Jackson scored 13 points in a decisive 19-9 third quarter run for the Purple Hurricanes as they pulled away from the Warriors for a 52-38 win that also clinched a playoff spot in the Class AAA state tournament. Jackson finished with 21 points, six rebounds, three assists, and three steals despite the slow start.
It's the first state playoff appearance for Monroe Area since 2003. Hurricanes coach Ron Garren said they've been working to get to this point the last couple of seasons. They will take on top seed West Hall in the semifinals on Friday at Chestatee. The Hurricanes were 0-2 against the Class AAA third-ranked Spartans this season.
"It feels great to finally make it. The kids have worked hard and I'm happy for them," Garren said. "We just talked at halftime about continuing to do what we do best and Ken just came out strong and carried us. West Hall is an outstanding team and it will be a contrast in styles. We didn't have (Stephon) Tuitt in either game so hopefully things will be different (Friday)."
The Hurricanes led just 19-13 at halftime as the Warriors managed to keep the game close behind Ashley Lowery, who had six points in the first half. But the third quarter Hurricanes run gave them a cushion heading into the fourth quarter and White County never recovered.
Despite holding a higher seeding coming into the game, White County coach Mark Carroll knew it would be a challenge. Monroe Area was ranked in the top 10 for most of the season until losing 6-of-9 games while battling injuries to several key players late in the season. The Hurricanes were at full strength Thursday night
"They really threw it on us in the second half," Carroll said. "We didn't shoot the ball very well but that had a lot to do with Tuitt. We knew it would be a big challenge for us. But we felt we could beat them if we could get the lead and stay in our zone defense. Unfortunately, we never got the lead."
Monroe Area built leads as big as 17 in the second half. White County managed to get within 45-34 midway through the fourth quarter. But the Hurricanes would hit 7-of-10 free throws in the final two minutes to keep the Warriors at bay.
Tuitt, a 6-foot-8 Notre Dame football-signee, is known more for his defense and rebounding. He finished with eight points, seven rebounds, two blocks, and he altered more than half-a-dozen other White County shots.
Monroe opened the game with a 5-0 run and held White County scoreless for the first six minutes. But the Warriors would pull within 8-6 by the end of the first quarter on a pair of 3-pointers from Eddie Hurst and Andrew London.
The Purple Hurricanes, however, would use a 7-2 run to begin the second quarter to push their lead to 15-8. White County again would respond climbing to within 15-12 on a basket by Ashley Lowery. But the Hurricanes would close out the first half on a 4-1 run for a 19-13 halftime lead.
Lowery and Eddie Hurst each finished with 10 points to pace White County, who finished the year at 16-10 after a 5-5 start.
White County's Cole Segraves, right, looks for a way past Monroe Area's Stephon Tuitt on Thursday night in Oakwood.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2011/2/236272