Herky heads to Jefferson for Hoops for Hope on KJFF

(Festus) It’s a doubleheader of Jefferson County High School Hoops Friday on KJFF as the Herculaneum Blackcats visit the Jefferson Blue Jays in both girls’ and boys’ basketball as part of Hoops for Hope.

In the girls’ game, Herculaneum comes in on a tear, having won six of their last 7 games.

Senior forward Paige Fowler has picked up her scoring since the team’s 3-5 start, but Blackcats head coach Riley Blair believes everyone’s played better since Christmas.

Jefferson has grinded out back-to-back wins to improve to 8-9 behind senior stars Laney Smith and Catryn Cattoor.

But Blue Jays head coach Zac McVey wants to see his team generate more offense.

In the boys’ matchup, Herculaneum is struggling to slow opponents down, and that’s resulted in a 1-9 start.

But while the Blackcats are young, head coach Jason Jarvis thinks that one of the youngsters, sophomore Gabe Watkins, is becoming an X-factor.

Watkins leads Herky in assists and steals while also averaging almost 7 points and 3 rebounds per game.

Jefferson seems to be finding its rhythm with 6 wins in the last 9 games after a 2-4 start to the season.

Blue Jays head coach Sean Breeze says the emergence of junior guard Drew Breeze and other young faces has been critical to that turnaround.

Alongside the games, Hoops for Hope will be raising money for the family of Lisa Smith as she continues her battle with cancer, as well as funding scholarships for Jefferson students.

You can visit their Facebook page for more information.

On the hardwood, the Blackcat girls have won the last 7 meetings in the series, while the Blue Jay boys have taken the last five.

Herculaneum faces Jefferson Friday evening with coverage starting at 5:45 on AM 1400 KJFF.