CLAYTON — The Jefferson High School boys basketball team is rolling. Jefferson won its eighth straight game with a comfortable 77-68 victory on the road over the Northmont Thunderbolts on Saturday, Jan. 16.

Jefferson (8-1) had five players score in double digits, including 6-foot-10 center Adreian Payne, whose healthy stat line read 17 points, 15 rebounds and 8 blocks.

Irving Wood and Joby Jackson chipped in 13 points each.

“This is probably the most unselfish team we’ve had in the 14 years I’ve been here,” Jefferson coach Art Winston said of the offensive balance.

Payne had a quiet first half (5 points) but erupted in the second with some electrifying dunks and strong interior defense. He put an exclamation point on the game with a monster jam off a missed Broncos’ free throw with seconds remaining.

Winston said he has wanted his big man to pace himself and stay out of foul trouble so he can be around to impact games late.

“He did an excellent job,” said Winston.

Northmont (8-5) battled to stay within reach but a lack of depth and exhausted players coming off a 69-66 loss to Wayne on Friday made it tough.

“We spent a lot of energy last night,” Northmont coach Jim Brown said. “I was concerned about that. I don’t really have a bench.

“I knew it would be difficult so it wasn’t a shock.”

Zach Newsome and Steve Newell had 17 points each for Northmont.

The Thunderbolts sliced Jefferson’s lead to single digits with a Jaron Isaac 3-pointer early in the fourth quarter but Payne answered with a follow dunk that put the Broncos up 57-47.

“Every time we would make a run, we made a turnover or a mistake,” said Brown, adding that he was impressed by Jefferson’s shooting.