Spain Park overwhelms Grissom in Regional Semis
Spain Park jumped out to a huge lead and won easily against Grissom, 89-61, on Thursday afternoon in the Class 7A Northeast Regional Semifinals in Pete Mathews Coliseum at Jacksonville State University.
“We’re really pleased to get through that game. It’s always the toughest one to get through. I thought the guys played well,” Spain Park head coach Donnie Quinn said.
The Jags trailed 4-2 at the start, and that would be their only deficit of the contest. Nine straight points gave them a six-point edge, and Spain Park led 23-12 after a quarter of play. Jamal Johnson had ten points in the opening period.
“We make sure we try to get it to our big guy inside first, so he gets easy buckets,” Johnson said of the quick start. “It opens it up for everyone on the perimeter, so we are able to get open shots on the perimeter.”
Spain Park blew the game open in the second quarter, as center Austin Wiley took over the game. He scored six consecutive points for the Jags, as Grissom had no answer for him on the block. He finished the half with 15 points, and finished with 29 total in the game on 13-of-16 shooting, along with nine rebounds and a pair of blocks.
“I just ran the floor and sealed my man deep every time, called for the ball, and my teammates got it to me every time,” Wiley said.
Johnson had a double-double by halftime, with 12 points and ten rebounds. At the end of the contest, he had 24 points and 12 boards, with a trifecta of pairs; two assists, two blocks, and two steals.
Justin Brown was the other Spain Park player in double figures, as he scored 12 points and pulled down seven rebounds. Jameson Floyd opened the game with a jumper for the Jags, and had five points.
Parker Boswell scored six in the game and had two assists to wrap up the starters’ performances. The Jags are trying to hone in and focus as the season nears its end.
“We had a player meeting three or four games ago, trying to make sure everybody is on the right page,” Johnson said.
Spain Park had the opportunity to empty the bench in the final quarter. Trevor Williams and Michael Allen knocked in three-pointers, and Larry Wooden scored four points in the contest.
“We’re only as good as we are because of what they bring to practice everyday, and simulate what we have to do. We owe a lot to what those guys really do. Having the chance to pay off those guys, we’re glad to be able to do that,” Quinn said.
Spain Park returns to Jacksonville for the Regional Final on Tuesday, against Gadsden City at 10:45 a.m. The Titans knocked off Mountain Brook with a last-second shot earlier on Thursday.
A trip to the State Finals at the BJCC is on the line.
“They have the total package and have everything they need,” Quinn said. “We have a big guy, and hopefully we can take advantage of that. Their speed factor is tough to stay with. That should be a heck of a game.”