The Jamestown High School girls basketball team needed a second half spark and Megan Gaffaney provided one.
With the Blue Jays leading Williston 33-28 at halftime, the senior scored eight of the first 10 points and found sophomore post player Katherine Horgan for the assist on the other basket.
"She played a whale of a game again," said Blue Jay girls basketball coach Andy Skunberg. "We kind of leaned on her a little bit for four possessions. She had good inside position to score, had a kick out for three, got a big offensive rebound we needed. She played hard again tonight."
Gaffaney took a rest but her team kept a 23-3 run going as Jamestown defeated Williston 67-60 Friday night at Jerry Meyer Arena.
"Gaffaney really led us," said senior guard Olivia Nihill. "She really got us excited and we were ready to play after she got us going."
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Overall, Gaffaney led the way with 13 points, sophomore guard Kameron Selvig had 11 points off the bench and Horgan had 10 points.
Jamestown came out of the gate in the first half with a full-court press. The Blue Jays forced 31 turnovers in the game with many coming in the first half.
"After watching tape this is one team we can press," Skunberg said. "We make it look ugly and fly around. We're doing a good job of trapping and taking that next pass away."
Williston held its own despite the press. The Coyotes took the lead three times and tied the contest twice.
Jamestown took a commanding 58-41 lead at one point in the second half but Williston went on a quick 9-3 run to reduce the deficit to 11.
The Coyotes ran out of time for their comeback as Jamestown sealed the game with free throws.
The Blue Jays travel to Turtle Mountain today to face the Bravettes.
"Obviously they're struggling a little bit," Skunberg said. "But when you have to go on a four-hour road trip after a hard fought game tonight. We have to come ready to go, we can't take anything for granted."
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Girls
WIL 28 32 -- 60
JAM 33 34 -- 67
WILL-Makia Remus 15, Danielle Stauffer 13, Brooklyn Douglas 9, Emily Jaegar 7, Emily Lux 4, Bridget Carvey 2, Madison Mehlhoff 2, Katherine Fearing 1. Totals: 24-58 FG, 7-22 3-PT, 5-11 FT, 44 Rebounds (13 Offensive), 20 Assists, 31 Turnovers.
JAM-Megan Gaffaney 13, Kameron Selvig 11, Katherine Horgan 10, Olivia Nihill 9, Alyssa Ukestad 8, Courtney Peterson 6, Jessica Walters 6, Jessa Anderson 4. Totals: 23-54 FG, 4-23 3-PT, 17-30 FT, 30 Rebounds, 19 Assists, 23 Turnovers, 9 Steals.
Records: Williston 2-12 West Region, 4-13 overall; Jamestown 8-6, 11-6.
Boys
WIL 34 35 -- 69
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JAM 31 50 -- 81
WIL-Koby Klassen 21, Will Brown 17, Jorn Everson 7, Reed Hanson 6, Paul MacSteves 5, Dawson Sheets 5, Sam Olson 4, Brady Aberle 2, Garrett Hill 2. Totals: 28 FG, 7 3-PT, 8-14 FT, 21 Fouls (Paul McSteves).
JAM-Mason Walters 29, Boden Skunberg 24, Jared Kallenbach 8, Bryan Mosolf 6, Ryder Lunzman 6, Aaron Kleven 3. Totals: 29 FG, 3 3-PT, 20-27 FT, 10 Fouls.
Records: Jamestown 7-7 West Region, 9-8 overall; Williston 1-12, 3-14.
