When is a scrimmage not a scrimmage? When it perfectly replicates what you'll be seeing when the season kicks off.
That was the scenario for the Blair Oaks boys basketball team, which entered Friday night's Jamboree at Helias with tons of questions about its roster.
The Falcons left with at least a few of them answered.
"What was most important for us tonight is we actually gained varsity experience," Blair Oaks coach Ryan Fick said. "I know it's a scrimmage-type situation, but we really had only one guy returning that had a measurable amount of experience.
"So tonight was about gaining some experience at a varsity-type game in front of a crowd and with referees, which was a first for us this season."
The format of the Jamboree featured the Falcons playing scrimmages against both Jefferson City and Helias. Each consisted of three periods lasting six minutes apiece.
Blair Oaks started the night against Jefferson City and had to quickly adjust to the way fouls were being called by the referees.
"That was just as important as anything tonight with the way they're emphasizing hand-checking and physical play this year," Fick said. "It gave us an idea of what to expect when the season starts. We'll have to adjust some things."
The Falcons led the Jays 13-9 after one period thanks in part to Cody Alexander drilling a 3-pointer as time expired, setting a trend for the night.
Blair Oaks, clinging to a 17-16 lead as time dwindled in the second period, executed perfectly to set up Jordan Null for a layup with :03 left, and the lead was 19-16 heading to the final period.
It set up a fantastic finish.
With the Falcons up 23-21, the Jays got three cracks in the lane before Indiana University signee O.G. Anunoby tipped in the third chance with 1:09 left to tie the game.
Blair Oaks' Kory Franks drilled a 3-pointer with :39 left, only to see Anunoby answer with one of his own 11 seconds later.
After the Falcons turned the ball over with :15 remaining, Anunoby coolly drained a 3 as time expired to give the Jays a 29-26 win.
"He showed right there what type of player he is," Fick said. "When it comes crunch time, guys like him, they crave that spotlight. I think we had three guys flying at him on that last shot."
Franks ended up with 11 points to pace the Falcons, while Alexander added eight.
Blair Oaks then played Helias, which has the bulk of its players back after finishing third in the state in Class 4 last season, and dropped a 50-35 decision. Helias led 22-14 after one period and 35-24 after two. Alexander paced the Falcons with 11 points, while Owen Luebbering and Ryan Paschal had six apiece.
Blair Oaks opens the season Dec. 2 in the Eugene Tournament.