Normally Senior Night is reserved for an opponent that is a near guaranteed victory but that was far from the scenario facing both the Lady Raiders and Raiders on Tuesday night in The Raider Dome. The JV Lady Raiders got the action started. Parklane went on a second quarter 8-0 run to close out the first half and narrow the margin to 1 as JA led to 19-18 at the break. The third quarter featured four lead changes and three ties as the Lady Raiders led by just two heading into the final frame. The Lady Raiders were led in scoring by Emily Buchanan with 12 points and Lila Eubank with 8 points. JA outscored Parklane 11-4 in the fourth to secure a 39-30 win over Parklane improving to 17-3 overall and 8-1 in conference play.

The JV Raiders had a little easier time than their first meeting. Merritt Nations and Thomas Antici combined to score all 11 points in the first quarter for JA as they led 11-1. The Raiders scored seven of the next nine and increased their lead to fifteen at the 4:03 mark of the second quarter before settling with a 20-11 halftime lead. The Raiders started the third with a 9-2 run and a ended it with a 7-0 run to lead by twenty going into the fourth. Nations led all scorers with a game high 13 points while Antici finished with 8 points. The Raiders beat the Pioneers 46-22 and moved their overall record to 16-5 and 7-2 in conference play.

In Varsity Girls action, Coach Jan Sojourner honored the five seniors by starting all five as Reeves Stratton, Kennedy Nations, Azaria McDowell, Yasmin Chambers and Gracie Eubank all took their place on the floor. The Lady Raiders struggled early to get a shot to fall as they started with a 7-0 deficit by missing their first eleven shots. The Lady Raiders trailed 15-8 at the end of 8 minutes. When the second quarter began JA used a 7-0 run to tie the game up at 15-15 and then stretched their lead to 26-21 at the half. The Lady Raiders won going away 53-37. The seniors combined to score 36 in their final game at The Raider Dome as they improved to 24-6 overall and 7-1 in conference play.

University Heart Players with The Most Heart
Yasmin Chambers - scored a career high 20 points (9-13 FG, 2-5 FT), grabbed 2 rebounds 2 assist, and had 4 steals
Reeves Stratton - chipped in 10 points (4-11 FG, 2-2 FT), grabbed 3 rebounds 2 assist, and had 1 steal
Kennedy Nations, Azaria McDowell and Gracie Eubank - added 6 points (3-10 FG), had 9 rebounds 6 assists, and 6 steals
For full stats of the game Click Here

The Varsity Raiders celebrated their seniors, Henry Lee, Will Travelstead and Wenton Walker, prior to the tip of their matchup with the Pioneers. The first three and a half quarters were dominated by the Raiders as they made nine three-pointers and led by as many as twelve in the early stages of the fourth quarter, despite losing Walker to a foot injury in the early stages of the game. The Pioneers went on a 18-6 run in the fourth to tie the game at 55-55. Graham Stevens was fouled with 0:30 left in the game and sunk two big free throws to give the Raiders a 57-55 win as JA moved to 19-10 overall and 5-3 in conference play. Stevens led JA with 18 points, while Lee was right behind with 15 points.

University Heart Players with The Most Heart
Henry Lee, Will Travelstead and Wenton Walker combined to score 21 points (7-19 FG, 7-14 3PT) and secured 7 rebounds, 9 assists, and 2 steals.
Graham Stevens scored a career-high 18 points (7-10 FG, 4-5 FT), snagged 4 rebounds, 1 steal and 1 assist in 24 minutes of action.
For full stats of the game Click Here

JA travels to MRA Friday. JV starts at 4:00pm and 5:15pm with Varsity at 6:30pm and 8:00pm.