It was another heartbreaking conference loss for the Washington basketball Blue Jays.

For the third time in four games, the Blue Jays (11-11, 3-5) dropped a one possession game. This time, it was to Wentzville Liberty (16-6, 8-0) at home Friday, 56-54.

Weve had a lot of heartbreakers lately with very close games, said Washington Head Coach Grant Young. The good thing is our kids are playing with some of the top teams in our conference, we just cant get that one little inch to get over the top. Liberty has a really good team and we were right with them the whole game.

The Eagles led 14-10 after the first quarter and 24-22 at halftime.

By the end of the third quarter, the Blue Jays had taken the lead at 38-37.

In the fourth quarter, the Blue Jays led late after a three-pointer by junior Zach Harms, but Liberty junior Kaleb Overall answered with a three of his own.

The Overall kid hit a big three and that was huge for them, Young said. They hit four threes in the fourth quarter and they were kind of daggers. We had a chance at the end down three. Conlan (Jarvis) made the first free throw and then tried to miss intentionally, but he missed the rim.

Liberty closed out the game by outscoring Washington 19-16 in the fourth quarter.

Despite the close losses recently, Young said his team isnt down on themselves.

You fight so hard to lose by such a shortcoming, he said. Our last four games have been decided by a total of nine points. It could be disheartening, but our kids came to practice this week ready to get (Ft. Zumwalt North Friday). We had a great practice Monday and its been really fun with the kids. Its been a fun year coaching. They come to practice every day with a lot of leadership.

Young hasnt lost any belief in his team, either.

I think that people have to worry about us because were a really good team, he said. Were right there. We have to make those timely shots, and then we can get over that hump.

Washington was led by junior Conlan Jarvis, who scored 21 points and drained three three-pointers.

Conlan had a really great game for us, Young said.

Junior Cason Suggs was next with 13 points.

Senior Austin Lewis scored six points.

Freshman Dayton Turner put in five points.

Senior Connor Lewis added four points.

Sophomore Alec Brinkmann finished with two points.

Junior Jaylen Sims put in 22 points for Wentzville Liberty.

Overall scored 19 points.

Senior Brian Jones had six points.

Andy Jorris put in four points. Alex Hines had three points.

Senior Blake Stricker scored two points.

Washington is off until Friday, when they host Zumwalt North (7-13, 3-5) at 7:30 p.m.

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Blue Jays Fall Short Against Wentzville Liberty, 56-54 - The Missourian