Jefferson rocked and the Blue Jays rolled to the Class 3 sectionals for the first time in school history.
Playing top-seeded St. Pius X in the Class 3 District 3 boys basketball championship on Friday night before an overflowing, energized crowd, the Jefferson (No. 2) duo of junior forward Jon Weik and senior guard Easton Null played with a singular purpose that there was no way the Lancers were going to beat them for a third time this season, especially on their home court.
Weik led all scorers with 25 points and Null poured in 14 of his 19 points in the second half to lead the Blue Jays (19-8) to a 66-52 win. Parents and fans quickly spilled onto the floor to mob the first boys basketball district champions in school history. Weik stood in the middle of the crowd rejoicing with the first-place plaque held high.
Sean Breeze left Crystal City’s head coaching position last year to take the job at Jefferson. Breeze won three district titles leading the Hornets. The emotion of the moment after the game was easy to see on his face as he soaked it all in.
“To see this crowd. It’s unbelievable. I’m so proud of the kids and so happy for everybody. This means so much,” Breeze said.
Steelville (19-4) and St. James (16-11) play tonight (Feb. 23) in the District 4 championship. The Blue Jays play the winner of that game in the sectionals at Jefferson College at 6 p.m. on Wednesday.
In the Class 2 District 4 girls basketball championship at Crystal City, Valle Catholic avenged a loss to the host Hornets earlier in the season by winning the title 49-31 on Friday night.
Crystal City (10-16) rolled to the finals after beating Bismarck 45-15 and Valley Caledonia 48-28. Senior guard Kailey Krieg made three 3-point baskets and led the Hornets with 13 points against the Warriors.
For a full account of the boys and girls district basketball action this weekend, read Thursday’s Leader.