Northeast Fl- When Jackson guard Jahari Simmons drove to the basket scoring a contested layup late in the fourth quarter the entire gym knew that the game was over. The score ballooned the lead to 9-points as the clock clicked to zeros meaning Jackson had won it’s fifth Gateway Conference Championship in seven years, defeating Raines 57-48.
Jahari Simmons! To the rack!! He seals it for Jackson up 55-45 over Raines with less than a minute to pay! Gateway Conference Championship! pic.twitter.com/d2SNmAPoif
— Duval Sports (@DuvalSports) January 27, 2024
For Jackson, it was a return to the number one spot, after falling to Ribault last year in the tournament title game. The Tigers were on a mission and it showed from the start of the game. Jackson jumped out to a 12-10 lead after the first quarter. The close quarter saw Jackson’s Jakauri Fisher score 8 of his team’s 12-points. Fisher electrified the home crowd with two 3-pointers helping to propel his team in front of a determined Raines squad.
For Raines, it was Jeremiah White who was the hot shooter in the first quarter. White hit a 3-pointer of his own, scoring 5-points in the quarter keeping the game close and competitive. Another reason Raines kept it close was because of their defense. Makai Purkiss would block shots including a nasty rejection pinning the ball against the glass. Defense kept scoring low early.
@duvalsports Makai Purkiss protects the Paint for Raines!
♬ On They Neck – BigWalkDog
Jackson would extend their lead in the second quarter, first with defense and then with offense. Oon defense, the Tigers protected the rim turning away Vikings guards who dared to drive to the paint. On offense Jackson moved the ball with perfection, keeping Raines off balance and guessing. Octavious Lawson finished with 9-points, Jaylen Dopson chipped in 6-points, and Taishawn Thomas scored 5-points including this big shot that gave Jackson a 30-24 halftime lead.
Jackson's Taishawn Thomas closes out the first half of the Gateway Conference Championship! Jackson leads 30-24 over Raines! Packed house off Main St! pic.twitter.com/mHrIKj6jZD
— Duval Sports (@DuvalSports) January 27, 2024
In the second half Raines would attempt to close the gap against Jackson with pin-point shooting from guards Ta’veon Dunbar (13 points), and Zion Kemp (6 points). Raines attempted to create mismatches on offense, but no matter how many picks they tried, Jackson was able to switch and not lose an advantage with their small yet athletically long line-up.
Ta'veon Dunbar with the pull up off the dribble SWISH! Raines keeping it close 26-22 trialing Jackson Gateway Conference Championship 2nd pic.twitter.com/gJQ4V3ssMN
— Duval Sports (@DuvalSports) January 27, 2024
In the end, Ronald Durham would lay the boom with a big dunk and lead all scorers with 16-points. His strong effort led the way for Jackson to reclaim what was rightfully theirs. Said Durham after the game “this feels good, it’s something we’ve worked real hard for, last year we weren’t in this position so we just thank God that we are this year”.
The road to another Gateway Conference Championship wasn’t easy for Jackson (19-3). The Tigers defeated #1 seed Ribault (17-6) on Thursday enacting revenge against the Trojans who dealt them a defeat in the conference final last year. Coach James Collins always has his team focused and prepared as their ultimate goal is to bring a state championship back to Jackson.
As for Raines, they upset #1 seed Paxon on Friday after the game was postponed due to moisture problems on the Paxon floor Thursday. The now 18-6 Vikings have had a major resurgence this year under Coach Torien Moore. Even in defeat, they showed why they are one of the best teams in the city as Gateway Conference Championship runners-up.
