The Birth of a Dynasty: Jayton Claims Back-to-back 1A State Championships

After a slow start from both teams, Jayton quickly took command late in the 1st quarter. The Jaybirds put together a 17-0 run to take a 21-2 run headed to the 2nd period. That dominance carried over, and the Jaybirds only allowed three points during the entire first half.

"We have just been locked in defensively," Head Coach Ryan Bleiker said after the game. "We've had two other playoff games this year where I would call our defense elite. We were elite defensively in the first half."

Bryson took contested shot after contested shot, but the Jaybirds' elite defense forced the Cowboys to shoot 0-20 from the field through two periods.

On the other side of the court, Colt Gentry was a force on offense. He scored the Jaybirds' first 11 points in the contest and finished as the game's MVP. But it wasn't just Gentry. Guys like Bode Ham and Lorenzo Robles Vargas contributed immensely to the dominant win.

Jayton came out in the second half and picked up right where they left off. Another huge quarter from the starters put the game away. Everyone on the bench had a chance to check in the state game before it was all said and done, and the Jaybirds claimed victory, 70-36.

"These guys, every night, every practice, brought the intensity," Bleiker continued. "I never had to coach effort, which makes it really fun to coach when you can do that."

Watch the post-game press conference below:

Gentry led the Jaybirds with 24 points, eight rebounds, and three steals. Ham and Robles Vargas each added 12 points in the win.

The Jaybirds finished the year with a 28-2 overall record and Jayton's second consecutive state basketball title. Earlier this school year, the Jaybirds also claimed a state championship in football. Jayton isn't done yet, with baseball and track still to come, and the Jaybirds might be emerging as one of the premiere programs in 1A history.