The Golden Eagles of Jacksonville High School followed their Lady Eagle counterparts as they also won in the finals to capture a championship in the Van Deerman Classic.

Jacksonville narrowly escaped in their semifinal game as they squeaked out a 67-65 victory over cross-county rival Pleasant Valley, and then battled a quick and athletic Oneonta team for a 61-52 victory.

Jacksonville (8-3, 3-1) is playing in the Big Orange Classic in Hoover through Wednesday and then will take on Saks at home on Saturday.

Jacksonville had to play both games of the Van Deerman Classic without leading rebounder and second-leading scorer, 6-6 Tristan Garmon who was out of the tournament due to illness.

In the championship game against Oneonta, while Garmon obviously would have helped out his team, the night belonged to senior Ethan Maske who virtually controlled every aspect of the game.

Maske was outstanding as he shot an incredible 11-for-15 from the field to include 2-for-2 from three point range and was 12-for-15 from the foul line to lead all scorers with 36 points.

When Jacksonville was behind in the game, it was Maske that came to the rescue. Down 14-11 at the end of the first quarter, Jacksonville was in danger of going even further behind at the end of the first half. Oneonta went up 24-21 with just over a minute left in the half. Maske quickly put the Eagles on top with two quick baskets, getting the ball on outlet passes and going the distance to lay the ball up and in.

Oneonta scored the last basket of the half to take a 26-25 lead.

Down 34-31 in the third quarter, Maske put on a shooting exhibition and Jacksonville scored ten unanswered points. After scoring two three's, Maske drove the lane and was violently fouled and had to leave the game for a couple of minutes.

Nick Quinn made both of Maske's fouls and then Quinn hit a nice jump shot from the outside to put the Eagles up 41-37.

While Oneonta made several attempts during the fourth quarter to take over the lead, they were never able to get closer than two points as they closed the score to 48-46 with 3:55 remaining in the game.

Maske just couldn't be stopped however as he continued to drive, to pull up for the soft jumper, to hit from the outside and to dish off some nice assists.

Head coach Anthony Kingston was pleased with the way his team had played, slowing down the tempo to keep the high scoring Oneonta team from playing their game.

In addition to Maske's 36 points, Jervon Cowden added eight points, Nick Quinn six, Robert Quinn and Deonte Elston four points each, Josh Willis two and Tyler Ross one.

The Eagles were lucky to be playing in the championship game as Pleasant Valley gave them all that they could handle in their 67-65 win.

As has happened too many times this season, the Golden Eagles gave up a 36-27 halftime lead to fall behind in the third quarter and have to play inspired ball to get the win.

Jacksonville was outscored by the Raiders 21-9 in the third quarter. "We had too many turnovers and played chaotic," said Kingston of his team's play. "They had a diamond press and we turned over the ball."

Down 48-45 at the end of the third quarter, Jacksonville fought back for the win.

Jacksonville was led by Maske with 14 points, followed by Elston with 13 points and nine rebounds, Cowden, 11 points, and Josh Willis and Knox Newell with eight points each.

Also contributing were Robert Quinn with seven points, Tyler Ross with five and Hunter Green added one point.

Pleasant Valley made an impressive showing in the tournament. After losing to Jacksonville the Raiders went on to beat Faith Christian, 90-66 and Weaver, 78-63 to take third place in the tournament. The Raiders avenged earlier losses to both teams.

Joseph Faucett led the Raiders against Faith Christian with 22 points. Three other Raiders were also in double figures as Bubba Woodard had 17 points, Austin Tate 14 and Michael Lockridge 10.

Against Weaver, Aaron Strickland led Pleasant Valley with 17 points. Woodard added 13 points, Zade Adams and Joseph Faucett each had 12 and Stephen Hurst and Lockridge were also in double figures with 10 points each.