Jays Hold Their Nerve: Jamestown Clenches Fourth Spot in Thrilling Region 3 Showdown

You know, some games just have that certain something, that electric feel from tip-off right through to the final buzzer. And Friday night's clash at the Jamestown Civic Center? Well, it was absolutely one of those. The Jamestown Jays, in a display of sheer grit and no small amount of skill, managed to best the May-Port CG Comets, securing that coveted fourth position in the Region 3 tournament. It was a 70-63 final, but honestly, that score doesn't quite tell the whole story of the nail-biting, back-and-forth action that unfolded.

From the jump, it felt like the Jays were looking to make a statement. They roared out of the gate, putting up an impressive 23 points in the first quarter, leaving the Comets trailing by a considerable margin. It was a strong start, no doubt, and for a moment, you might have thought, 'Okay, this could be a comfortable night.' But in basketball, as in life, things rarely stay comfortable for long.

Indeed, the Comets, far from folding, decided to dig deep. They chipped away at that lead, showing some serious resolve themselves. By the time the halftime horn sounded, the gap had shrunk significantly; Jamestown was up, yes, but only by a slender 34-31. Suddenly, the air was thick with tension. It was a real ballgame, and everyone in the arena could feel it.

Coming out of the locker room for the second half, the Jays seemed to refocus. They managed to widen their lead a bit more in the third, pushing it to a 50-42 advantage heading into the final frame. But, and this is where the human element really shines, May-Port CG refused to quit. They battled and clawed, making every possession count, and actually managed to bring the score within a single basket in the waning minutes. For a second, it felt like anyone's game.

But the Jays, they just had a little extra something left in the tank. They made crucial free throws down the stretch, keeping their composure when it mattered most, effectively sealing the deal. Leif Arntson and Payton Hochhalter were truly instrumental for Jamestown, each pouring in 18 points. Arntson, to his credit, also pulled down 6 rebounds, while Hochhalter dished out 4 assists, showing his all-around impact. Ty Monson was another key figure, adding 12 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists — a very complete performance, you could say. And let's not forget Mason Lunzman, who hit double-digits with 10 points, nor Marcis Hausauer, whose 6 points were complemented by a game-high 7 rebounds. Luke Van Der Hoek also contributed 6 points, rounding out a truly collective effort.

For the Comets, Drew Tvinnereim led the charge with an impressive 21 points. Braden Sandry chipped in 19, and Jace Brown added 14. They fought valiantly, absolutely, but on this particular night, the Jays just had the edge. Jamestown’s shooting was crisp, hitting 50% from the field compared to May-Port CG's 41.5%, and they dominated the boards, outrebounding the Comets 35-24. Ultimately, those small margins added up to a significant win. What a game, honestly.