Jackson’s 27 lead BVNW past Mill Valley, 82-52
The boys varsity basketball team defeated Mill Valley 82-52 in their second meeting of the season. Senior guard Darien Jackson scored a game-high 27 points on the night.
February 14, 2017
After junior forward Parker Braun won the tip-off, the Huskies came down to the offensive end, working the ball around the zone before the ball ended up in junior guard Sam Ward’s hands. Ward rose up and swished in his first three of the night, giving BVNW an early 3-0 lead. The Huskies opened with a 9-0 run in the first 2:10 of action, and never trailed for the entirety of the night.
The Jaguars did not go away without a fight, as Mill Valley made a run of their own, cutting the Huskies lead to 15-12 with 1:30 remaining in the first quarter. BVNW’s inability to defend without fouling kept MVHS in the game in the first half.
“The thing that wasn’t working was our defense,” BVNW head coach Ed Fritz said. “We gave up too many drives to the basket, too many back cuts, and we tried to clean that up and I think we did a little bit in the second half.”
With Mill Valley playing in a zone defensively for much of the night, BVNW countered shooting lights out from beyond the three point line, making 12 threes on the night. Ward, who hit four threes, said despite shooting so well from the outside, getting the ball inside was what gave them open opportunities from beyond the arc.
“When you get the ball inside, the whole zone collapses,” Ward said. “That’s when our big men can kick it out [for threes].”
Senior guard Darien Jackson had yet another offensive outburst, totaling 27 points on the night. Jackson was able to cut the Jaguars defense up, hitting from outside with five threes, and inside with three dunks.
“[I was] just moving the ball and getting the open shot,” Jackson, who has averaged 25.3 points per game over the last three games said.
Ward said what makes Jackson so special is his ability to be versatile.
“Darien is a great player,” Ward said. “He can shoot it. He can drive. He can distribute the ball very well. He did a good job tonight.”
Blue Valley Northwest moves to 15-3 with the win. The Huskies host their senior night against the Tigers of Blue Valley, Friday Feb. 17. Fritz said it remains important for the Huskies to stay focused past this four game winning streak.
“We have a huge game Friday, so we’re going to have to get locked in,” Fritz said.
