Washburn Rural tallied up another big time win last night. The Jr. Blues beat the defending Centennial League Champions, the Junction City Blue Jays, 59-56 on a rainy January night.

Washburn Rural (9-3, 3-0 league play) came off a second place finish at the Bill Hanson Memorial Tournament in Pittsburg. They beat a very good team in Joplin, and a highly talented team from Webster Groves(OK). They lost to Owasso(OK) in the championship, 38-64. Junction City(9-3, 2-1 league play) was coming off a loss to Wichita Heights in the Tournament of Champions, in Dodge City.

Rural used its fast start to build a 27-22 halftime lead. The second half was neck and neck, both teams trading baskets. It was a big time three point shot by senior Kaden Ballard that pushed the Jr. Blues lead to 48-40 late in the fourth quarter. Junction City responded with a quick basket of their own to cut the deficit to 6. Then a fast break dunk by senior Amare Jones had the “Blue Haven” jumping. Rural held on to win the game 59-56 outlasting a late comeback push from JC.

Four Jr. Blues scored in double figures led by a team-high 13 points from both senior Amare Jones and junior Simon Rowley. Ballard shot 67 percent from 3-point land, scoring 11 points. Junior John Hoytal tallied 10 points, along with 6 rebounds.

Washburn Rural will travel to Stilwell and face the 9-3 Blue Valley Tigers. Rural currently holds a two year win streak against the Tigers. The game will tip off at 7 p.m.