Jags rout Chiefs in sectional
State tournament is next stop
Early in the third quarter Monday, the crowd at Southwind High held its breath in anticipation as Jajuan Johnson found himself alone with the ball at midcourt.
What would the Jaguars reigning dunk-master do? A 360? Pass off the backboard?
Johnson opted instead to go through the legs — but clanged the ball off the front rim.
“He makes that shot in practice,” laughed Southwind coach Paul Edwards.
Edwards could afford a smile; that miss by Johnson was the only thing that went wrong for his team against Craigmont. The Jaguars dominated from the opening tap and earned their first state tournament bid, dismantling the Chiefs, 95-36.
The Jaguars will take a 30- 6 record into next week’s state tournament in Murfreesboro.
“It’s an honor,” said Edwards, whose program has been criticized by some for never reaching the Big Dance, despite its considerable talent through the years.
“We just want to go to Murfreesboro and represent Memphis well.”
If they play like they did Monday, that won’t be a problem.
The Jaguars scored the first 14 points of the game and were ahead 26-1 before Lawrence Mosley scored inside to give the Chiefs their first basket. By the time the time the dust settled at the end of the quarter, Southwind led 37-11.
“We watched a lot of film on Craigmont and we knew we had to play hard on offense and defense,” said Southwind’s Johnathan Williams, who had 16 points and 14 rebounds in his final home game.
“Our mindset was seek and destroy.”
Johnson, who will play at Marquette next season, led the way. He scored 26 points in just 19 minutes of play and had six of the Jaguars 18 steals.
He had two dunks and a 3-pointer as Southwind opened the third quarter on a 13-0 run that made the score 68-23, prompting Edwards to send his regulars to the bench.
“We played well,” said Edwards. “They were quiet all day (Monday). They were so quiet I was a little concerned but they came out extremely focused.”
Mieron Hardy had 13 points for Southwind and Southwind guard Jajuan Johnson shoots while defended by Craigmont’s Lawrence Mosley (left) and Richard Mazique.
Deckie Johnson added 11. The Jagaurs forced 21 turnovers while holding Craigmont to just 27.5 percent shooting for the game.
“We’re going to enjoy this tonight and then get together and plan things,” said Edwards. “I’m going to call some of my mentors for some advice on how to handle (the state tournament).”
Jaylen Fitzgerald had nine points to lead Craigmont (17-13). The Chiefs won it all in 2011, but end this season year with backto-back lopsided losses after falling to Dyer Country in the Region 7-AAA title game last week.