Zehr hits 3 at buzzer to lead Jackson to MaxPreps championship game

RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. — The end of Jackson’s MaxPreps Holiday Classic semifinal went just like the Timberwolves drew it up.

With his Jackson team down by two points and time running out, Brian Zehr received a pass from Marcus Blake and launched a 3-point attempt off as time expired. The buzzer rang, the shot went in and the Jackson celebration began as the Timberwolves finalized a 53-52 come-from-behind win in overtime against Long Beach Poly in the semifinals of the MaxPreps Holiday Classic.

“We joke that we ran it just like we drew it up. We didn’t draw anything up,” said Jackson head coach Steve Johnson. “… The guys are really excited, as well they should be. Just a great effort. I’m just really proud of how hard they played. It’s a great win over a perennial (contender and) well-known program. I don’t even know what to say. I’m somewhat speechless.”

Jackson will play Capital Christian (Sacramento, Calif.) in the championship game Monday at 8:40 p.m. in the MaxPreps tournament, which features some of the top teams in the country.

The overtime period was a back-and-forth battle with Long Beach Poly taking the lead and stealing the ball back with less than 20 seconds. Down 52-50, Jackson fouled and a Jackrabbit player missed the first of a one-and-one free throw attempt.

Click here to listen to Jackson’s Brian Zehr talk with MaxPreps about the big shot.

The Timberwolves hustled the ball down the floor and found Zehr in the corner who turned toward the basket and got up the game-winning shot that sent Jackson to the championship game.

“When he missed the free throw I thought about calling a timeout but I didn’t,” Johnson said. “I went with letting them go. There are different schools of thought on that. Some call a timeout. I chose to go forward in the open floor. Brian certainly wasn’t the first guy that we thought would be shooting the three. The best thing he did was realize, ‘I’ve got the ball. I’ve got to make a play.’ And he did.”

Zehr finished with eight points but none were bigger than his final basket as time expired. It capped a big comeback by the Timberwolves, who saw themselves trail by as many as 12 points. Jackson limited Long Beach Poly to six points in the fourth quarter and outscored the Jackrabbits 24-17 in the second half to tie the game at 46 and force overtime.

“I’m just glad, down 12 and not playing well, it looked like (Long Beach Poly) might take control of the game and run away with it,” Johnson said. “We showed a lot of character and toughness and that’s what I’m most proud of.”

Johnson said that after the game his message to his team was just how proud he was of them for rallying back from a double-digit deficit and not giving up against a strong, athletic Long Beach Poly team.

“We just talked about how proud I was of what they did and how hard they played,” Johnson said. “How courageous they were.”

Jason Todd led the Timberwolves with 22 points and Dan Kingma added 12 for Jackson (5-0 overall). Timberwolves’ sophomore Sam Saufferer also made a pair of baskets — including a 3-pointer in a 7-0 third-quarter run — to help Jackson cut the deficit.

Now, Jackson hopes to be the first non-California team to win the title in the tournament’s 11-year history when it faces Capital Christian on Monday in the championship game.

“The guys are excited. We’re proud to represent our state and our area and our league,” Johnson said. “I’m very proud. We want to get it done. We’ve got one more to go. Capital Christian’s a good team. That’s going to be a huge challenge. It’s great. We came down here to hopefully have success. We came down here to play and beat good teams.”

Chris Sullivan and Ke’jhan Feagin had 15 points apiece for Long Beach Poly (8-4), which will face Westchester, last year’s tournament champion, in the third-place game on Monday.

At Rancho Mirage H.S.

Jackson 12 10 14 10 7 — 53

Long Beach Poly 13 16 11 6 6 — 52

Jackson—Dan Kingma 12, Jason Todd 22, Brian Zehr 8, Marcus Blake 0, Connor Willgress 4, Sam Saufferer 7, Blake Ozuna 0, Riley Waite 0. Long Beach Poly—Jordan Dallas 2, Chris Sullivan 15, Kameron Murrell 13, Ke’jhan Feagin 15, Jeff Calhoun 1, Drew Buggs 2, Devon Edmonds 1. 3-point goals—Todd, Kingma, Feagin, Murrell 2, Sullivan, Zehr. Records—Jackson 5-0 overall. Long Beach Poly 8-4.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Everett’s Alana Washington poses for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 Girls Basketball Player of the Year: Alana Washington

The Everett senior upped her game in the postseason to help the Seagulls overcome injuries and claim their first state trophy in 41 years.

Left to right, Arlington’s Samara Morrow, Kamiak’s Bella Hasan, Everett’s Alana Washington, Lake Steven’s Nisa Ellis, Lynnwood’s Aniya Hooker, and Meadowdale’s Gia Powell, pose for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 All-Area girls basketball teams

A look at the top prep girls basketball players in the area from the 2023-24 season.

Silvertips players celebrate during a game between the Everett Silvertips and Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024. The Silvertips won, 5-3. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Silvertips land No. 1 pick, chance to draft generational talent

Landon DuPont is the consensus top pick in next WHL prospects draft. Everett chief operating officer Zoran Rajcic said the team intends to select him.

Dennis Williams, head coach and GM of the Everett Silvertips, shakes hands with an assistant coach at the end of a season opening victory over the Vancouver Giants on Saturday, Sep. 24, 2022, at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Coach, GM Williams leaving Silvertips for Bowling Green State

After seven successful season leading Everett, Dennis Williams is heading back to his alma mater. He’ll stay with the Tips through the WHL playoffs.

University of Washington's new men's basketball coach Danny Sprinkle meets the news media, Wednesday, March 27, 2024 in Seattle. (Ken Lambert/The Seattle Times via AP)
Taking over at Washington personal for men’s basketball coach Sprinkle

Danny Sprinkle spoke about his connection to the school during his introductory press conference Wednesday.

Mountlake Terrace’s Jaxon Dubiel talks with head coach Nalin Sood during the 3A boys state basketball game against Todd Beamer on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024 in Tacoma, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘It was just time’: Mountlake Terrace basketball coach Sood steps down

Nalin Sood guided his alma mater to 381 wins and 15 state berths in 24 seasons as head coach. He spent over four decades with the program.

Stanwood High School student athletes during their signing day ceremony. (Courtesy of Stanwood High School)
Local class of 2024 athletes who have signed to play in college

A running list of 2024 high school athletes who are set to compete at the next level.

X
Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26

Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Silvertips’ Kaden Hammell (47) enters the rink during a game between the Everett Silvertips and the Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Patterson: Overachieving Silvertips had season worth celebrating

In a season when some thought the team’s playoff streak could end, Everett put together one of its greatest campaigns.

Washington State athletic director Pat Chun, center, watches players on the first day of NCAA college football practice, Friday, Aug. 6, 2021, in Pullman, Wash. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Washington hires AD Chun away from rival Washington State

UW quickly targeted its in-state rival’s athletic director after Troy Dannen’s sudden departure.

Seattle Mariners' Mitch Haniger hits a single against the San Diego Padres during the fourth inning of a spring training baseball game Monday, March 11, 2024, in Peoria, Ariz. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Why the Mariners could win the AL West, and what could hold them back

Starting pitching, a renovated offense and regression in the AL West are in Seattle’s favor, but injury issues, bullpen concerns and the Houston Astros could be a problem.

X
Vote for The Herald’s Prep Athlete of the Week for March 18-24

The Athlete of the Week nominees for March 18-24. Voting closes at… Continue reading

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.