Raines vs. Jackson was a matchup of two of the best teams in the area. It was highly competitive and evenly matched. Defense ruled the day as each team struggled to score. Raines used a full court trapping defense for most of the game while Jackson employed a straight man to man defense. It was also a battle of contrasting styles.
Jackson looks primarily to get the ball in the post to Sophomore Xaniya Jackson and Junior Irene Kabassubabo. Combined they put up 22 points, 25 rebounds and were 10-14 from the free throw line. Raines looks to penetrate and kick with their dynamic duo at guard, Seniors Selah Reddick and Ahliah Brown. Reddick was brilliant in finding her teammates helping Brown score 20 points and fellow starting guard Courtney Lewis score 13 points.
The game was close throughout but Raines was the victor on this night getting the win over Jackson 49-45. Jackson made it interesting at thee end though. They got the ball down 4 with less than a minute in the game. Raines played excellent defense and forced a miss but Xaniah Jackson got the offensive rebound and put back with the foul. She made the free throw and Jackson was down by 1. Jackson was forced to foul and Raines (Reddick) makes 1 of 2 from the line putting them up by 2 with 14 seconds in the game.
Jackson appeared to to tie it up as they got through the tough Raines defense all the way to the basket, but Selah Reddick made the play of the game getting the steal and icing the game at the free throw line making both with 3.9 seconds on the clock.
Jackson (6-1) plays their district rival Episcopal(5-2) on Friday, Dec. 11. Raines(8-3) has Lee (2-8) on Thursday, Dec. 10 and then a big rivalry game against Bishop Kenny on Saturday, Dec. 12.
Scores:
