In most high school varsity basketball games at least one of the teams will put together a series of baskets over a the span of a few minutes. Occasionally both squads will have extended runs, and, as is often the case in lopsided games, one team will have several such offensive spurts.
Monday’s non-conference contest between Perry and visiting Woodward Academy featured no such protracted run, from either team, and instead was played at a steady rhythm that favored the hosts and resulted in a 79-60 Bluejay victory.
Perry (7-6) scored 20 points in both the first and second quarters, scored 22 in the third and finished with 17 in the fourth for their 79 points, with Woodward Academy (3-10) scoring 13, 14, 12 and 21 points, respectively, throughout the game.
The pace allowed Perry to slowly open a comfortable margin, although continued hustle from a high-energy Knights squad kept the issue still in doubt until midway through the third quarter when it became clear the Bluejays were not about to surrender their advantage.
Perry had appeared listless and disinterested in a lopsided 77-58 loss at Boone Friday, but such was not the case Monday, as the team looked sharp for most of the game and several players had strong all-around performances.
Kyle Nevitt led the Jays with 20 points, with Shammond Ivory adding 16 points.
Janier Puente scoring 13 points while grabbing 11 rebounds, with Ryan Rathje accounting for 11 points and seven rebounds while also blocking six shots and distributing five assists. Rashon Ivory had eight points and Alex Long three points and eight assists while J.R. McCord added a basket for the hosts.
The Knights were paced by 19 points from Ammari Johnson, with Delonquay Richardson adding 15 points and Marcus Riley and Booker McKinney 10 points apiece. Four points from Brejuan Mitchell and two from Bobby Collins closed the scoring.
Perry will return to action Friday when they visit Carlisle for a Raccoon River Conference boys/girls set beginning at 6 p.m.
