CARLISLE — Perry’s first visit to the new gym in Carlisle was one the Bluejays and Jayettes would just as likely wish to forget, as the Wildcats waltzed to a pair of Raccoon River Conference victories.
The new facility includes a regulation 94-foot floor, at least 10 feet longer than the hardwood in Perry. Like Marshalltown and other schools with 94-foot floors, the advantage of playing on the larger surface can work in favor of the host school, as the additional distance can slowly accumulate and wear down visitors not used to the extra space.
Carlisle pestered Perry’s ability to bring the ball up the court, and often scored over the top of the Jayette defense to post a 74-29 win in the girls game, with the hosts steadily pulling away for a 67-35 victory in the boys meeting.
Perry (5-8, 0-7) faced a 19-5 deficit after one period in the girls game, and trailed, 41-16, at the intermission. A 13-7 Carlisle (7-5, 4-3) edge in the third quarter silenced any hopes Perry had of making a comeback.
Both teams shot 12 free throws, with Perry making seven and Carlisle five. The hosts sank nine 3-point shots and the guests two.
The win completed a season sweep for the Wildcats, who were 75-41 winners in Perry Dec. 13.
Lydia Olejniczak had both treys for Perry and finished with 13 points. Molly Lutmer was limited to nine points, with Kennedy Tunink adding three points, Jayna Kenney two and Ashley Cerna two.
Isabelle Noring (14), Kennedy Preston (13), Molly Hoesktra (13) and Sydney Berg (10) combined to lead the Wildcats. Aubrey Furnal added nine points, Delaney Schnathorst six, Katie Keeney five and Madi Watts four. Preston hit three treys, Noring and Hoekstra two each and Furnal and Keeney one each.
Carlisle (4-7, 3-4) was a 41-33 winner in Perry Dec. 13, but this time opened a 31-16 halftime lead and then pulled away with a 20-5 third quarter. A pair of 15-2 runs — one just before and one just after the break — helped create a 51-21 bulge entering the final frame.
Keghan West led the Bluejays (3-8, 1-6) with 13 points, with Brendan Ivory adding 11. West had three 3-pointers and Ivory one.
Avery Meister added four points, Kato Dougan three and Sincere Johnson and Chase Archer one each while Matthew Booker hit two free throws for his first varsity points of the season.
Nat Norton’s game-high 27 fueled Carlisle. Tyson Guard had nine points and Hayden Davis six, with Cole Osterhaus and Carter Presnal adding five points apiece. Jace Vollstedt tallied four points and Teagan Wyckoff three, with two points each form Kaden Baxter, Jacob Imhoff, Caleb Wenthe and Wyatt Sobieszkala capped the scoring for the hosts.
Perry visits Carroll Tuesday and hosts ADM Friday, with a rescheduled twin bill against Madrid to be played Saturday, with the girls game starting at 1 p.m.
