No. 12 Jacksonville Survives Whitehouse in Overtime + Improves to 28-0

WHITEHOUSE -- The 12th-ranked Jacksonville Indians began the week undefeated, and after withstanding a pair of grueling tests from the competition, they ended it with their perfect record still intact.

Jacksonville survived a furious fourth-quarter rally by dominating Whitehouse in overtime for a 62-56 win on Friday at Wildcat Arena, which improved the Indians to 28-0 overall and 5-0 in District 16-4A.

The victory, which comes on the heels of a 50-49 victory over John Tyler on Tuesday, further distanced Jacksonville from the rest of the district.

"We talked about that in pregame," Jacksonville coach Brent Kelley said. "We knew that if we won tonight, we'd have a two-game lead on everybody with five left, and three of the last five are at our place. So the kids knew what was at stake. This was bigger than John Tyler because it was our next game and because we could distance ourselves from second."

Kedarrius Buckingham led Jacksonville with 14 points, 11 rebounds and two blocks. Daytron Thompson added 13 points, four boards and five steals, while Londedric Taylor chipped in with 13 points and three rebounds.

"I was hoping we could go 2-0 (this week), but I didn't know if we could," Kelley said. "We could've easily gone 0-2 against two of the best programs in East Texas in John Tyler and Whitehouse. I'm just proud of the kids and the way we fought through the week."

Jake Parker scored 21 points with four rebounds, three assists and two steals to lead Whitehouse (19-7, 3-2). Patrick Mahomes added 20 points, 12 boards and four steals for the Wildcats, who rallied from a six-point deficit in the final two minutes to force overtime.

"They believed that they were going to win the game," Whitehouse coach Ryan Tomlin said. "We got some stops finally and made some shots. They were the ones saying, 'Coach, we got it.' When kids believe like that, that's 95 percent of the battle."

Jacksonville scored the first seven points in overtime to build a 59-52 lead, and closed the game by going 6 of 8 from the free throw line.

"We had two big turnovers against their press back-to-back (in overtime), and they scored on both of them," Tomlin said. "I think they went up four at that time, and we never closed it."

A turnaround, short-range jumper by Buckigham gave Jacksonville a 51-45 lead with 2:13 remaining, but Whitehouse was able to get back in it at the free throw line.

Buckingham was called for a technical foul after a blocked shot, and Ryan Cheatham knocked down both free throws. Mahomes was fouled on the ensuing possession, and was perfect at the line as well, cutting the Jacksonville lead to 51-49 with 1:34 remaining.

Then with 29 seconds remaining, Cheatham buried a game-tying 3-pointer.

"We set a high screen for (Mahomes)," Tomlin said. "We knew they were probably going to try and help (defensively on Mahomes). Pat did a good job of hitting (Cheatham)."

Jacksonville turned it over on its next possession, which allowed Whitehouse to get the ball with 2.8 seconds to go. Cheatham launched a pass the length of the court to Mahomes, whose shot at the buzzer rimmed out, forcing the extra session.

"We made bad decisions at the end of regulation, it shouldn't have gone to overtime," Kelley said. "You've got to give Whitehouse credit for battling back. They showed a lot of character by coming back from (six) down late in the game, but we took control in overtime and did what we needed to do to win."

Jacksonville travels to Lindale on Tuesday to begin the second round of district, while Whitehouse is at Corsicana.

Jacksonville Girls Grab Crucial Win

Chancii Scott scored 21 points to lead the Jacksonville Maidens to a 50-41 win over Whitehouse earlier on Friday.

The win improved Jacksonville to 16-14 overall and 3-4 in 16-4A, one game ahead of Whitehouse (12-11, 2-5) for fourth place in the district.

Jacksonville took control with an 11-0 run in the third quarter that opened up a 37-24 lead.

Ashton Ates led Whitehouse with 14 points.

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District 16-4A Boys
At Wildcat Arena, Whitehouse
No. 12 Jacksonville 62, Whitehouse 56 (OT)

Jacksonville                9   11   18   14   10   --   62
Whitehouse               13   10   11   18     4   --   56
JACKSONVILLE--Kedarrius Buckingham, 14; Londedric Taylor, 13; Daytron Thompson, 13; Raybon Riden, 9; Ozzian Clayborne, 5; Dadrian Franklin, 5; Charles Kendrick, 2; Jeremy McAnally, 1.
WHITEHOUSE--Jake Parker, 21; Patrick Mahomes, 20; Ryan Cheatham, 9; Jaylon Dews, 4.
RECORDS--Jacksonville 28-0 (5-0); Whitehouse 19-7 (3-2).

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District 16-4A Girls
At Wildcat Arena, Whitehouse
Jacksonville 50, Whitehouse 41

Jacksonville                8   14   15   13   --   50
Whitehouse               10     8     8   15   --   41
JACKSONVILLE--Chancii Scott, 21; Keevie Mathis, 9; DeMonica Franklin, 6; Jasmine Parson, 6; Sametria Baker, 4; Aishia Griffin, 2; Inchantra Kendrick, 2.
WHITEHOUSE--Ashton Ates, 14; Kenslie Dews, 7; Morgan Tauscher, 7; Madyson Williams, 6; Lexus Phelps, 4; Brooke Stewart, 2; Victoria Taylor, 1.
RECORDS--Jacksonville 16-14 (3-4); Whitehouse 12-11 (2-5).