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Rojas Trey Lifts JHS To Win At Clarence

CLARENCE — River Reinhardt was destined to be the hero.

Then Elijah Rojas stole the show.

Jamestown’s sophomore guard drilled a 3-pointer from the corner with four seconds remaining Thursday night to send the Red Raiders to a thrilling, 59-57, Erie County Interscholastic Conference Division 1 basketball victory over Clarence.

The win raised Jamestown’s record to 4-2 overall and 1-1 in the division, while the Red Devils fell to 3-1 and 1-1.

“It was a great win for us,” Jamestown coach Ben Drake said. “Clarence is one of the favorites to win our league this year. They start four seniors who have all been starting since they were sophomores. It is a great win for us.”

There was plenty of drama in the last minute. Leading by a point with 40 seconds remaining, Shaheem Freeney made a nifty pass to Kameron Grant, who made the layup, but Reinhardt came down and drilled a 25-foot 3-pointer with 25 seconds left to tie the game at 56.

After a Jamestown timeout, Drake ran a play for Grant that Clarence took it away, but Rojas was open in the corner for the game-winning trey.

The Red Devils called a timeout to set up a play, but the Red Raiders intentionally fouled Reinhardt (28 points) near halfcourt with less than a second remaining. He made one free throw, intentionally missed the second and then the horn sounded to end the game.

Freeney led Jamestown with 18 points, eight rebounds and three assists; Rojas had 14 points, four assists and three steals; Grant had 12 points; Tyler Swegles came off the bench to score eight points to go along with five assists and two steals; and Demarri Jones hauled down eight boards.

The Red Raiders return to action Tuesday at home when they take on Lancaster.

Clarence won the jayvee game, 63-60. Jaylen Butera led Jamestown (4-2) with 19 points and Simeon Leeper added 14.

JAMESTOWN (59)

Jones 2 0 4, Rojas 6 0 14, Swegles 2 2 8, Garland 1 0 3, Grant 6 0 12, Freeney 8 2 18, Totals 25 4 59.

CLARENCE (57)

Rhinehart 9 4 28, Harris 2 1 7, Ainello 4 0 11, Putney 3 1 8, Brooks 1 1 3, totals 19 7 57.

3-point goals–Rojas 2, Swegles 2, Garland, Reinhardt 6, Harris 2, Ainello 3, Putney.

Jamestown 10 18 19 12 — 59

Clarence 16 15 11 15 — 57

Jayvees: Clarence won

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