Jackson County vs Humboldt – Winning Story
State Tournament coverage presented by Risher Roofing
Story by Noah McKay
MURFREESBORO – For the first time in school history, the Jackson County Blue Devils are state champions.
Jackson County knocked off Humboldt 52-39 in the 2026 TSSAA Class 1A State Championship Game on Saturday at the Murphy Center.
“Just so proud,” said JCHS head coach Kevin Thomas. “To be able to come back home and have been home 10 years and be able to bring a state championship to the community is just awesome.”
The Vikings opened the game with a 6-0 run before an Isaiah Thomas bucket started a 12-2 JCHS run to give the Blue Devils a 12-8 lead after one.
Class 1A Mr. Basketball Will McCrary converted an and-one to give the Blue Devils a 15-8 lead early in the second before the Vikings answered with a 14-4 run to gain a 22-19 lead. Aden Netherton buried a three with 47 seconds to go to tie the game at 22 at halftime.
Parker Patterson rained two threes midway through the third to stretch the lead to 31-24. The Vikings cut the deficit to four before Aden Netherton hit a three with six seconds remaining to give the Blue Devils a 39-32 lead after three.
The Vikings would not get within seven as the Blue Devils made nine free throws in the final frame to deliver a gold ball home to Gainesboro.
“We knew this goal was out there for us and it just feels so good to reach it,” said coach Thomas. “We talked about coming to the tournament with a purpose. We knew that our purpose was we wanted to come back and win the state championship, and we got it done.”
McCrary led the Blue Devils with 18 points and 15 rebounds. Patterson scored 13 points with five rebounds. Alex Meadows scored 10 points with five rebounds. Netherton scored six points. Isaiah Thomas scored five points.
“It’s a lot to take in,” said McCrary. “Glory to God. I’m just excited and our hard work has paid off.”
McCrary was named MVP of the tournament. Netherton, Patterson and Meadows each were named to the All-Tournament Team.
The championship marked the culmination in the high school careers of seniors Isaiah Thomas, Patterson, Skyler Stacy, Meadows, Netherton and McCrary. They reached the state tournament in back-to-back seasons, including a final four finish in last year’s Class 2A tournament.
“Tonight was their 100th win,” said coach Thomas on the most prolific senior class in JCHS history. “They just do whatever they need to do to win the game.”
The Blue Devils ended the season with a 32-5 overall record. They were the District 7-A tournament champions, the Region 4-A tournament champions and now, state champions.
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