Coast-South Conference Champions win their final game of the season.
By Malaya Street
The San José City College Jags already secured their Coast-South Conference Champions title going into the Hartnell Panthers game, but despite being 6th in conference the Panthers gave the Jags a challenge.
Mison Coilton had 21 points, four rebounds, five assists, and three steals, Jacob Harper scored 15 points with five 3's, four rebounds, and two assists, and the No. 2 Jags (24-4, 11-1 Coast-South) beat Panthers (4-24, 2-10) in a tight game 89-87.
Jerry Jackson had a perfect night going 5 for 5 on field goals and 3 for 3 on the line totaling 13 points to end the night and extended the Jags' winning streak to eight games.
While the Jags were in the lead in the entire first half, the Panthers came close on multiple occasions, and by the end of the first half, the Jags were holding onto a six point lead of 52-46.
The Jags came out strong with an 8-0 run to start the second half, then the Panthers responded with a 12-2 run to trail 64-60 with 13:51 minutes remaining. The Panthers gained momentum after they stole the ball from the Jags which led to an easy basket to cut the Jags' lead by one point. The Jags fouled the Panthers, and after making both free throws, the Panthers were up 79-78 with 5:34 on the clock.
Harper's clutch three pointer gave the Jags a four point lead with under two minutes remaining. On the next play, however, the Jags were called for goaltending and the Panthers automatically gained two points. The Jags had an opportunity to make it into a two possession game with 30 seconds left on the clock but missed their shot. In the final possession of the game, the Panthers had a look at a three pointer to win the game, but thankfully for the Jags, they missed.
AB Gilchrist scored 10 points with four rebounds, seven assists, and three steals. Jurrien Sparks added 10 points with six rebounds, one assist, and one block. Jordan Gill contributed 9 points with nine rebounds, one assist, and two blocks.
This season the Jags played 27 games, averaging 78.7 points, 44.1% on field goals, 32.9% on three-pointers, 39.2 rebounds, and 18.5 assists per game.
In the Coast-South Conference, Jerry Jackson is third for averaging 55.1% on field goals. Jacob Harper is 5th for 3-point percentages at 40.8%.
The Jags are first in Coast-South Conference and No. 2 in NorCal, receiving a first-round playoff bye. They take on Fresno Citty College at Percy Carr Gym on Feb. 25, at 7PM in second-round competition.