Jackson hoops teams are impressive in round one

By Mike White
Staff Writer

Both the Jackson High School boys’ and girls’ basketball teams remain alive in the quest for a state title.

Both teams knocked off squads from Cherokee High School Monday night to advance into the second round of the NJSIAA South Jersey Group IV playoffs.

The boys got 25 points from junior lead guard Ryan Mogila to post a 64-55 victory. The girls were led by senior Jenn Murray, who scored 19 points, as the Lady Jags hammered their opponent by a score of 55-40.

The boys played at Egg Harbor Township last night in the quarterfinals.

"One of our goals at the start of the season was to play well enough to qualify for the state tournament," first-year boys’ coach Mike Antenucci said. "We need to keep playing consistent basketball at both ends of the floor in order to keep winning. The kids have been working hard all season."

Jackson got another big effort from junior center Kenny Simms, who finished the game with nine points, 11 rebounds and nine blocked shots. Simms wreaked havoc with Cherokee shooters, who were forced to alter shots from inside the paint.

"The way he plays can have a huge outcome on whether we win or lose," Antenucci said. "He has the ability to do so many things for us. If he stays focused and plays with intensity, his potential is unlimited."

Mogila put forth his best offensive output of the year by netting 25 points. The point guard connected on two 3-pointers and drained 12 of 19 free throws. He scored eight points in the fourth quarter to nail down the victory as Jackson improved to 18-7 overall.

Guard Tony Boone contributed 13 points, while Jeff Warner chipped in with nine, including a pair of treys.

"He (Boone) gives us a different look out there," Antenucci said. "He can make a lot of different things happen when the ball gets in his hands."

The Jags started quickly by jumping to a 17-9 first-quarter cushion. But Cherokee responded in the second frame by outscoring Jackson 16-6 to take a 25-23 half-time lead. The Jags put forth a 28-point fourth quarter to seal the win.

The Lady Jags used an inside outside attack to pull off the upset. Murray and senior Danielle Gressey combined for 32 points to lead Jackson. Murray made five 3-pointers en route to her game-high 19 points and Gressey used her inside strength to net 13 points.

With the victory, the Lady Jags improved to 14-7 overall. Jackson put the game away by using an 18-5 run in the third quarter to build a 39-21 lead with just eight minutes remaining. Freshman center Danielle Mickiewicz scored nine points, while teammate Katie Batiuk had seven.