It was one of the most action-packed games of the year. It was also one of the most nerve-wrecking for fans on both sides of the court as the Bulldogs took on the Webb City Cardinals at Carl Junction, Friday, Feb. 5. At the end of the night, it was the Dogs who came out on top, as they held on to a 48-47 victory.

Carl Junction senior Jansen Adams showed nerves of steel as he stepped to the charity line eight times in the fourth quarter, sinking every free throw. Adams scored 12 of his game-high 18 points in the fourth quarter of play to help lift his team to victory.

Carl Junction won the tip off and led by as many as five points in the first quarter before the Cardinals pulled ahead to lead 23-27 at halftime.

The Carl Junction team and fans got a real scare about halfway through the third quarter when senior Jacob Bennett hit hard and laid motionless on the court. Bennett eventually made it to his feet and found his way off court. After the hard fall, CJ and Webb City fans alike were impressed by Bennett’s grit as he re-entered the game before the end of the quarter. Bennett’s experience proved invaluable as the outcome of the game came down to the final seconds of play.

Carl Junction went into the final quarter of play trailing – but had pulled ahead by three in the first minutes. The Bulldogs and Cardinals traded baskets throughout the remainder of the period. With 37 seconds left to play, the Bulldogs led by one when former Carl Junction student Breckin Williams, now a Webb City starter, fouled out, sending Adams to the line. Adams hit the first of four throws he scored in less than half a minute of play. Adams’ free throws put Webb City down by three points when they took a time out with 13.1 seconds left on the clock.

A 3-point attempt by the Cardinals in the final seconds bounced off the rim. Webb City was able to get the rebound and tip in the ball for a final two points, but fell just short as the buzzer sounded.

In addition to his 18 points, Adams had nine rebounds and two steals. Senior Josh Davis had eight points, four assists and tied Jake McClarnon with three steals. McClarnon had seven points, seven rebounds and two blocked shots. Jake Stevenson had six points and four assists for Carl Junction. Other scorers were Bennett with five points, and Garrett Easson with four.

The win was a boost for the Carl Junction team and coach Ryan Odaffer who coached at Webb City before taking over the reins at Carl Junction. The Bulldogs had just come off an 8-point loss to a very strong Joplin team on the road.

The Bulldogs followed up the Webb City win with a conference victory over Cassville, Monday, Feb. 8. The game was a makeup for the Jan. 29 game, which was postponed due to bad weather.

The Bulldogs had another close game, winning 47-45 over the 3-16 Wildcats. This time is was Bennett and Stevenson coming through in the final minutes to seal the win for the Bulldogs.

Carl Junction trailed by one point late in the game when Stevenson tied the games with a free throw. Bennett then had the last of his four steals in the game with about a minute and a half left in the game. Bennett got the ball to Stevenson whose fast break layup gave Carl Junction their final 2-point lead of the game.

Stevenson led Carl Junction with 17 points, 14 of which came in the first half of play. Adams joined Stevenson in double digits with ten points. Adams also tied McClarnon with eight rebounds in the game. Bennett and Davis each had two assists.

The win brought the bulldogs overall record the 9-12. They hold a 1-2 conference record.