The breakthrough came last Thursday when the Jaguars faced Hayfield High in the district’s first round.
Though the Hayfield Hawks beat the Jaguars 67-47, the team was disqualified because some teammates were found to have been under academic suspension, thereby violating tournament regulations.
The decision advanced the Jaguars onto the semifinal district game against Yorktown High Friday night.
Despite strong play from the Jaguars offense and sophomore Sachin Gangele, who scored two straight layups for the Jaguars in the last minutes of the first half, the Jaguars lagged behind the Patriots 28-15 by halftime.
With the Patriots’ unrelenting defense, the Jaguars weren’t able to break past their lead, adding only four points to the scoreboard in the third.
The Jaguars lost to the Patriots, 59-41.
However, with the advance into districts, the Jaguars automatically make it into the Northern Region playoff, another first in seven years for the boys varsity team.
