STATE BOUND: Jackson County Erases 9-Point Fourth-Quarter Deficit To Defeat East Nashville In 2A Sectionals, 66-55

By Michael Lindsay

 

The Jackson County Blue Devils (28-2) are headed to the TSSAA boys state tournament for the first time since 2008 following Monday’s 66-55 victory over East Nashville in the Class 2A sectional round.

“This is huge to get Jackson County High School back to the state tournament,” said Blue Devil head coach Kevin Thomas. “This is our third substate in the last four years, and we just couldn’t get over the hump on the road. But man, to be here in front of our home crowd and get that done is so exciting. I’m excited for everybody in this county.”

Jackson County trailed 51-42 with 6:40 remaining before going on a 17-2 run over the next 3 minutes and 12 seconds to take a 59-53 lead with 3:28 left.

“We started picking them up and pressing them,” said Thomas. “They started taking some quick shots and that helped us. When they went man, I thought we were in pretty good shape.”

Jackson County was led by Parker Patterson with 24 points along with 22 from Will McCrary. Alex Meadows followed with 18 points.

“Parker stayed locked in the entire night,” said Thomas. “His demeanor on the offensive end was big. In transition, we got better in the fourth quarter. Will rebounded well all night and he settled in late in the game.”

East Nashville jumped out to a 9-4 lead midway through the first quarter before the Blue Devils pulled within a possession by the end of the frame at 15-12.

Jackson County took their first lead of the contest at 17-15 with 6:41 left in the second period via a Meadows three-pointer. The teams traded lead through the second period with the Blue Devils holding a 28-24 halftime advantage.

East Nashville took control in the early portions of the second half as they opened the third quarter on a 10-3 run to take a 34-30 lead with 5:19 left in the frame. The Eagles led by as many as nine points (42-33) in the third period and led 46-40 entering the fourth quarter.

The Eagles extended their lead to 51-42 with 6:40 remaining. With a state tournament berth on the line, the Blue Devils responded with a 17-2 run over the ensuing 3:12 to take a 59-53 lead with 3:28 left.

Patterson hit a three-pointer, finished an and-one and hit three free throws during the run along with five points from Meadows and four from McCrary.

East Nashville tacked on a free throw to cut their deficit to 59-54 with 3:13 left, but got no closer as Jackson County held East Nashville to only one point in the final 3 minutes to win by a 66-55 final score.

“Our fans had our side completely full,” said Thomas. “Being at home in the substate is huge; the environment was loud and into it.”

The state tournament trip will be Jackson County’s first since 2008. The Blue Devils clinched the historic victory with a roster featuring no seniors.

“We came on late last year and got to the substate, but we knew if we got back we’d have to go through a Nashville school,” said Thomas. “We tried to get ourselves ready for this type of game and that really helped us.”

The Blue Devils will open Class 2A state tournament play on Wednesday, March 19 a5 8:45 p.m. at the Murphy Center in Murfreesboro against Jackson Central-Merry.

“We’re going to rest and enjoy this for a little bit,” said Thomas. “It’s a long time from the substate to the state tournament. You get used to playing, so we’d like to be playing, but it’s a fine line on how you handle that time off.”