PATRIOTS BORO BOUND FOR FIRST STATE APPEARANCE

JCHS vs Powell, March 4, 2014
Staff Photo by Mike Stanley, Jefferson County Post Sports

The Jefferson County Patriots boys’ basketball team are headed to the state tournament for the first time in school history. Powell High School struggled holding the crowd that was in attendance to see the Patriots make history. With the win Jefferson County continues to add to its now 30 wins (Most in school history) and arguably the best team to ever suit up for the Patriots. Jefferson County has now won the district tournament for the first time since 2000-2001, Won sub-state for the first time in school history, and now clinched a state tournament birth for the first time in school history as well.

The first quarter saw a determined Powell Panther team come out on their home court and open up a 5-0 advantage quickly. The Patriots would not score for the first four minutes and thirty seconds of the contest and the Panthers would hold a 9-2 lead with 2:35 remaining. Jefferson County would close the quarter on an 8-0 run however, and lead 10-9 after one quarter. The Patriots would continue their run in the second, pushing their scoring run to 12-0 and stretching their lead to 24-15 at the half. The two teams would match each other’s buckets in the third and Jefferson County would take a nine point advantage into the final quarter,36-27. It was very evident in the fourth when Powell saw its chance slipping away, they would show frustration and heartache with every foul they committed. With just over a minute to play, the Jefferson County student section started chanting “we are……..state bound” and the celebration began, as Jefferson County’s 38 year drought was coming to an end, with the final of 55-39.

“I’m just lucky” Jefferson County Head Coach Chris Poore said. “I’m blessed to have the group of guys I have.”

The state bound Patriots were lead in scoring by junior John Bryant with 26 points, followed by fellow big man Brice Cusick with 8. Noah Carter also scored 8 points, while senior Corey Jenkins chipped in 6. Kyle Briggs and Malik Styles added 4 and 3 respectively.