Jags vs Rams

Jacob Harper sinks game-winning 3 to advance the Jags to the next round of regionals.  

The score was tied 76-76 with 25 seconds remaining after a back-and-forth game between the San José City Jags and the Fresno City College Rams. With their final possession of the game, the ball ended up in Jacob Harper's hands as he stood well outside the three-point line.   

With no hesitation, he buried the shot, and the crowd erupted. The game was not over yet, and with 3 seconds left on the clock, the Rams still had one last chance to tie the game. They inbounded the ball to their hot hand, who had previously made three 3's in a row, and from half-court, he threw up the shot, hitting the backboard and barely missing the rim.    

The crowd rushed onto the court and carried Harper on their shoulders as the Jags celebrated their win 79-76. Devastated, the Rams collapsed on the ground as this marked the end of their postseason.    

Jerry Jackson dominated this game with 25 points, including three 3's and a dunk. Jackson went 8 for 12 on the line and had three rebounds. He also had five assists, one rebound, and one steal. Gavin Wilburn added 13 points with one 3-pointer and two dunks.    

Mison Coilton had an off-scoring night with only 9 points but still found ways to contribute with eight rebounds, eight assists, and four steals.    

The Rams came into this game with momentum from their first-round win against Foothill College just a few days prior. On the other hand, as the Coast-South Conference Champions, the Jags had an automatic bid to the second round of regionals, making this their first postseason game.  

From the start, the Jags and the Rams battled with different lead changes, but the Jags ended the first half in the lead 39-36. They had their biggest lead, 48-40, early in the second half, but two offensive fouls called against the Jags took their momentum.  

The Jags fought hard and maintained a slight lead until the Rams made three 3's in a row to take the lead 67-69 with 3:49 on the clock. With the free throws, the Rams tied the game 50-50 with 12 minutes remaining.     

The Jags tied the game 73-73 after Wilburn made his second free throw attempt with 1:38 remaining. While the players fought for the potential rebound on this shot, the Rams fouled Jackson and put the Jags back on the line.   

Jackson split the free throws, and after a missed shot by the Rams, Coilton made a layup for the Jags to lead by 76-73. The Rams responded strongly with a 3-pointer to tie, but Harper closed out the game with his first and only 3-pointer.     

Harper scored 9 points with one 3-pointer, four rebounds, and one assist. AB Gilchrist added 8 points with two rebounds and three assists. Jordan Gill contributed 6 points with two 3's, five rebounds, two assists, and one steal.     

This win earned the Jags a #3 spot in the final state ranking, with only sixteen teams remaining in the postseason. On March 4th, the Jags will play the third round of CCCAA NorCal Regional Playoffs at home against Chabot College at 7:00 pm. Watch the game live on YouTube at NorCal SportsTV and follow the Jags on social media @sjcc_mbb.