If Friday night is any indication, the Jefferson City Jays are itching to get the basketball season started.
The Jays got off to great starts in both of their scrimmages in the Jamboree at Helias and cruised to victories against Blair Oaks and Fatima.
Jefferson City started the night by jumping out to a 28-11 lead against Blair Oaks in their scrimmage at Rackers Fieldhouse that was made up of three six-minute periods, and they posted a 40-34 win.
The Jays then ended things by racing out to a 27-9 edge against Fatima in the Helias Gym before notching a 33-16 win in a game shortened to two seven-minute periods.
"I think that needs to be something we try to do each time out," Jefferson City head coach Blair Thompson said. "We talk about it in practice a lot. Last year, we struggled with that and we found ourselves playing catch-up. But this is what you get when you have an older team like we do with as many seniors as we have."
Against Blair Oaks, Jefferson City held a slim 13-9 lead after one quarter, but went on a 15-2 run to start the second to take control.
The Falcons walked the lead down to 28-18 by the end of the second quarter and outscored the Jays 16-12 in the final period as Jefferson City got plenty of playing time for a variety of substitutes.
"We feel like we've got some guys who can play down the bench," Thompson said. "We've got some young guys we're looking at, and nights like this are all about that. Everybody wants to win, I understand that, but in the grand scheme of things, there's 25 games we're getting ready to play and we'd rather win those."
Kamari Balton led Jefferson City with 11 points, while Tim Nahach chipped in 10.
Against Fatima, the Jays took a 22-9 lead after one period and scored the first five points of the second to take their biggest lead before settling for the 17-point victory.
Caleb Burruss, like Nahach one of Jefferson City's post players, scored all of his team-high eight points in the first period.
"(Nahach and Burruss) gave us good minutes last year when they got a chance ... and now they're getting a full-time chance and I think they're excited about it," Thompson said. "I know we are as coaches and looking forward to seeing their hard work pay off."
Jacob Gourley and Rhylin Spence added seven points each in the victory.
The Jays open the season Dec. 1 at the Marshall Tournament.
Additional coverage for this Jamboree:
Blair Oaks plays in Jamboree with less than full roster
Lady Falcons fall in Jamboree contests
Bunch stars for Fatima at Jamboree
Comets learning from losses in Jamboree
Helias offense shines at Jamboree
Lady Crusaders get Eagan era off on right foot
Jays cruise to wins at Jamboree