Jackson tops Paxon to win Gateway Conference boys hoops title
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Jackson won its third Gateway Conference boys basketball championship in the past four seasons on Friday night, knocking off Paxon 73-52.
The Tigers won championships in 2018-19 before being upset in the conference quarterfinals a season ago. Paxon knocked off First Coast to win the Gateway last year.
The Tigers (14-4) pulled away just before halftime and slammed the door shut in the fourth. Stephon Payne led Jackson with 16 points and Bryce Turner had 12.
Paxon was trying to defend its Gateway crown that it won last season on a team headlined by eventual Mr. Basketball Isaiah Adams . Instead, it had to settle for runner-up, thanks to a Jackson surge before halftime that broke open a tight game.
Quinnton Jackson had 19 points for the Golden Eagles (16-6) and Jakobe Williams followed with 18.
Copyright 2021 by WJXT News4Jax - All rights reserved.
About the Author Justin Barney headshot
Justin Barney joined News4Jax in February 2019, but he’s been covering sports on the First Coast for more than 20 years.
‘The people’s utility’: Carrico considering council action after IG requests review of JEA fees ▶ 0:55
‘The people’s utility’: Carrico considering council action after IG requests review of JEA fees
Ludacris takes the stage at Military Appreciation Day during The Players Championship ▶ 1:13
Ludacris takes the stage at Military Appreciation Day during The Players Championship
Lawsuit filed over firearm policy at Bradford County Fair ▶ 0:28
Lawsuit filed over firearm policy at Bradford County Fair
March 10, 6 p.m. scene of a crash on Edgewood Avenue, News4JAX working to learn more ▶ 0:30
March 10, 6 p.m. scene of a crash on Edgewood Avenue, News4JAX working to learn more
Clay County to bring K-9s into high schools. Some parents have concerns about the program ▶ 1:23
Clay County to bring K-9s into high schools. Some parents have concerns about the program
Get your garden growing! The weather is perfect and there is some rain on the way ▶ 4:40
Get your garden growing! The weather is perfect and there is some rain on the way
Don't pack up the jacket despite near record highs in our forecast ▶ 1:00
Don't pack up the jacket despite near record highs in our forecast
Morning Show anchor Bruce Hamilton shares update on his cancer journey ▶ 1:28
Morning Show anchor Bruce Hamilton shares update on his cancer journey
🐾 Meet Chowder, a big-headed sweetheart with an even bigger heart ▶ 1:04
🐾 Meet Chowder, a big-headed sweetheart with an even bigger heart
The Players Championship practice rounds get underway under sunny skies ▶ 1:03
The Players Championship practice rounds get underway under sunny skies
Meteorologist Katie Garner breaks down your forecast for The Players Championship this week ▶ 0:46
Meteorologist Katie Garner breaks down your forecast for The Players Championship this week
Deadly Westside crash closes lanes on 103rd Street near Valdura Avenue ▶ 0:25
Deadly Westside crash closes lanes on 103rd Street near Valdura Avenue
Off-duty Nassau County deputy rescues child from retention pond ▶ 0:42
Off-duty Nassau County deputy rescues child from retention pond
Bishop Kenny boys basketball team has used youth to power run to final four ▶ 0:59
Bishop Kenny boys basketball team has used youth to power run to final four
Loss last year in playoffs fueled this season's playoff run for Bishop Kenny ▶ 0:48
Loss last year in playoffs fueled this season's playoff run for Bishop Kenny
JFRD didn’t inspect a halfway house for 59 years. Now the house faces costly issues ▶ 1:04
JFRD didn’t inspect a halfway house for 59 years. Now the house faces costly issues
Proposal could bring new public beach access to Ponte Vedra Beach ▶ 1:11
Proposal could bring new public beach access to Ponte Vedra Beach
AG Pam Bondi talks about attack in New York City ▶ 0:28
AG Pam Bondi talks about attack in New York City
Another popular downtown business prepares to shut down ▶ 0:31
Another popular downtown business prepares to shut down
With days to go, House, Senate still at odds over Florida’s budget ▶ 0:48
With days to go, House, Senate still at odds over Florida’s budget
Bolles Girls Prep for Final Four ▶ 0:46
Bolles Girls Prep for Final Four
Jackson Ready For Semifinals ▶ 1:17
Jackson Ready For Semifinals
Men's, women's winners of 49th Gate River Run ▶ 0:49
Men's, women's winners of 49th Gate River Run
Council President says Inspector General is looking into ‘serious allegations’ related to JEA ▶ 0:52
Council President says Inspector General is looking into ‘serious allegations’ related to JEA
Jacksonville Beach police plan heavy deployment for takeover event near pier on Saturday ▶ 0:37
Jacksonville Beach police plan heavy deployment for takeover event near pier on Saturday
Previous photo Next photo 