The Jayton Jaybirds are back-to-back State champions this season after traveling to San Antonio’s Alamodome last Thursday to compete in the UIL Class 1A Division 2 State Final game against the Bryson Cowboys.
“I never had to coach effort,” said Head Coach Ryan Bleiker after the Jaybirds
To get to accomplish what we have accomplished and to do itwith the guys I am sitting with and the guys that are waiting in the locker room,it’s the most amazing feeling in the world.
—Griff Reel,Jayton senior brought their 27-2 season record to face the Cowboys’ 29-4 record March 6. Jaybird basketball has developed a legendary program, earning five State semifinal appearances since 2019 and the current pair of championship titles.
Expectations right from the start.
Coach Bleiker held big expectations right from the beginning of the season that the tradition would continue. The boys stepped off the football field carrying a State championship title and played their first district basketball game two days later. They were able to hold their opponent to only twelve points despite the late start to the season. “Our offense was not great, but they were so good on defense,” said Coach Bleiker. “That’s when we knew it was going to be a special year.”
At the Alamodome.
Strong defense continued to be the Jaybird battle cry going into the big game. The Cowboys won the tipoff, but the ball was quickly stolen back into Jaybird hands by senior Griffith Reel. Junior Colt Gentry got the Jaybirds rolling, scoring the first 11 points of the game. A foul on Jayton three minutes in sent Bryson to the free-throw line, where they scored both attempts, but the Jaybirds continued hammering out the baskets and holding the Cowboys down. The Jaybirds put an exclamation point on the dominated first quarter with senior Ayden Salazar pulling down a defensive rebound for a fast break outlet to C. Gentry. Gentry made the assist to junior Bode Ham, who pulled up for a 3-point buzzer-beater, ending the quarter 21-2.
Jayton kept the momentum alive into the second quarter. Play opened with a Cowboy possession, but was immediately stolen by C. Gentry for a fast break dunk 15 seconds in. Ham came out hot after his first quarter buzzer beater, making a steal and assist to C. Gentry before dropping a 3 ball and a layup a few possessions later. On another fast break, Sean Stanaland made a beautiful assist to Ham for a layup. The Cowboys still couldn’t find an answer to the “elite” Jaybird defense, scoring only one from the free-throw line to end the first half 35-3.
“We had two playoff games this year where I would say we were elite defensively,” said Coach Bleiker. “In the first half, we held Bryson to 0-20 from the field so they were elite again today.”
Bryson finally began scoring in the third quarter, but never found a way to stop the Jaybirds who continued to increase their lead, ending the third 56-20.
The fourth quarter of the game showed the legacy tradition of Jaybird basketball. Coach Bleiker gave the fans a highlight of what’s to come next year with big substitutions two minutes in. He was heard from the bench telling his up-and-coming team, “Be Ready! We are going to start this right here!”
His underclassmen maintained the lead and never missed a beat. His first-string players made a heartfelt show of handing the court over to the next team, coming off to hug each man down the bench and receiving a standing ovation from the fans.
“You know, it’s a lot. This is maybe the most emotional I’ve been about it,” said Coach Bleiker in the press conference following the game. “We are losing some good seniors that have put through a lot of work for us and done a lot of good for us, so its emotional in the aspect that we are losing some guys that have meant a lot to our program for a long time.”
Two championships in a row.
The Jaybirds secured their second state title in a row with a 70-36 statement. Coach Bleiker attributed the program’s recent success to the kids. “If you see the hours that they put in yearround, they are just such hard workers,” he said. “Every kid up here was at district One Act Play on Tuesday. We had to wait for them to leave One Act Play before we could come down to San Antonio. Whatever it is they do, they do it really hard and really well.”
Bleiker went on to extend credit to the community. “As far as the five trips in seven years, that has to start with the community. Not just in basketball, but in all sports and all academics, there is so much support. Our participation numbers are high in everything that we do.”
GentryMostValuablePlayer.
Scoring 24 points, eight rebounds and three steals, junior Colt Gentry was awarded the 1A-D2 State MVP honors, the third of his high school career. He earned the MVP title in the State basketball finals his sophomore year and in the State football finals earlier in his junior year.
Well on his way to a dynasty team, Coach Bleiker said, “Hope is a snowball effect. The elementary kids watch these players who are great examples, and it makes them want to be like these guys. When these guys walk through the breakfast line, every elementary kid wants to slap their hand and be one of them. That makes it really easy on the coach’s side.”
Continuing to attribute the program’s success to the younger generation and telling his plans for the future of the program, “It’s a lot of work but just keep those elementary and junior high kids rolling,” said Bleiker.
A Jaybird legacy.
It is a special thing for senior players to get to leave a program with a State championship title under their belt. “It means a lot,” said senior Griffith Reel. “I’ve been playing weekend tournaments with and against every one of these guys since I was a third grader. There has been a tremendous amount of work that all of us have put in together. To get to accomplish what we have accomplished and to do it with the guys I am sitting with and the guys that are waiting in the locker room, it’s the most amazing feeling in the world.”
Hope is a snowball effect.
The elementary kids watch these players who are great examples,and it makes them want to be like these guys.
—Jayton Head Coach Ryan Bleiker
