Basketball shoots and scores

From Issue 6

Senior Cam Brent (Photo courtesy Jackson Prep)

Both Jackson Prep basketball teams are off to a great start as conference play has begun.

The boys are playing their best basketball of the season. They have won three out of their first four conference games, with the one loss being by just one point to a very good MRA team. The girls team has also won three of their first four, with their lone loss also being by one point to MRA.

The boys basketball team currently has a record of 21-4 (5-1 in conference) and is playing their best ball of the season to this point. They have won seven of their last eight games, four of which have been in conference play. To begin conference play, Prep played cross town rival JA. This was a tightly played game throughout, as the game remained close until the final minutes. After a pair of clutch three pointers from Haddon McLeod and Lampton Moore, the Patriots were able to pull out a huge win over JA by a score of 40-37 in the conference opener. The next big test for Prep came against MRA, who is regarded as a top ten team in the state regardless of division. Cam Brent had an incredible game for Prep, scoring a team high 26 points. Prep found itself trailing by double digits in the fourth quarter, but they were able to fight back to get the score within one. Unfortunately, they could not score at the very end and lost to a tough MRA team on the road 52-53.

Prep’s next conference opponent was PCS. This game was tight throughout, but the Patriots were able to pull away from the Bobcats and wound up winning 46-41. The following Tuesday the Patriots played at Hartfield Academy. Hartfield led early on, but eventually Prep was too much for Hartfield to handle. They pulled away in the second half and won 45-38. The next game was at Parklane Academy, where they won yet another closely contested game by a score of 50-47.

The girls basketball team currently has a record of 26-2 (5-1 in conference). They have proven to this point in the season that they are one of the best teams in the MAIS, and that level of play has continued into conference play. They have won eleven of their last twelve games, with the lone loss being in a game at MRA by only one point. Andie Flatgard has been fantastic for the girls so far, and has been the go to player when the Patriots need a bucket. Josie Duncan has been another one of the top scorers for Prep, particularly from behind the three point line. Others including Olivia Smith, Julia Strandinger, and Kennedie Sanders have all played well, especially in the absence of Madeleine black over the last few games.

Senior Andie Flatgard (Photo courtesy Jackson Prep)

In their most recent contests, both the boys and girls teams got big wins over conference rival JA. The girls game was back and forth and was tight throughout. Andie Flatgard had another great game and was able to carry the girls to a 38-35 victory of the Raiders. The boys team got off to a hot start in their game and did not look back. Cam Brent was incredible for Prep, totalling 33 points on the night. Prep was dominant on both sides of the ball, and dominated the Raiders in the rebounding department. The Patriots went on to finish the game in convincing fashion, winning 56-43, completing the regular season sweep over JA.

Overall, both Prep teams have shown that they will be right in contention for the overall MAIS championship this season. Both conference losses for the girls and boys have only come by one point against MRA teams who they will have another crack at on January 28th at home. The ending of this basketball season should be very exciting, as both teams still have a very big goal left in sight.