Jays to host Helias in boys basketball

The Jefferson City Jays will finally play their first true home game of the season tonight, and they couldn't have picked a bigger atmosphere for it.

The Jays - who have played just three games at Fleming Fieldhouse this season, all of them in the Great 8 Classic - will host the Helias Crusaders at approximately 7:45 p.m. tonight as part of a tripleheader. A freshman game will start the action at 4:45 p.m., with the JV and varsity games to follow.

Helias has actually played a game at Fleming Fieldhouse more recently than Jefferson City - both played in the tournament's final day, with the Jays' action in the fifth-place game preceding the Crusaders' appearance in the championship game.

The Jays (10-5) are paced by junior guard Kamari Balton, who has either led or been tied for the lead in scoring for Jefferson City in its last four games. Included in that was a 28-point performance against William Chrisman in the Kaminsky Classic in Joplin.

But Balton isn't the only weapon for Jefferson City, as junior forward Gunnar See, senior guard Seth Stegeman, senior guard Rhylin Spence and junior guard Chuck Cooper have all been double-digit scorers for the Jays in recent outings.

The Crusaders (9-5) also boast a balanced attack, as senior guard Sam Husting (19.5 points per game), sophomore guard Landon Harrison (14.6) and senior center Trevor Koelling (11.7) all average in double figures.

The Jays come into tonight's contest having won three of their last four, posting victories against Pacific and Waynesville in addition to the win against William Chrisman.

The Crusaders have lost four of their last six games, although all four were to state-ranked teams - Father Tolton (No. 1 in Class 3), Quincy (Ill.) Notre Dame (tied for 10th in Class 2A), C.B.C. (No. 5 in Class 5) and Rolla (No. 6 in Class 4). Helias' only other loss was also to a state-ranked team, as Kickapoo is No. 2 in Class 5.