IOWA CITY – The J-Hawks hung tough, but in the end Virginia Johnson and the Little Hawks’ second half surge proved  too much to overcome. Powered by Johnson’s 33 points, the No. 4 Little Hawks came away with a 64-49 win in a Mississippi Valley Conference girls’ basketball game Friday night (Dec. 10).

Jefferson (2-4, 2-2 MVC) had a trio of double-figure scorers. Taylor Jacobson had 12, Kaitlyn Davidson 11 and Brittney Steffeny 10.

Mickey Hansche added 14 points for City High (6-1, 3-1).

The J-Hawks trailed 36-29 at halftime, but cut the margin to four early in the third quarter.  City High’s lead quickly bounced back to a 10 points, sparked by a steal and layup by freshman Kiera Washpun.

The Little Hawks led 49-36.  Jefferson crawled back to within 10 on a pair of jumpers by Steffeny, but City High responded with an 8-0 run that put the game out of reach.

Johnson got City High off to a fast start in the game, knocking down her first four shots.  Hansche had seven points in the first quarter, which ended with the Little Hawks holding an 18-13 lead.

Davidson canned three 3-pointers in the second quarter  and Jefferson’s trapping 2-3 zone kept the J-Hawks within striking distance.

Jefferson won the sophomore game, 51-37. Kieley Brathwaite had 12 points and Whylie Massey 10.

Jefferson plays at MFL MarMac on Saturday.

JEFFERSON (49): Dani Stromert 0 0-0 0, Alleigha Green 0 0-1 0, Kaitlyn Davidson 4 0-0 11, Maddy Bleitz 1 0-0 2, Kieley Brathwaite 1 0-0 2, Ashley Madison 1 1-1 3, Taylor Jacobson 4 3-6 12, Rachel Broghammer 3 2-4 8, Amber Grimm 0 0-0 0, Whylie Massey 0 0-0 0, Brittney Steffeny 4 0-0 8, Maddie Koolbeck 1 1-2 3, Kadijah Bush 0. Totals 19 7-14 49.

IOWA CITY HIGH (64): Washpun 2 0-0 5, Diaz-Doolin 0 0-0 0, Dailey 0 0-0 0, Schroeder 0 0-0 0, Sullivan 0 0-0 0, Danielson 0 0-0 0, Hansche 6 0-0 14, Coleman 0 0-0 0, Beasley 1 0-0 2, Chambers 0 0-0 0, Johnson 15 3-4 33, Van der Woulde 0 0-0 0, Lorenzen 2 1-2 5, Hyche 2 1-4 5. Totals 28 5-10 64.

Halftime — City High 36, Jefferson 29. 3-point goals — Jefferson 4 (Davidson 3, Jacobson), City High 3 (Hansche 2, Washpun). Team fouls — Jefferson 10, City High 12.