” I cant lose” is something everyone tells themselves on the basketball court; yet at some point in the game you have to prove this to you’re opponent. Well in the Class 5A Regional Semifinals, Jackson would prove this by halftime, building a 14-point lead and eventually engulfing Bolles in a 32-point inferno of defense in the boys basketball regional semifinals.
The defensive struggle was felt on both sides of the ball initially. three minutes ran off the clock without more than two scores on the board. Knotted at a score of 2-2 for the first part of the playoff contest, Jackson was the first to crack the code to the defensive chess game. The Tigers capitalized on their length and height by gaining offensive rebounds and blocking layups and shots at the rim.
Their defensive efforts would open up offensive opportunities for Jackson who penetrated the defense to find the open man for lay-ups and jumpers. An early recipient of this was guard David Daniels who hit open shots to the chorus of the Jackson crowd chants of “Maaaiiin Streeet”. Daniles 6 points at halftime was one of the catalyst for Jackson converting their field goals at a high percentage. He would finish with 8 points in the game.
Bolles would attempt to fight back, but unfortunatly for the Bulldogs it only came from one man. David Crouch played with urgency slashing to the basket and drawing fouls. His 6-points at halftime led all scorers for Bolles, as incredibly only two other Bulldogs players managed to score 2- points each. Crouch would finish with 8-points to lead all Bolles scorers.
Credit the Jackson defense for such low point production as they held Bolles to just 11 points at halftime. Joshua Knox (10 points), who normally is the offensive weapon for the Tigers,decided to have a block party in the game. He elevated several times for blocks from behind and at the rim, tallying 4 rejections for the game. No it wasn’t just his effort, but a total team effort that led to a complete shut down of the Bolles offense who came into the game averaging 31.6 ppg.
Logan West finished with 15 points for Jackson. He dominated down low in the post abusing smaller defenders. He also showed is athleticism by forcing a steal one on one at mid court, which led to fast break points for Jackson. Senior Brandon Fleming summed up the win perfectly for the team, ” I wasn’t ready for the season to end here, so I came out and gave it my all and it paid off in the end”. The Tigers truly gave it their all and it paid dividends.
After losing to Bolles 42-41 just 11 days earlier in the district title game, Jackson would enact revenge over Bolles, defeating the Bulldogs 56-24 in front of a stunned crowd. Incredibly, the fire they faced in losing a district championship game at home, fueled their playoff performance when it counted the most. Said Coach James Collins after the win, ” We’re just looking to move on to the next round, but we’re going to celebrate this win”. Jackson will face the 18-11 FSU ( Florida High) Seminoles in the Regional Finals on Friday. FSU upset Walton 48-47 in their semifinal contest.
