The Golden Eagles finish the season with a 23-8 record.
Finding themselves behind most of the game, the Golden Eagles made a fourth quarter splurge, outscoring the Bulldogs 19-12, but it just wasn’t enough.
A desperation shot by Jacksonville’s Tristan Garmon with two seconds left on the clock hit the rim on the side, just short of tying up the game and sending it into overtime.
Jacksonville took an early 2-0 lead on a jumper by Nick Quinn but that was the last lead they would see until the third quarter.
Garmon, the Golden Eagles’ leading scorer, was held to just one basket in the first half. Second leading scorer, Ethan Maske, kept driving to the basket and kept Jacksonville in the game during the first half.
Maske finished with 11 first half points and 15 for the game.
Early in the game it looked as if Anniston, might blow out the Eagles. The Bulldogs went up 16-8 before Jacksonville hit the last shot of the first quarter to cut the Bulldogs lead to six.
A 3-point shot by Quinn quickly had the Eagles back in the game at 16-13. Maske had a nine-point second quarter to include a 3-pointer as time expired to bring the Eagles to within a basket at 25-23.
Garmon’s jumper made it 25-25 and the Eagles took their first lead since the initial basket another shot by Garmon.
But Anniston came roaring back. A 3-pointer by Waynarous Snodgrass followed by two foul shots put Anniston back on top. In the space of just two-and-a-half minutes the Bulldogs jumped out to a nine point lead before Garmon hit on a shot with just 27 seconds remaining in the third quarter.
Anniston’s biggest lead of the game was at 11 early in the fourth quarter.
Maske, who was held to only four points in the second half, started the charge with a 3-pointer. Garmon took over and scored 18 of his game high 20 points in the second half, 10 of those coming in the fourth.
With 2:43 remaining, Garmon hit a jumper to tie up the game at 44. A minute later Garmon gave his team the lead on another shot. The Bulldogs finally scored on two foul shots by Darius Taylor, their first two points in almost four minutes.
Jacksonville’s Deonte Elston scored to give the Eagles a two point edge, but down court the Eagles fouled and Michael Rush, named MVP of the tournament, put in both shots to tie up the game.
Garmon once again hit from inside the lane and was fouled with 57 seconds left, but missed the foul shot. Anniston drove the baseline and Rush put in a layup to tie the game for the sixth time. On the Eagles end of the court, Anniston came up with a block and was fouled. Quintari Hutchinson sank both shots that proved to be the winning margin.
Jacksonville’s trip to the Regional Championship game wouldn’t have been possible without some heroics in the semi-final game against Oneonta. The Eagles pulled out a 48-46 victory.
Jacksonville’s hero was junior Jordan Shelvin, who scored 19 points after averaging just over four points per game during the regular season.
Oneonta took a 13-11 lead after the first quarter and led 22-15 at halftime. The Redskins led 34-28 heading into the final eight minutes.
Down by 10 with 4:31 left in the game, Garmon came alive. Two quick baskets by Garmon, who also finished the game with 19 points, and a basket by Maske and the Eagles were back in the game at 40-36.
A 3-pointer by Shelvin, his fourth of the game, brought the Eagles to within one point at 42-41. With 1:10 left to play Garmon finally gave his team the lead.
The lead was short lived as two foul shots by Keenan Warren put Oneonta ahead.
With five seconds remaining on the clock, the ball went to Shelvin, who attempted a 3-pointer. He missed, but was fouled. Shelvin went to the line and confidently sank all three shots to give the Eagles the win.
Both Maske and Garmon were named to the All-Tournament team.
I have enjoyed your coverage of the boys basketball. Your articles are always so enjoyable and I also love your pictures. Thank you for capturing these special times for our high school students. You hard work and time is greatly appreciated by all.
Thank you