In a wild first half, Jaguars Boys Basketball takes 26-25 lead at halftime of sub-section championship vs. Hillcrest Lutheran Academy

It truly is an all-out dogfight as the Jaguars are battling the Hillcrest Lutheran Academy Comets of Fergus Falls in the Sub-Section 6A-South championship game.

After the Jaguars scored the first bucket of the night, the Comets answered right back with a three-pointer to take their first lead of the game with 2 1/2 minutes gone at 3-2.

They went up 5-2 before the Jaguars scored three unanswered shots to go up 8-5. The points came from Matt Goodwin's jumper in the lane, a hard-charging drive by Kevin Kuefler, and then a neat one-handed floater in the lane by Goodwin.

A three-point play by the Comets tied it at 8-8 with 10:01 on the clock.

The Jaguars' offense caught fire over the next couple minutes, sparked by Kuefler's three-point play and a tip-in basket down low, then a breakaway layup from Bennett Weller that began with Goodwin's steal. The Jaguars led 15-9 and appeared to have the momentum solidly on their side.

Another three-point play from Kuefler with 7:42 on the clock made it an 18-12 lead. A frustrated Comets' head coach called a timeout.

Soon out of the timeout, the momentum switched back to the Comets, who hit a three-ball from the top of the key and then four straight free throws to go in front 19-18 with 4:43 left.

Connor Goodwin's paint shot stopped the run and put the Jaguars back on top 20-19 a mere 10 seconds later.

Kuefler's 12-foot jumper put the Jaguars up 22-20, and then Kirby Montbriand's 2-of-2 trip to the line for a bonus free throw chance gave them a four-point lead with under two minutes remaining before halftime.

The Comets scored in the paint with 90 seconds left, then re-gained the lead with 33 seconds left on a three pointer.

With the Jaguars crowd on their feet and the whole B-B-E side holding their breath, Kuefler went up for a mid-range jumper with 11 seconds left, draining the shot and putting his team ahead 26-25 going into the break.

What a first half of basketball!