JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Jackson boys basketball team is in the state semifinals for the sixth time in seven seasons. Here’s a look at its final four showdown against the Villages Charter.
Class 3A boys basketball state semifinals
Jackson (28-2) vs. Villages Charter (25-5)
When: Friday, 3 p.m.
Where: RP Funding Center, Lakeland.
Watch it: Game can be streamed on the NFHS Network. Cost applies for a monthly pass.
Winner gets: Cardinal Gibbons or Calvary Christian in the state championship game on Saturday at 7 p.m.
Road here: Jackson d. Walton, 74-30; d. Marianna, 79-55; d. Florida High, 61-52; Villages d. Astronaut, 75-23; d. Discovery, 80-47; d. Tampa Catholic, 83-79.
Glance: A rematch of last season’s state semi, won in a 47-43 slugfest by the Tigers. Jackson lost to St. Petersburg Gibbs (49-43) in the state championship game. This year’s team is a bit different. James Collins stepped down in the offseason and Jackson turned to Ponte Vedra assistant Byron Shemwell to lead the team. The Tigers have been excellent this year in Shemwell’s system and haven’t missed a beat. Their two losses are by a combined seven points (Fleming Island, Ribault). Shemwell’s system may differ from Collins’, but the results have not. Jackson has been excellent at the top of the lineup (Jahari Simmons leads at 16 ppg, David Wilson is next at 12.9) and super balanced elsewhere. Five other players average between 6.1 and 7.5 ppg, with Jayden Williams, Tay’vion Lawson, Terrell Mosely, Corenzes Dennard and Taishawn Thomas each capable of a double-figures scoring game. This Jackson’s sixth trip to the state semis in seven seasons. Its five state championships are tied with now-defunct Arlington Country Day for most in area history.