Jags survive Dyamis career day

Less then 24 hours after getting hammered by Lakeville South (67-44) the Jaguars of Bloomington Jefferson traveled to Duluth East and picked up an exciting 89-86 victory. Point guard Marcus Alipate scored a career high point total for the Jaguars and it was still 20 less points than Dyami Starks put up for the Greyhounds.

Stating that this game was offensively explosive would be an understatement. Simply put, most games just don't include this many possessions or this many scoring outbursts.

Jefferson has had a difficult time putting away teams late as they are now 5-14 on the season with half of those losses coming by two baskets or less. That was not the case today as the Jags won their second close contest of the week against a solid opponent (Apple Valley was the other last Tuesday when the Jags won 68-65).

Jefferson did have to overcome an incredible scoring performance from future Columbia student athlete Dyami Starks. Dyami is one of those players who can simply be labeled as a scorer. He can produce in the post, Dyami can create space with his dribble attack and then fall away to hit, and Starks can spot up and shoot with just about anybody in state. All of those skills were on display today only at a bigger rate.

Dyami nailed nine of 18 three-point attempts and 17 of 28 shots total. He also did a great job of attacking the lane to get fouled as well as catching around the basket and getting to the free throw line. In all Starks made 12 of 13 free throws. Dyami put up 25 points of his points in the first half and then 30 in the second. He also totaled seven rebounds and three assists.

So how did they lose? It was a tough day for the rest of the squad on both ends. There wasn't any balance to the Greyhounds and sophomore standout Johnny Woodard struggled with his touch making only four of 16 attempts for ten points.

Defensively East just didn't have anything that could stop Marcus Alipate from getting his shot going in the first half. Marcus opened the game with five triples and went into the locker room with 21 points. And when the Greyhounds put more attention on Alipate it was Jefferson senior Jalen Williams who filled the gaps using his athletic ability to score 15 second half points, 19 for the game.

Overall the Jaguars had more balance. Senior Jack Wittenborg used his well-polished jumper to score a dozen and junior Matt Hovila produced a season high 17 points.

In a losing effort Dyami Starks set a single game scoring record for Duluth East. Starks broke Cory Johnson's record (now a junior at Valpo) of 49 points back in 2006.