BOONE — Tensions and emotions are usually high, for both teams, when Perry and Boone meet in just about any boys sport, basketball being no exception.
The Toreadors blew a seven-point lead in the fourth quarter and then rallied for a 54-51 win over the host Bluejays Jan. 10. Much chatter between players in that game presaged an emotional contest Tuesday, and it proved to be the Bluejays who let their emotions get the better of them, with a trio of technical fouls in a five-minute span in the third quarter undoing the guests in a 72-68 loss.
Already a physical contest (the teams combined to shoot 76 free throws) the game reached a dangerous level when Perry guard Rashon Ivory was called for charging into Boone’s John Herrick. Words were exchanged and Ivory bumped, but the Bluejay senior shoved Herrick, drawing a technical, his fourth foul.
Perry had entered the second quarter trailing, 19-15, but took a 34-31 lead into the locker room. The first technical allowed Boone to slip in front, 39-36, with Perry senior Mark Campos whistled for a questionable reaching foul under the Bluejay basket four minutes later.
Campos argued the call, drawing a technical, then argued the technical, earning another and his expulsion from the game as the Boone crowd erupted.
By the time the third frame ended Boone had a 48-40 edge and seeming control of the contest.
However, Perry was not about to leave matters unchallenged and slowly fought back into contention. The Jays closed to within three points on three occasions with between three and one minute remaining. Rashon Ivory and Drew Levan helped lead the surge, but Ivory and Brendan Ivory both fouled out, with Michael Meyer also fouling out, and Boone was able to convert enough at the foul line to survive.
Boone (11-7, 8-5) finished 29-of-44 at the foul line in the game, with Perry 18-of-32.
Toreador guard Trevor Van Pelt sank 16-of-free throws, had three 3-pointers and two field goals to lead all scorers with 29 points. Herrick and Dresden Wilson added 15 points apiece, with Tyler Casotti providing seven points, Justin Aspengren four and Casey Hutchings two.
Rashon Ivory was 8-of-12 at the line and led Perry with 26 points, with Levan pouring in 22 points. Connor Nielsen had seven points, Tanner Duffy five and Brendan Ivory four while Aaron Lockwood and Campos had two points apiece.
Perry (5-15, 3-10) will host Bondurant-Farrar Friday for a RRC set, with seniors honored during the festivities. The Bluejays will wrap their regular season Feb. 15 with a boys-only visit from Creston.
