Jackson Academy’s boys and girls basketball programs have both punched their tickets to the MAIS Overall Basketball Tournament, with the boys claiming the 4A Division II State Title and the girls advancing to the 4A Division II championship game. Both teams will now compete against the top programs of every classification from across the MAIS at Mississippi College in Clinton for the overall championship title.
The Lady Raiders battled their way to the MAIS 4A Division II State Title game with a hard-fought 44-36 victory over Jackson Prep in the semifinals. JA held an 18-15 lead at halftime and never looked back, with junior Aubrey Chambers delivering a dominant performance of 22 points and 11 rebounds to lead the Lady Raiders to victory. The win over Prep was a statement game for the Lady Raiders, showcasing their ability to compete and close out a tough opponent when it mattered most. In the championship game, the Lady Raiders faced a strong MRA squad and fell 54-32. Chambers again led the team in scoring with 13 points, and Mylee Maurer paced the team with six rebounds. Despite the loss, the Lady Raiders finished the season with a 19-12 record and have earned their place in the MAIS Overall Basketball Tournament.
The Raider boys put together a dramatic performance in the MAIS 4A Division II State Title. After defeating Oak Forest to advance to the championship game, the Raiders found themselves trailing Hartfield Academy 37-27 at halftime. Refusing to give in, Jackson Academy mounted an impressive second-half comeback, outscoring the Hawks 28-14 to claim the title with a 55-51 victory. Austin Richards was the catalyst for the comeback, finishing with 17 points and 13 rebounds in a dominant performance that helped lead the Raiders to the championship.
Both teams now turn their attention to the MAIS Overall Basketball Tournament at Mississippi College in Clinton, where division champions from across the state compete for the overall title. The Lady Raiders open tournament play against Kirk Academy on Wednesday, February 18 at 7:15 p.m., while the boys face Humphreys Academy on Thursday, February 19 at 10:00 a.m. Each team will need to win four games to be crowned MAIS Overall Basketball Champions. With the momentum of their division tournament runs behind them, both programs enter the Overall Tournament with confidence and championship experience.
