It has been a long time since the Perry Bluejays have won the Raccoon River Conference boys basketball title.  Tonight, the Bluejays can seal the deal when they host Bondurant Farrar in a 7:30 game at the Perry Sports Pavilion.  The Bluejays (9-3)are a game ahead of both Bondurant (8-4) and Carroll (8-4)with two games left on the schedule.

“This is going to be a lot of fun,” smiled Head Coach Ned Menke.  “This is why you play year long basketball and put in the hours in the off season for games like tonight.  Hopefully our kids will enjoy the moment.”

It could be a special moment for a handful of seniors playing their final game in the Pavilion.  It has been a senior class that has fought through 3 losing seasons only to put together this strong turnaround.

“This senior class will be remembered for their team work.  They have always stayed positive through some tough times but have always worked hard and never gave up.  Tonight could be a special night for them,” added Menke.

The Bluejays of Perry lost to the Bondurant Farrar Bluejays 89-81 earlier this year.  Perry will also look to bounce back from a shocking loss to Winterset last Friday night.

“Winterset played really well against us.  We obviously had way too many holes defensively for them to score 30 points above their season average.  Our guys held a players meeting in the locker room right after the game and addressed some issues that they felt needed to be cleared up.  They talked about the importance of the team concept and how individual statistics are not nearly as important as the final scoreboard in the end.  Little things through the course of the game as simple as giving credit to a guy that makes a good pass to you.  I thought it was a real  humbling, genuine and important 15 minute discussion.”

With a Perry win, the Bluejays will clinch a share of the Raccoon River Conference Title.  They can win the title outright with a victory against Boone Friday night.

Shawn Kenney will have the play by play on KDLS and raccoonvalleyradio.com