It was the opening League games of the season for four teams that expect to compete near the top of the Big 7 as the Jeff West girls and Sabetha boys remained undefeated on Friday night.  

GIRLS = Jeff West 37, Sabetha 34

The game was within six points all night, but ultimetly came down to free throws as Sabetha went just 12 of 28 from the foul line and Jeff West made a trio of charity tosses to break a tie in the final 20 seconds and steal the road win. The lady Jays got to free throws with four minutes to play by Hillary Krebs to tie the score at 34, but wouldn't score again and missed a couple freebies with 28 seconds left and the game tied. 

Aailayah Negonsott hit one free throw with 20 seconds left to break the tie and two to finish the deal with just three seconds remaining.  Negonsott finished as the only player scoring in double figures with 17 points while Jordan Negonsott banked in two of the Tigers five three-pointers on the night to finish with six points and Jeff West (2-0) was 8-14 at the stripe despite having 20 turnovers.   

Sabetha led 10-6 after one quarter but lost the lead they would never get back in the second stanza.  After making 17 treys in the first two games, the Jays hit just two on Friday night. Krebs scored nine points while Melinna Schumann added eight and Jessica Payne chipped in six as Sabetha fell to 2-1 overall on the season.  

BOYS = Sabetha 57, Jeff West 43

The visiting Tigers his three triples to start the game and led 9-3 and was still ahead 12-9 after one quarter.  However, Sabetha going running in the second period and outscored Jeff West 17-5 to take control and never look back.  Despite a huge size disadvantage, Sabetha was dominate on the glass with many offensive rebounds and second chance points while only having eight turnover and making 11 of 15 free throws on the night.  

Joe Gruber scored 14 points while Braeden Cox added 13 and Jesse Burger had 12 points to go along with 15 rebounds.  Cox got all his points in the second half and a fourth senior, Ryan Stapleton, chipped in nine points for the Jays (3-0) in their closest win of the season.  

Jeff West (0-2) got 11 points from Bryce Clements and Quinn Neuenswander while Josh Broxterman added 10.

Citizens State Bank and Trust Company of Hiawatha "Players to Bank On:"

Aailayah Negonsott of Jeff West and Jesse Burger from Sabetha.