Jags drop Wildcats, 61-52, advance to Elite 8

The Northridge Jaguars traveled to the Dunn-Oliver Acadome at Alabama State University in Montgomery to take on the Benjamin Russell Wildcats in the AHSAA Class 6A version of the Sweet 16 on Thursday. Once the Jags seized a 16-9 lead in the first quarter, they never relinquished the lead and went on to secure a 61-52 victory to move on to the Class 6A Elite 8.

Northridge got the first bucket of the game to break the ice. Eight Jags contributed to the 16 first quarter points put on the board. The Wildcats managed nine points, resulting in the 16-9 lead for Northridge. Northridge outscored Benjamin Russell 15-9 in the second quarter, giving the Jags a 13-point lead at 31-18 going into halftime.

The Jags came out a little slower in the third quarter, only adding 10 to their point total and, with the Wildcats warming up with 16 points in the quarter, saw their lead fall to seven, at 41-34. Benjamin Russell put together their most prolific effort in the final quarter, scoring 18 points. However, the Jags held their own and eventually had their most productive quarter, scoring 20 points of their own. The result was a solid 61-52 Sweet 16 victory for the Jags.

The win sends Northridge to their first Elite 8 and sets up a rematch with cross-town rival Paul W. Bryant for a chance to advance to the Final Four in Birmingham. The Jags will take on the Stampede on Wednesday at 2:15pm, back at the Acadome in Montgomery.

Anderson Wilkin led the Jags with 20 points. Jalen Green and Jordan Suiter were the other Jags in double figures with 12 and 11, respectively. Kyle Nunnally and Ryan Halperin scored four points each. Garrett Ingram, Adam Hall and Miles Phifer added three apiece. Andrew Matthews contributed one point to the Jags’ total.