokee (7-2) on Friday, Jan. 27. The JLHS Courtwarming ceremony will take place during halftime of the game.