Jimtown High School

Big D and quick start propel Jimmies to Sectional win By Red Williams Freelance Sportswriter LAKEVILLE - A ball-hawking, tenacious defense and a jack-rabbit start were the key elements that led Jimtown’s Jimmies to a 61-37 victory Friday night (3.6.26) over Knox. A crowd of several hundred was on hand for the Class 2A Sectional 34 contest in semi-final action. With the triumph, the Jimmies earn the right to face Bremen here Saturday night with a 7 o’clock tip-off for the title. The Lions had little trouble in dismantling the South Bend Career Academy, 69-48, in the preliminary game. Jimtown is the defending champion. Zander Whitaker, sophomore guard for the Jimmies, said, “I think our defensive intensity was the key.” The 6-foot-3 starter had a double-double for Jimtown with 19 points and 10 rebounds and senior Will Spurgeon tallied 18. A pressing zone defense appeared to have Knox flummoxed from the beginning, allowing the Redskins to score just seven points in the first quarter. Meanwhile the hot-shooting Jimmies notched 22 on the scoreboard. And there was no let-up in the second period as the Boys of Baugo raced to a 40-14 lead at the half. “That’s what I wanted to happen,” explained Jimmy Coach Ryan Varga. “Jump on them early and not have to play from behind. We wanted them to play at our pace.” Varga also applauded his squad for the way they moved the ball on offense: “When we share the ball, it’s a beautiful thing. Then good things happen.” The Jimmies experienced a bit of complacency in the third period, scoring just eight points, while the Redskins pushed their offense to an 11-point effort. Jimtown shot a blistering 47 percent from the floor, while holding Knox to 27 percent. Score by quarters: Jimtown 22 19. 8. 12 Knox 7 7 11 12 Officials: Jeff Rhody, Ryan Eakins, Ryan Ely