Champs! Jackson Boys Basketball on Top of Gateway Conference!

Raines HS-Ā It was third times a charm for the Jackson Boys Basketball team, as they defeated Raines in the Gateway Conference Championship 61-56 to be crowned conference champions. In 2015, the Tigers lost a thrilling last second game to Ed White in the Gateway Conference Championship. In 2017, Jackson lost a heart breaker at home to Ribault in the Gateway Conference Championship. But in 2018, Jackson and Head Coach James Collins had something to prove to themselves by getting over the hump that’s blocked them the last four years. They did so by upsetting the #2 ranked Vikings at home to hoist the trophy.

Jackson came into the contest ranked #5 in the seeding, however the Tigers have played their best basketball the last month. Coach Collins contributes that to maturity as his young team continues to play more basketball together ” We kept the flow of our offense going tonight, that was the difference in the game”. The Tigers were able to put up 61 points, their second highest point total versus Raines this year in four total meetings. However their defense had trouble containing the Vikings at home, which is to be expected when you’ve played a team three times this season. Not to mention the Tigers have played four games in five days. Yet Jackson seems to have Raine’s number as they’ve defeated the Vikings in all four meetings this season. This contest was the closest yet, but the Tigers pulled it out to continue their impressive six game winning streak. Jackson now turns their focus to districts, as they attempt to continue their undefeated streak versus area teams in 2018. The main reason they are on top of the Gateway Conference as champions.

Congratulations to the team!

Maxpreps Roster

1 Joshua Knox F Jr. 6-4 171
2 Mike DecembreĀ (C) G Sr. 5-9 158
3 Randolph Myers F Jr. 6-3 178
10 David DanielsĀ (C) PG Jr. 6-0 165
11 Logan West F So. 6-5 190
12 Veatrice Milton PG So. 5-9 145
15 Ra’shiad Newsome G Jr. 6-1 169
20 Freddy Hatcher SF Jr. 6-1 170
21 Teron Haywood PG Fr. 5-6 140
24 Davin Daniels SF Fr. 6-2 164
30 Marquez Ray C Fr. 6-7 185
40 Davion Herrod F Fr. 6-4 178
About the author

Andre' Ellis, Founder/ Lead Writer DuvalSports.com Florida Times Union All-City 1998,LB, Sandalwood Florida A&M Unv, BA , MBA