Jackson’s Micah Caster (2) floats down the lane for a shot against DAR in the Class 4A state semifinals Tuesday night at Legacy Arena in Birmingham. Caster scored 22 points to lead the Aggies’ 71-61 victory. (Helen Joyce/Call News)
Jackson’s Landon Duckworth slams home a basket against DAR during the fourth period Tuesday night. Duckworth, the sophomore South Carolina quarterback commitment, scored all 12 of his points in the last quarter as the Aggies pulled away for a 71-61 win in the Class 4A state semifinals at Legacy Arena in Birmingham. (Helen Joyce/Call News)
Jackson coach Anthony Hayes has directed the Aggies to 19 straight wins and the school’s first berth in the state championship game. (Helen Joyce/Call News)
By JIMMY WIGFIELD
BIRMINGHAM — DAR beat the last three Class 4A state champions to reach the state tournament. On Tuesday night, the Patriots might have lost to the next team to hoist the Blue Map.
After 13 lead changes and seven ties, No. 1-ranked Jackson finally hammered in a decisive wedge with an 11-0 run going into the fourth period and went on to beat DAR 71-61 in the state tournament semifinals at Legacy Arena.
“A lot of people didn’t think we’d be here but these guys bought in from day one,” Aggies coach Anthony Hayes said.
The unranked Patriots (25-10) had defeated 2022 and 2023 state champion Jacksonville and 2021 state champion Anniston to reach the state’s final four and made Jackson uncomfortable for three periods with their changing defenses.
But Joseph Taylor, one of three sophomore starters, made a 3-pointer to give the Aggies the lead for good at 39-37 late in the third period and from that juncture on Jackson scored every one of its last 32 points inside on dunks, lay-ins, jumpers in the lane and free throws on the way to its 19th straight victory. The Aggies made 22 of 28 free throws, with senior guard Micah Caster making 9 of 10.
“Our game plan coming in was to hit them inside,” Hayes said. “We felt like we had an advantage there. They did a good job doubling down in the post early and we made some adjustments.”
Jackson (29-2) has two more nights and two practices back home to contemplate winning its first state basketball championship. The Aggies play No. 6-ranked American Christian (27-7) in the finals Friday at 5:45 p.m.
“We don’t worry about the crowd or the gym,” said Caster, who scored 22 points after being held under 10 for the first time this season in the South Regional finals. “The only thing that changes is the location. We’re here to win state. What is history if you can’t break it?”
DAR changed its defenses like a chameleon — from man-to-man, 2-3 zone, 2-1-2 zone and matchup zone — throwing out screws, razor blades and nails, anything to slow the Aggies down.
It worked for three periods.
“We knew who they were and how they like to play,” Hayes said. “That’s a good ballclub we just played. They mixed things up on us a lot. But we got settled down.”
Patriots coach Justin Jonus said his team did everything it could to get the game where he wanted it.
“It’s hard to talk about right now,” he said. “We fought so hard tonight. There in the fourth quarter, it came down to missing a few easy shots and they got a few runouts. They also made 22 of 28 free throws. That’s hard to overcome.”
Hayes felt his defense was the difference as Jackson held DAR to 37% shooting.
“Our identity is playing defense,” Hayes said. “Once we lock in and play defense, we can play with anybody in the state.”
It was still only the third time the Aggies allowed 60-plus points this season.
“The free throws were the difference,” Jonus said. “We controlled what we could control. We took 60 shots and they took 47. I didn’t walk in that dressing room disappointed in anything we did.”
Landon Duckworth, a second sophomore starter who has committed to play quarterback at South Carolina, scored all 12 of his points in the fourth period. Taylor added 16 points and senior Nasir Powell grabbed 10 rebounds for Jackson.
The Aggies’ last loss was to Class 7A regional finalist Auburn 52-49 on Dec. 30. Their only other loss was to 6A Blount 60-59 on Dec. 5.
That means they’re undefeated so far in 2024 and now they need one more win for history. After spending the night in Birmingham, they returned home Wednesday to prepare for the most monumental basketball game in school history.
“We’re going to go back for a couple of practices, then come back Friday and try to win a state championship,” Hayes said. “Practice is going to be intense. We’re not going to change anything. Each man needs to make the next man better.”
