Jefferson played host to a packed house Friday night for its Hoops for Hope doubleheader.
The standing room-only crowd was treated to four games total – which included junior varsity boys and girls games. By the time the varsity boys tipped off around 8:30 p.m., the Blue Jays’ gym was filled.
Between the boys and girls varsity games, two families fighting cancer and whose children attend Jefferson schools, were given $3,500 and many gifts, followed by standing ovations.
On the court, Herculaneum’s two varsity teams came away winners.
In the girls game, freshman Taylor Metcalf staked the Blackcats to an early 9-0 lead with three 3-pointers. The Blackcats held off a furious Blue Jay rally in the second half and won 66-52.
The boys game went to overtime before the Blackcats prevailed 77-69. Senior Matt Coffman was a beast for the Blackcats scoring 23 points and grabbing 18 rebounds, 17 on the defensive end.