Jackson High School player Jada Patton (1) scored 16 points in a Viking win. Photo by Jeff Steers, JTV Sports.
By Jeff Steers
JTV Sports
Jackson High School girls’ basketball Coach Nacoya Weatherspoon said senior Jada Patton has to “find here inner peace” to be successful.
Patton must have found it in the fourth quarter against Lumen Christi Catholic High School on Tuesday night at home.
She exploded for 10 points in the final quarter as the Vikings pulled out a 50-39 win over their rivals from across town.
With the win the Vikings improved to 3-2 overall, while Lumen Christi lost its first game of the season. The Titans are 3-1 on the young campaign.
Lumen Christi led 30-28 heading into the final eight minutes of action. Patton scored eight consecutive points as the Vikings pulled away for the win.
“We just had to adjust and trust one another,” Weatherspoon said. “Jada has to stay calm and under control for us.”
She did that finishing with 16 points and six rebounds.
“When I am out of control, I don’t play right,” Patton said. “When I do play under control, it is good for the team.
“Tonight was a good team effort.”
Both teams struggled to score the first 12 minutes of the game. Lumen Christi led 6-4 at the end of the first quarter.
Jackson outscored the Titans 14-6 to end the second quarter. Alaysia Johnson gave the Vikings a boost with six points in the quarter.
The Vikings led 20-18 at the halftime.
It appeared as if the Vikings would pull away taking a 24-19 lead early in the third quarter. But Catriana Carroll scored six points in the third quarter giving the Titans a lead.
Lumen Christi took 4-point leads twice to start the final eight minutes of action before Patton took over. She scored four consecutive baskets and assisted on a 3-point basket by Madison Wagner.
The Vikings held a 13-point lead at one point in the fourth quarter.
Wagner finished with eight points, five rebounds and five steals for Jackson. Johnson also scored eight points and Aria Moore and Maya Pierce added seven points apiece for the Vikings.
Lumen Christi was led by Carroll with 18 points and 10 rebounds. Chloe Pryson added four points, nine rebounds and four steals. Megan Gibson scored six points and tallied eight rebounds for Lumen Christi.
