It was a great “problem” to have as the start of the game schedule for the Jackson County Central boys basketball team was delayed a bit due to the length of the Huskies’ football season, which of course ended with a state championship.
Now, on the back side, JCC will end its regular-season schedule earlier than most teams and will then go at least 10 days and possibly 14 without a game before postseason play starts.
The Huskies traveled to Mapleton Saturday night and lost 78-64 to Maple River. The Eagles are now 16-8, while JCC is 20-4.
Grant Freking had a double double for the Huskies with 18 points and 10 rebounds.
Ben Gallagher scored 17 points and Weston Rowe netted 10. Freking and Aiven Farmer each had three steals.
Maple River had three players who score 20-plus points as Wyatt Birr had 23 points, Cole Davis 22 and Zach Trio 20.
Jackson County Central will end the regular season by playing three games without a practice as the Huskies host St. James Area (11-11) Monday and travel to Pipestone (9-13) Tuesday.
The seven-team Section 3AA South Sub-Section tournament opens on Friday, Feb. 28 although the No. 1 seed will have a bye and won’t play until Tuesday, March 4.
Big South Conference
Boys basketball standings
Through Feb. 15
East Pod
Belle Plaine 6-1
Jackson County Central 6-2
Fairmont 5-2
Blue Earth Area 2-6
Tri-City United 0-8
West Pod
Luverne 6-2
Redwood Valley 5-3
Windom 5-3
St. James Area 2-6
Pipestone 2-6
Big School Pod
Waseca 8-0
Marshall 6-2
St. Peter 5-3
Worthington 2-6
New Ulm 1-7
Pod games only
Sub-section records
Here are the won-loss records of Section 3AA South Sub-Section boys basketball teams through Saturday. The teams are listed in order of won-loss percentage.
Jackson County Central 20-4 .833
Luverne 15-7 .682
Redwood Valley 16-9 .640
Fairmont 14-8 .636
Windom 12-11 .522
St. James Area 11-11 .500
Pipestone 9-13 .409
JCC boys basketball schedule/results
Friday, Dec. 6: at New Ulm, W 85-73
Tuesday, Dec. 10: Estherville Lincoln Central, W 79-46
Thursday, Dec. 12: at Blue Earth Area, W 76-60
Friday, Dec. 13: at Tri-City United, W 78-48
Tuesday, Dec. 17: at St. Peter, W 64-60
Friday, Dec. 20: at Fairmont, W 52-49
Monday, Dec. 30: Montevideo at SMSU, W 63-55
Tuesday, Dec. 31: Marshall at SMSU, W 71-67 (2 OT)
Friday, Jan. 3: at Belle Plaine, L 71-61
Tuesday, Jan. 7: at Redwood Valley, W 63-55
Friday, Jan. 10: at Windom, W 101-69
Monday, Jan. 13: Luverne. W 84-80
Tuesday, Jan. 14: Worthington, W 78-54
Thursday, Jan. 16: Blue Earth Area, W 70-52
Tuesday, Jan. 21: Tri-City United, W 91-34
Friday, Jan. 24: Fairmont, L 40-38
Monday, Jan. 27: at Lake Crystal Wellcome Memorial, W 71-55
Tuesday, Jan. 28: at Pipestone, W 65-40
Friday, Jan. 31: Belle Plaine, W 84-69
Tuesday, Feb. 4: Windom, W 88-73
Friday, Feb. 7: Redwood Valley, W 96-83
Saturday, Feb. 8: Waseca, L 75-71
Tuesday, Feb. 11: at Luverne, W 75-62
Saturday, Feb. 15: at Maple River, L 78-64
Monday, Feb. 17: St. James Area, 7:15 p.m.
Tuesday, Feb. 18: at Pipestone, 7:30 p.m.