Perry hosts Ogden Thursday for a non-conference girls/boys set that has been designated as “Pack the Gym” night.
PHS students with a paid admission will be able to bring one student guest to the game for free until 6 p.m. and Skills USA/TSA will be offering “Dollar Dog” night at the concession stand.
A special presentation will be made to longtime Perry girls head coach Mike Long, who stepped down this summer after 40 years and 566 wins leading the Jayettes. Long took Six-Player teams to the 1988 state tournament and the final tourney using the old format, in 1993.
He guided Perry back to Des Moines in 2000 and again in 2002. The ’02 team opened play with a 58-43 win over Clear Lake before overwhelming Pella, 58-34 in the semifinals. Cedar Rapids Xavier proved no match in the title game, with a 54-32 triumph crowning the Jayettes as State Champions.
Jayette alumni, especially those from any of the state tourney games, are encouraged to attend the occasion.
Long is currently assisting the Bluejay cagers, and remains the head coach of the Bluejay baseball team, where he is 711-408 overall, having taken teams to the state tournament in 1987, 1991 and 1998 (all three second-place finishes) as well at the 1999, 2002 and 2004 tourneys.
