Lakeland FL- Community School of Naples came into the State Semifinals averaging 66.0 points per game. On Wednesday evening they were held to just 53 points by the Andrew Jackson defense, as Jackson defeated the Seahawks 65-53. Davin Daniels and Kevin Odom scored 10 points a piece, as Jackson received efforts from multiple players on the night for the convincing win.
After falling behind 16-14 in the first quarter, Jackson out scored their opponent 20-10 in the second quarter as Frankie Dennard hit shots for Jackson. It literally was pick your poison when it came to the Tigers offense as eight different players scored on the night. Rickie Shaw hit two 3-pointers in the game scoring 6 points. Jackie Simmons hit a 3-pointer and knocked down shots to tally 9 points. By halftime Jackson had built a 34-26 lead and never looked back.
Down the stretch, great defense by Logan West ( 8 points, 11 rebounds, 3 blocks) kept CSN at bay. While Odom closed out the game scoring three consecutive baskets down the stretch, to stretch the Tiger lead to Ten points. Ten points is almost an insurmountable lead with a well coached team like Jackson and their suffocating defense. The Tigers tallied 10 steals, and forced the Seahawks to shoot 38% from the field.
Coach James Collins is able to go deep into his bench to exploit mismatches and to keep his players fresh. A healthy rotation early on kept CSN chasing in the second half. The strategy worked, as CSN seemed to lack the legs to make shots in the fourth. It is the main reason Jackson is returning to the State Championship.
Jackson will face St. Andrew’s (Boca Raton FL) on Friday 3/7/20 at 10am, as the Tigers look to finish the job they started last year, when they lost in the championship to University 72-46.
2020 Boys Basketball State Tournament Class 3ATop Scorers:
Davin Daniels- 10 points (Jackson)
Kevin Odom – 10 points (Jackson)
Jackie Simmons III- 9 points (Jackson)
Jay Beshears 22 points (CSN)
Ryker Vance 14 points (CSN)
Xavier Lovenson 12 points (CSN)
