Lakeland FL- It was another shot at a title for Andrew Jackson as they returned to the state championship game in consecutive years. A shot to redeem their loss from last year. A shot to bring a title back to Main Street for the first time since 1993. A shot to be the only school of six to bring a championship back to Northeast Florida in 2020. Yet these shots would not come to fruition, as their shots didn’t fall against St. Andrews.
The Tigers started the first quarter with their signature defense which seemed to frustrate St. Andrews early. Jackson was able to get to the free throw line shooting 8 of 10 from the line. They trailed by only one point after the first quarter 11-10. Jackson shot a disappointing 27% from the field in the first half. Their leader, senior Logan West was the only double digit scorer in the half with 10 points.
The second quarter was a different story, as Jackson’s shots faded while St. Andrew’s shots fell. Yussif Basa-ama was able to capitalize on transition points as he scored 10 points in the first half. His teammate Joshua Minott created shots as the Scots doubled their first quarter output. Jackson was able to stay close by continuing to get to the free throw line but shot 5 of 14 in the quarter.
Trailing 33-24 to start the third, Jackson’s Kevin Odom sparked the Tigers with his play. He and Davin Daniels created turnovers by steals and converted them into points. Jackson went on a 6-0 run to bring the game closer 33-30 just minutes into the third. They would trail 46-42 going into the 4th.
All year Jackson has been a fourth quarter team, closing teams out in the final minutes with a slow pace and stiffing defense. Their momentum from the third quarter carried them in the fourth as they tied the game with a Logan West basket. Joshua Ragland shot kept the Tiger’s close with a shot to tie the game at 48-48.
Head Coach James Collins elected to hold the ball with 4 minutes remaining in the quarter to set up plays. Yet the shots continued to fade for Jackson, bouncing off the rim into the hands of Scot’s players who streaked down the court for easy transition points. St. Andrews would score seven unanswered points to distance themselves from a winded Jackson team, as the Tigers would fall 57-50.
Jackson out-rebounded St. Andrews 35-31, shot better at the free throw line 74% to 56%. Registered more steals and blocks on defense. The difference in the contest was their inability to knock down the 3-pointer.
Said Coach Collins after the game, ” I’m still very proud of me team and what they accomplished this year”.
Although the season ends as state runners-up for a consecutive year, Jackson still has much optimism for another trip to Lakeland. They return several players including Jackie Simmons III, Kevin Odom, Joshua Ragland, and Davin Daniels. Look for them to return to Lakeland, for yet another shot of returning the State Championship trophy to Main Street.
