Poljan pours in 31 as Lansing Catholic outruns and outlasts Jackson 65-59
By Mike Moore
Staff Writer
Jackson – In a game of high-paced runs, it was ultimately a little old-fashion muscle down low that was the difference.
The Jackson boys basketball team recovered from a nine-point deficit to start the fourth quarter Tuesday night against Lansing Catholic, but in some key times had no answer for senior power forward Tony Poljan in what eventually played out to a 65-59 loss at home.
“It was a game of runs, and after we made our run, we didn’t take care of the ball when we needed,” Jackson coach Dan Crowley said afterwards. “But that’s a great team. They were getting the ball in transition and hurting us early.”
The Cougars surprised Jackson a bit with an up-tempo attack, scoring 17 in the first quarter for a two-point lead at the break.
With 3:11 to play in the first half, the lead had swelled to 32-24.
“We saw two different games of theirs and neither did they play at that pace,” Crowley said. “When they turned the pace up, we weren’t getting back and finding guys. But it wasn’t for a lack of effort. Our guys gave a great effort tonight.”
Jackson trimmed the deficit to 32-28 by halftime.
But as the third unfolded, the Cougars continued to play at a frantic pace, and turned a 36-36 game into a 48-39 advantage entering the fourth.
“We just decided we weren’t going to give up or play afraid,” Crowley said of his guys as they entered the final quarter. “We made those extra passes. We hit some big 3-pointers. We got some transition baskets. We got the momentum back on our side.”
Marquise Robinson drilled some big shots and the defense came to life in the opening minutes of the fourth.
The nine-point deficit was gone in the blink of an eye, and after a 12-2 run, Jackson led 51-50.
But, led by Poljan, the Cougars would have the last run and the last laugh.
Poljan, a standout quarterback headed to Central Michigan University, finished the game with 31 points, a number of those on second-chance opportunities.
“You have to have help. And they have kids who can shoot, which made it tough to help on him,” Crowley said of an inability to slow Poljan down. “And, he’s 6-8, with a big body, and he’s tough to get around. He works hard down low.”
Owen Rush added 10 points for Lansing Catholic, while Joey Fata and Mitchell Burnett finished with seven, each.
The Cougars (No. 8 in Class B) upped their record to 10-1.
Robinson led Jackson (5-7) with 18 points, 14 of which came in the second half. R’Mand Brown scored 16 in the loss, while Sam Williams added 15 and Shonte Suddeth finished with 10.
The Vikings travel to Sexton Friday night before playing three-consecutive home games against Ypsilanti, Grand Ledge and Eastern.
“You want to protect your house,” Crowley said of the upcoming home stand. “We’ve had some great practices, and the kids attitudes are great. You want to keep it going that way.”
Mike Moore is a play-by-play commentator and Sports Writer for JTV Sports. You can reach him at mjm12@albion.edu. He’s also the author of ‘Love, Defined; A Dedication to the Love, Sacrifice, and Magic of Motherhood.’
Love, Defined is available at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Tate Publishing or by contacting Mike directly.