DVL champion Jackson Heights takes 2A crown
Jackson Heights finally returned a favor Saturday.
After losing to Pittsburg-Colgan in sectionals of the Class 2A football playoffs last fall, Jackson Heights handed the Panthers defeat in the basketball postseason on Saturday.
The Delaware Valley League champions claimed an 82-71 double overtime victory against St. Mary’s-Colgan at Bramlage Coliseum in Manhattan and secured their second state championship. The team’s first state title came in 1979.
Colgan handed Jackson Heights its only loss in football as the team finished the season 11-1. Colgan actually poured more salt in the Cobra wound with that victory. A year ago, the eventual state champion Panthers ended Jackson Heights’ basketball campaign in the state semifinals and the Cobras had to settle for a 22-4 record and no state title.
Results were different this season.
After getting past Garden Plain, 65-58, in the state semifinals last Wednesday, Jackson Heights defeated Sublette, 67-66, in overtime in the semifinals before outlasting Colgan in the double overtime marathon Saturday. Jackson Heights finished the season 25-1.
The girls bracket also had a DVL team, but Horton couldn’t get past Moundridge in the state quarterfinals Thursday.
But then again, no team that the Wildcats faced fulfilled that goal. Moundridge won its sixth state title with a 73-55 victory against defending state champion Osborne. Horton pushed the Wildcats to overtime, but finally fell, 65-55. Moundridge then defeated Olpe, 62-53, on the semifinals.
Horton finished the season 20-3, while Moundridge ended the season 23-3.