Jackson won’t let Christian Brothers slip
Chandler Jackson stood with the ball cupped in his arms around mid-court, right by the scorers table at the Mcneill Family Fieldhouse on Saturday as the final seconds ticked away.
After he passed to his teammate, he looked toward the Christian Brothers' fans that packed the facility, fist-pumping and raising his arms to hype them up.
It was one of the few times Jackson showed raw emotion after a game this season.
Why now?
Because the 63-54 win over Baylor sent the Purple Wave (26-0) to the Division II-AA state semifinals for the third straight season.
The semifinals are scheduled for Thursday at Tennessee Tech in Cookeville.
"We're right there,” Jackson said. “We're two games away from what we want. It's an amazing feeling.”
All season, Jackson and his teammates have talked about getting back to the state semifinals. All season, it seemed like a foregone conclusion, Christian Brothers would be one of the four teams playing for state championship.
But why this season? Why were Jackson and his teammates adamant about returning to the state semifinals?
Well for one, because they had unfinished business.
On a less obvious note, because the bond this senior class has built is the driving force why the Purple Wave completed back-to-back undefeated records entering the state tournament.
"We've known each other for a really long time, since like middle school,” senior guard Zion Owens said.
The Purple Wave seemed to have it all figured out with their star guard. But Jackson alone isn't the difference. Hunter Pratt dominates the inside and isn't shy about “taking one for the team.” Saturday, he took three charges and was only called for a blocking foul once.
Then there's Owens, whom Jackson described as the lockdown defender.
But his impact on Saturday wasn't just on defense, he made quite a few layups on drives and hit his free throws. Add Nehemiah Ausley, who is as important a facilitator as is scorer for Christian Brothers.
When teams have attempted to take Jackson out the game, Ausley has stepped up to get big shots for Christian Brothers.
That was the case on Saturday when he hit a floater before the end of the third quarter and when Jackson hit him during a fourth-quarter run just inside the free throw line.
And when the Purple Wave need a defender on the inside, while Pratt handles one side, Ashton Strother handles the other. Everybody knows their role. That's what makes this team different than last season.
"Everybody steps up when needed,” Jackson said.
And you can see the bond the five seniors share.
Both Owens and Jackson smiled describing what this season has meant playing with them. They've all been playing together since they were freshman and dreaming of raising that golden ball. Now they're as close as ever to doing just that.
With each win, Jackson has reminded his teammates the job isn't finished yet.
“Of course I'm happy,” Jackson said. “But last year we went to the final four and lost. Until we get to the championship game, I'm not really that satisfied.”
When Thursday rolls around, the Purple Wave will have one final game to win to move past last season. The semifinal game has given Christian Brothers the most trouble in the past two years. But Jackson and Owens aren't worried about losing.
“Whatever I need to do, I will do it,” Jackson said.
Reach Wynston Wilcox at wwilcox@gannett.com and on Twitter @wynstonw__.