Jacksonville's Golden Eagles went on the road last week and played three games, picking up two wins and a loss in three close, fast paced games.

The Golden Eagles (15-7, 4-1) ranked No.8 in Class 4A in the most recent ASWA polls, beat recently crowned county champions Saks, 56-51, won an all-important area match up with Alexandria 85-81 in overtime and then lost to Oxford the following night in a 49-45 thriller.

The battle weary Eagles will have no time to rest as they play four games this week. Jacksonville was to have hosted Southside for Senior Night Monday night (results unavailable), and then will play in its final home game of the regular season in an all-important area make up game with Hokes Bluff on Wednesday night. A win would clinch the Area 12 championship for Jacksonville and give it the right to host the area playoffs.

Jacksonville will travel to play White Plains on Thursday and Weaver on Friday as the Eagles gear up for the area tournament that will begin on Friday, Feb. 5.

Having lost to Oxford in three close games already during the season, the latest in the semi-final game of the Calhoun County tournament that ended the Eagles chances of going to the championship game, Jacksonville knew what it was up against playing the Yellow Jackets.

The battle between Jacksonville's 6-7 Tristan Garmon and Oxford's 7-1 Justan Banks continued. Garmon out jumped Banks to win the opening tip-off but it was Banks that drew first blood, shooting over Garmon for the game's first basket.

Garmon did the same thing on his first trip down court, taking the ball right at Banks and shooting over the top of his outstretched hands for two points.

Oxford went on to take its first big lead of the game, 17-11 and Jacksonville was down 19-14 at the end of the first quarter.

After Oxford's Kwon Alexander gave the Yellow Jackets a 20-14 lead following a foul shot, the Eagles came clawing back. Garmon got his team to within one, 20-19 with 5:25 remaining in the half.

With play getting even more rough and contested under the basket, Oxford's Justin Lawler and Alexander jumped the score back up to a 10-point 35-25 lead to go into the locker room.

Jacksonville had trouble containing Oxford's Steven Lane who scored 17 points in the game for the Yellow Jackets.

With the Yellow Jackets leading 40-32 going into the fourth quarter, Jacksonville's Ethan Maske came alive and scored two quick baskets. Maske, who leads the Golden Eagles in scoring, had been held to only two points prior and finished the game with eight points.

Garmon stood outside and confidently sank a three and Maske stole the ball and took it all the way for two and suddenly the Eagles had outscored Oxford 9-0 and had a 41-40 lead with 6:30 left to play.

Maske managed a rebound and layup to put the Eagles up 43-42 with under three minutes left to play but it was the last lead the Eagles would enjoy.

Oxford went on to make two more baskets and a foul shot for the win.

Garmon led the Eagles with 28 points, 11 rebounds and four blocks. He was assisted by Maske with eight points,

Even though the Eagles had already beaten Alexandria twice, once soundly in the county tournament, the Valley Cubs, who earlier in the week had beaten Cherokee County, were ready for Jacksonville this time.

"They came out with energy and played hard from the beginning tip to the end," said JHS coach Anthony Kingston of the Cubs. "They didn't back down, even though we had beat them by double-digits in the county tournament.

"They came out like the Alexandria of old and just took it to us. They had us on our heels and we had to scrap and fight back."

Alexandria led 17-13 after one; 38-36 at the half and 60-55 at the end of three.

Jacksonville had all they could do to fight their way back into the game. Golden Eagle Nick Quinn calmly took a long two point shot from just inside the arc to tie up the game with time running out.

Jacksonville had a chance to win it in regulation but a shot by Maske just wouldn't stay in.

In overtime, the Eagles went back to their motion offense and Garmon made some moves to score twice down low as did Deonte Elston and the Eagles were able to pick up another area win, 85-81. Garmon ended up with five of his game high 36 points in overtime and Elston had four of his seven points. Maske added 21 points.

Earlier in the week the Eagles beat Saks, who had just been crowned area champs two days earlier, 56-51.

Jacksonville led after the first and second periods of play but the score was tied 39-39 at the end of three.

Maske led Jacksonville with 24 points and was 12-for-13 from the foul line. Garmon had 11 points, eight rebounds and two blocks.