The Monday Big Shots
In this article:
Monday evening a pair of wing guards buried buzzer-beaters. Kareem Sharif Kareem Sharif 6'2" | CG Rockvale | 2021 State TN (Rockvale) and Martise Jackson Martise Jackson 6'3" | CG Siegel | 2021 State TN (Siegel) completely ended their respective games with timely touches of the melon. Below we go into detail on both plays, including an exclusive interview with Martise Jackson Martise Jackson 6'3" | CG Siegel | 2021 State TN .
PrepHoopsTN: I saw you guys were down by a lot earlier in the game (to Blackman High).
Martise Jackson
Martise
Jackson
6'3" | CG
Siegel | 2021
State
TN
: Yes, sir. We were down by 11 the first half, but we made some adjustments and coach did an awesome job getting us ready for the second half. Hats to Blackman for an awesome game.
PrepHoopsTN: Blackman didn’t score much in the second half. What happened?
Martise Jackson
Martise
Jackson
6'3" | CG
Siegel | 2021
State
TN
: It was a low scoring game to begin with. We just made every big play to win.
Tied 46-46 with seconds remaining, Zion Swader Zion Swader 6'0" | PG Siegel | 2021 State TN dribbled to the near wing. He found firm defense and swung the ball to the top of the key to Jaylan Wetzel Jaylan Wetzel 6'1" | SG Siegel | 2021 State TN . Wetzel didn’t even look at the basket, swiftly getting the ball to the far wing and a moderately-open Martise Jackson Martise Jackson 6'3" | CG Siegel | 2021 State TN . Jackson stood a full 2’ behind the three-point line and let loose. With the ball mere feet from reaching the cylinder the loud horn sounded. SPLASH. Martise ended the comeback with the wonderful shot.
PrepHoopsTN: Did you expect to get a touch in the last few seconds? Was it a surprise?
Martise Jackson
Martise
Jackson
6'3" | CG
Siegel | 2021
State
TN
: I wasn’t expecting to but was ready and trusted my teammates to find me open.
PrepHoopsTN: Last question. What was your immediate thought when you could tell it was in?
Martise Jackson
Martise
Jackson
6'3" | CG
Siegel | 2021
State
TN
:Honestly, I don’t remember, I was caught up in the moment at the time so I was just happy it went in.
New to the Party
Rockvale really struggled last year, in the program’s first season. The roster was thin. Obviously the coaching staff was brand new. New gym. New uniforms. No cohesion or tradition. They won just 2 of 26 games in their inaugural venture. Monday senior Kareem Sharif Kareem Sharif 6'2" | CG Rockvale | 2021 State TN helped establish Rockvale’s basketball tradition with the following buzzer-beater.
Let me set the stage. Game tied 65-65 Rockvale with the ball, 1.9 seconds left on the clock. Annnndddd Action!! @KareemSharif8 finished the game with 14 pts.@Rockvale_MBB @PSBNashville @cecil_joyce pic.twitter.com/cKIm79stjK
— Haneef Sharif Sr (@HaneefSr) January 5, 2021
With the win, Rockvale equaled their win total from 2019-2020. The seniors are ready to compete for more in a difficult 7AAA District.
Columbia Academy Wins
The Bulldogs of Columbia Academy pulled away from Summertown late, outscoring SHS 25-18 in the final quarter. For CA Tanner Ham scored 23 of the teams’ 83 points. Junior Drew Butt managed 20 points on 8-12 shooting. Will Jackson helped with 11 rebounds and 5 assists.