(file photo)
Jackson trumps Lumen 55-43 on the hardwood, both teams shift focus to postseason
By Mike Moore
Staff Writer
Jackson – From the football field, to the frozen ice, and now the hardwood.
In terms of the 2015-16 sports season, the guys at Jackson have had Lumen Christi’s number.
Baseball season begins in mere weeks.
The Vikings completed the season sweep in basketball Thursday night, using a strong first-quarter run and some key defensive stands to exit lumen with a 55-43 victory in the regular-season finale for both teams.
“There was a lot of pressure coming in here tonight,” Jackson coach Dan Crowley said after the win. “They may only be a one-win team, but we knew they were going to give us their best, and they did. We were able to make some big plays down the stretch, and that was huge.”
“It was the story of our season here tonight,” Lumen’s Pat Neville said. “We cut it four in the fourth quarter, missed a lay up, and then they made a huge play. Story of our season.”
The game was even much of the first quarter, but the Vikings closed the opening frame on a 6-0 run to lead 15-8 at the break.
The lead seemed to hold solid anywhere from seven to 11 points the rest of the night.
The Vikings led 27-19 at halftime and 41-32 entering the fourth.
Lumen pulled within four with 2:38 remaining, but then had its ice-cold shooting return down the stretch.
“Our defense was huge,” Crowley said, praising the effort and hustle of his guys. “They tried to spread us out, but we did a good job cutting off the lanes and helping on the weak side.”
Lumen’s offense never seemed to get on track, shooting just 7-of-27 from the field in the first half.
A number of possessions were of the one-shot type, and often times said shot was a deep 3-pointer.
R’Mand Brown led the Vikings in scoring with 13 points, while Shonte Suddeth added 12, Deangelo Weaver scored 10, and Sam Williams added eight.
The Vikings close the regular season 11-9, on a five-game win streak and won’t play again until next Wednesday in a district semifinal at Holt.
Jackson will face the winner of Monday’s Northwest-Okemos game.
“Very proud of these guys for the season we’ve had so far,” Crowley said. “To close with five wins and beat some of the teams we’ve beaten is pretty cool.”
Kristopher Wallace led Lumen with 12 points, while Nolan Crowley scored nine and Jon Brys added eight.
The Titans close the season 1-18 and face Stockbridge (14-5) next Wednesday at Leslie.
“After this game, we talked about the baseball team and how they entered the playoffs about a .500 team and then won a state title,” Neville said. “Now, I’m not saying this is a team ready to win a state title, but we could go on a little run. If we play to our strengths and do what we can do, we’ll put up a fight.”
The win Thursday night marked the first time ever Jackson had swept the season series in football, hockey and basketball over Lumen Christi.
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.