After watching Jackson’s 63-50 win over Monroe Wednesday night, I don’t see anyone beating Jackson in this tournament. The Timberwolves absolutely had their way with Monroe offensively and didn’t even seem to exert themselves.
Jason Todd scored 24 points, but didn’t have to work that hard to get it. His teammates got it to him in great position and he finished. He plays like a senior and it’s hard to believe that he has two more years at Jackson after this season. Todd even acts like a senior with the media. He very much toes the company line as far as that goes. He’s never at a loss for words, but is quick to spit cliché after cliché about “scoring’s fun but as long as we get the win that’s all that matters” “we take everyone seriously” “one game at a time.”
They didn’t have to, but the complementary players were ready to score if needed. Dan Kingma, who also is a sophomore, is fearless like his brother before him. Sam Brown is the best player on the football team and probably the baseball team this year, but is perfectly content to fade into the background unless someone leaves him open for a 3, which he will happily bury. Andrew Dodd came off the bench sporting a freshly cut fauxhawk tonight and he looked and acted like an enforcer, picking up four fouls and throwing his body around. Dodd tweaked his ankle and was icing it after the game but coach Steve Johnson didn’t seem to think it would be an issue against Stanwood Saturday.
With the T-wolves hosting the remaining games, I think you can mark them down as District champs.
Johnson was happy to avoid the loser’s bracket after his team worked hard to earn the South’s No. 1 seed. “I’m no math whiz, but it certainly is a lot less games you have to win (to advance),” he said.
It’s actually two less games if you count the state regional play –in game against the No.3 team from Kingco
“We took care of business and got that one step into the winners bracket and that makes it easier, but it won’t be any easier Saturday.”
Should be quite a double header Saturday at Jackson with Snohomish and Lake Stevens playing at 6 p.m. followed by Stanwood and Jackson at 8 p.m. The winners both advance to the state regional and get a week off before they face each other in the championship.
It was not a pretty night for Monroe, which trailed by as much as 24 late in the third quarter. It would have been very different if the shots were falling for the Bearcats, who ended up shooting 30 percent, but I don’t think enough to change the outcome.
I hadn’t seen Monroe before this season, but I left the game impressed with Terrance Day’s offensive game. Entering the game the 5-foot-8 senior was second on the team with 12.0 points per game and he calmly scored 16 points Wednesday night. The rest of the team looked like they were pressing, while Day was just being patient and attacking when there were openings.
Unfortunately, I didn’t get to talk to anyone from the Monroe locker room after the game as they sneaked out the back way, of the Jackson gym. Would have liked to hear how they are taking relegation to the losers bracket. Monroe will have to go to Kamiak and win three-consecutive loser-out contests followed by another against a Kingco opponent to make it to state. Even if they get their shooting on track, I don’t think it’s in the cards for the Bearcats this year. Too many solid team s in Wesco.
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