With the die cast and game set, the undefeated Bluejays headed into the championship game on Saturday, Jan. 21, to take on the Ottawa Cyclones. The Cyclones upset the higher seed in Labette County in the opening round and defeated Independence in the semi-final round to help them earn a shot at the title. It was a tight contest through the first three quarters, but Sabetha had a late game push to cap the victory by a score of 55-43.

“Ottawa was a great opponent,” said Head Coach Scott Burger. “They were quick and very athletic. Their 3-2 defense was very good and caused us problems throughout.”

The first quarter was a defensive battle, with both teams finding it difficult to see a chink in the armor, which kept the offense at a minimum. Senior Davis Rokey found a couple of buckets early and senior Matthew Garber dropped a trey on the Cyclones in the period, and Sabetha led, 11-10.

Both teams posted 16 points in the second quarter and the Jays held onto a one-point advantage at halftime, 27-26. Junior Christian McAfee had 6 points in the period, junior Marcus Bauman had 5 points and Rokey added five points.

“In the second half, our defensive pressure turned the game around. Our players created offense with their defense,” Coach Burger said.

Garber and McAfee managed 4 points each in the third, as well as a bucket each from Rokey and senior Preston Michael. The Bluejays edged out Ottawa in the period 12 to 10 to lead by 3 points headed into the final quarter, 39-36.

“We could not put the game away until the end as we converted on the free throw line,” Coach Burger said.

McAfee had the solitary goal from the field in the fourth quarter, but the Bluejays were nearly perfect from the free throw line down the stretch. Garber made 10 of 11 from the stripe, and McAfee and Bauman went two for two. As a team, Sabetha was 16 of 17 from the line shooting 94 percent for their charity shots. The Cyclones struggled against a formidable Bluejay defense, which allowed only 7 points in the final period.

Sabetha would take the 2023 championship at Burlington, defeating Ottawa, 55-43. Garber was named the tournament MVP, who finished with 17 points on the night, and McAfee was named to the All-Tournament team.

“This was a good tournament for our team,” Coach Burger said. “We faced different challenges and responded to every one.”

The Bluejays would have a rare Tuesday night off before the campaign resumes when they travel to Silver Lake on Friday, Jan. 27, to take on the Eagles.