Herculaneum hosts Jefferson for hoops double-dip on KJFF
(Herculaneum) It’s a doubleheader of high school basketball Friday on KJFF as the Jefferson Blue Jays visit the Herculaneum Blackcats.
In the girls’ game, Herculaneum will look to remain atop the standings in the JCAA Small-School Division.
The Blackcats won their conference opener, but it’s the only win they’ve gotten in the last 9 games as they sit at 5-9.
Senior foward Macey Pilliard is having an outstanding season, averaging better than 16 points and 11 rebounds per game.
But Herky head coach Riley Blair says their offense is still a work in progress.
Jefferson has struggled during their 3-13 season, losing four of their last five.
In the boys’ game, both teams will search for their first conference win.
Jefferson has gotten a big year from senior forward Colton Richardson, who is averaging 17 points and 8 rebounds a game.
But, despite some close games of late, the Blue Jays have lost nine of the last 12 to fall to 6-11.
Head coach Sean Breeze says doing better on one end of the floor in particular is key to ending those struggles.
Herculaneum has won four of the last six to get to 7-6.
The Blackcats are powered by do-it-all junior point guard Gabe Watkins, who is piling up almost 15 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists and 3 steals per contest.
Blackcats head coach Jason Jarvis says Watkins is a complete player, but he’s more willing to get his own on offense this season.
The Blackcat boys have already beaten the Blue Jays once this season.
Herculaneum meets Jefferson in both boys’ and girls’ basketball Friday evening.
Coverage starts with the Flieg’s Equipment Pregame Show at 5:45 on AM 1400 KJFF.
