Paxon HS- The Jackson Tigers overcame a 9-point second half deficit to defeat Lee in the boys gateway conference semifinal 54-42 Thursday night. At one point, the Tigers went on a 16-0 run to take the lead in in the second half and never looked back.
However it was a tale of two halves for Jackson, as they struggled to knock down shots early in the contest. Coach James Collins decided to go big to take advantage of the their height advantage early on. He inserted 6 foot 9 senior Marquez Ray who scored 4 points in the first quarter. He used his large frame to muscle up scores down low yet Lee was not intimidated by him on the defensive end.
Guards Terron Haywood and Antonio Harrison used their ball handling skills to attack the basket and score in the paint. After the first quarter, both teams were knotted at 9-9 a piece.
In the second quarter, Lee built a lead thanks to their guard’s defense and creating fast break points. Forward Trent Watson had a big block for Lee to negate a scoring opportunity for for Jackson.
Forward Jarrion Smith would capitalize on the defense with fast break points as he completed an easy layup to put Lee up 15-11 in the second quarter.
Lee’s defense saw them take a 23-16 lead into halftime, as Tarence Guinyard led on both ends of the court scoring points and blocking shots for the Generals.
In the second half Jackson would turn up the pressure and start to knock down shots. Junior Andre’ Myers came into the game and put the clamps on Lee’s guards forcing desperation shots. Jackson’s leader Davin Daniels would also create defensive stop and direct his team’s agenda on the court.
James Morrow (10 points) and Stephon Payne began to assert themselves down low, while Collins interchanged players with his deep bench to keep pressure on Lee all half. Michael Swift and Bryce Turner both scored 7 points in the rotation.
The strategy worked as Lee saw their 7 point halftime lead turn into a 7 point fourth quarter deficit. Heroic efforts by Guinyard who hit a big three pointer late wasn’t enough. He finished with a game high 20 points in the game but no one else could muster any offense in the second half as Lee played without star Alex Fudge who enrolled at LSU early.
Jackson would take advantage of his absence and advance to the championship to face Paxon on Friday night at Jackson. Paxon defeated First Coast 50-49 in their semifinal contest. Jackie Simmons III led Jackson with 11 points in the game.
