Jackson Prep basketball, back on top
Southern Sports & Travel
It’s been said that absence makes the heart grow fonder. Maybe in the areas of love and friendship but when it comes to winning MAIS championships a long absence leaves the heart with anything but fondness.
In the case of Jackson Prep, enduring 14 seasons without hoisting that Gold Ball has been one of bitter disappointment but on Saturday evening the trophy returned to the most successful boys basketball program in MAIS history.
Jackson Prep defeated Marshall 50-45 on Saturday to win the school’s 14th Overall Championship and cap off a 38-1 season for fifth year head coach David Horner.
Ryan Buchanan scored 15 points and pulled down 14 rebounds in leading Prep to the win as the junior demonstrated why he is arguably the best player in the MAIS.
(Above) Wic Smith (#4) of Jackson Prep drives to the basket in the first half
Jackson Prep wasted little time in getting the basketball to the post as Gage Ray quickly gave Prep a 2-0 lead 23 seconds into the opening quarter.
Marshall would get their first basket at the 6:01 mark on a Chase Ferrell bucket in the paint and the Patriots would take their first lead at 5-2 on their next possession when Kevin Fitzpatrick turned a Prep turnover into a lay-in, plus one, with 5:13 remaining in the quarter.
Jackson Prep would regain the lead at 8-7 on a Whit Kendall lay-in and finish the opening quarter with a Kendall kiss off the glass in the paint followed by a Wic Smith steal and basket at the 46 seconds mark to close out the quarter with Prep on top 12-7.Dakota Dailey got Marshall to within two points at 12-10 with a 3-pointer from the top of the key to start the second quarter and Kevin Fitzpatrick followed with an offensive rebound and stick back to knot the game 12-12 at the 6:22 mark.
The lead would swap hands three times before Marshall reeled of six straight points to take what would be their biggest lead of the game at 21-17 with 1:03 remaining in the half.
Jackson Prep trimmed the deficit to two points at 21-19 on a free throw each from Wic Smith and Josh Williams to close out the first half.
Jackson Prep wasted little time in tying the game at 21-21 to start the third quarter as Ryan Buchanan (Photo right) drained an 18 foot jumper.
Prep regained the lead at 24-21 on De Graeber’s lay-in, plus one, at the 6:39 mark of the third quarter and again the lead changed hands three times but after Brad Bennett’s 3-pointer put Marshall on top at 33-32 with 39 seconds left in the quarter Jackson Prep slowly took control.
A Josh Williams transition basket, plus one, with 8 seconds left in the third quarter gave Prep a 35-33 lead and all the momentum heading into the final eight minutes of play.
Marshall would get to within a point at 35-34 on a Kevin Fitzpatrick free throw one minute into the fourth quarter but free throw shooting would be an Achilles heel for the Patriots in the quarter.
(Above) Kevin Fitzpatrick (#1) of Marshall scored 18 points along with 11 rebounds
Prep fired off an 8-2 run capped by a Thomas Dunbar assist to Wic Smith at the 4:11 mark to give Jackson Prep their biggest lead at 43-36 but Marshall still had some fight left in them.
Dakota Dailey drilled a 3-pointer off a Prep turnover to trim the deficit to 43-39 but Marshall missed an opportunity off consecutive Prep turnovers by missing the front end of a one and one with 2:11 remaining in regulation.
Two Ryan Buchanan free throws gave Prep breathing room at 45-39 but Marshall cashed in on a Prep turnover at the 1:25 mark to pull to within four points at 45-41 on a Kevin Fitzpatrick basket.
Marshall’s Aaron McAlexander hit one of two free throws with 1:06 left to narrow the margin to 45-42 but Jackson Prep closed the door by hitting on 5/8 free throws down the championship stretch to win 50-45.
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| Jackson Prep Patriots - 2012 Overall Tournament Champions |
Jackson Prep was led by junior Ryan Buchanan with 15 points and 14 rebounds, Wic Smith added 11 points, Josh Williams and De Graeber had 6 each, Thomas Dunbar and Whit Kendall 4 apiece and Gage Ray and Cade Noble 2 each.
Marshall (38-4) was led by Kevin Fitzpatrick with 18 points and 11 rebounds, Dakota Dailey added 12, Brad Bennett 9, Aaron McAlexander 4 and Chase Ferrell 2.
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Post Game with Jackson Prep head coach David Horner
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