By Mike Moore
Staff Writer
Jackson — At 7 p.m. Thursday night, Dan Crowley and his Jackson boys basketball team will close out the regular season against rival Lumen Christi.
It’s a fitting way to wrap one season before embarking what the Vikings hope is a lengthy and successful playoff run next week.
But for Crowley, tonight is also a bittersweet game, on he admitted to not looking forward to every year around this time.
“It’s hard, especially for the seniors,” the Vikings’ coach said. “It’s always tough for the guys to slip on that home jersey one final time.”
Jackson (8-11), is looking to end the year on a high note, especially on its home court, where things haven’t gone all that well.
Entering Thursday, the Vikings were just 2-6 at home.
“For us, going out a winner is the main goal,” Crowley said.
But the other goal is honoring those about to play their final home game.
Crowley said he plans on starting all five of his healthy seniors.
“It’s something I always like to try and do,” he said. “It doesn’t matter our record or who we’re playing, letting those guys start is a big deal.”
Tonight’s projected starting five include Shonte Suddeth, Marquise Robinson, Rarshiem Owens, Montez White and Jamarr Parris.
The team’s sixth senior, Mike Rook, is injured and not playing.
While Robinson is having a career season, leading the team with 15.8 points per game and four rebounds, Suddeth is the highest profile player set to take the home court tonight the last time.
The four-year varsity veteran has played above his size and had a major impact on the team since he came along as a freshman four years ago.
He recently eclipsed the 1,000-point mark for his career.
He’s averaging 15.5 points per game this season, with a team best 5.3 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game.
“Last year and this year was his first chance to play with his classmates, guys he had success with in middle school,” Crowley said of Suddeth. “We never had the size on the team to go with him, but he’s always been a big part of the success we’ve had.”
Don’t be surprised if Suddeth, or any senior for that matter, has a big game.
The Vikings rolled past Lumen 79-45 in December, as Suddeth scored 22 with eight assists, four rebounds and two steals.
Lumen comes into the game 3-16 and losers of seven in a row.
Mike Moore is a play-by-play commentator and Sports Writer for JTV Sports.
He’s also a Real Estate agent with Real Estate One, specializing with buyers and sellers throughout Michigan, from the Jackson area to metro Detroit. You can reach him at mjm12@albion.edu or by calling (313) 770-6365 with any inquiries.