Blue Jays sweep Valley City in opener

The Jamestown High School basketball teams kicked off the season with a sweep in Valley City on Saturday.

The Blue Jays won both games handily over the Hi-Liners, who are back in Class A after spending last season at the Class B level.

Kasey Gengler poured in 23 points as the JHS boys won the nightcap, 72-56.

Eight JHS girls scored four points or more to take the opener, 70-51.

Girls

The Blue Jays shot out of the gate, racing out to a 14-2 lead and never trailed.

The Hi-Liners slowly chipped away and got within 28-24 late in the second half.

But Lexi Sveum buried a three to end the first half and then knocked down another early triple to start the final 18 minutes.

Boys

The Valley City boys started fast, but the Blue Jays finished stronger.

The Hi-Liners led 17-13 midway through the first half, but Jamestown closed the opening stanza on a 24-13 run to take a 37-30 halftime lead.

Once in front, the Jays stayed there, dominating the final 18 minutes, limiting the Hi-Liners to 26 second-half points.

Gengler carried the load in the first half, pouring in 14 of his game-high 23 points. Jordan Thoreson finished with 18 points and Danny Fischer 13 for the winners.

The competition takes a big step up Friday for both JHS teams when they open West Region play at home against Mandan.

Girls

Jamestown 70, Valley City 51

Jamestown 31 39 — 70

Valley City 24 27 — 51

Jamestown — Levi Sveum 18, Niki Schmitz 9, Shelby Eamon 8, Kyra Dewald 11, Melissa McMillan 9, Mikayla Orr 7, Kayla Thoele 4. Totals not made available.

Valley City — Jenna Jacob 22, Allyson Suhr 8, Amanda Tangen 10, Sammy Johnson 2, McKenzie Schweitzer 8, Mariah Olstad 1.

Jamestown 72, Valley City 56

Jamestown 37 35 — 72

Valley City 30 26 — 56

Jamestown — Danny Fischer 13, Jordan Thoreson 18, Ryan Schlenker 1, Dyllan Anderson 2, Jordan Lynch 2, Kasey Gengler 23, Matt Johnson 7, Jacob Nieland 6.

Valley City — Matt Jorrissen 19, Trent Egan 5, Preston Myers 8, Tony Van Dyke 14, Shane Ost 8, Josh Magnuson 1, Chase Carpenter 1.

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