Jackson surpasses challenges in 2nd half

Reggie Jackson played second fiddle for nearly a half Friday night in his own gym. But Palmer�s sensational senior scored 28 of his 40 points in the second half � despite having three fouls at intermission � to lead the No. 2 seed Terrors to a hardearned 70-67 victory against No. 7 Gateway in a secondround Class 5A playoff game. Jackson, who is headed to Boston College to play basketball, scored 18 points in the fourth quarter � nine on free throws � as he got the upper hand against Gateway senior O�Rion Hughes, a fouryear starter who overshadowed him in the first half by scoring 22 points. Hughes, who said he is likely headed to junior college over academic concerns, finished with 31. Jackson had just 12 at halftime but hit a buzzer-beating 3-pointer to give Palmer a 25-22 lead at intermission. Hughes also got Jackson�s attention by blowing by him late in the first half. �I just wanted to get him back and lead my team to the Sweet 16,� said Jackson, who punctuated the victory with 45 seconds left with a powerful one-handed dunk on the fast break, which also drew a foul. Palmer coach Jimmy Grantz left the hospital Wednesday after spending part of three days being treated for pleurisy, an inflammation of the lungs. �Now I feel pretty good,� Grantz said. He was also impressed by Jackson�s performance. �Reggie lives for this,� Grantz said. �Reggie lives for the moment. He�s the most competitive player I�ve ever been around. It�s a little like Tiger Woods in that you don�t want to show him up or make him mad.� Palmer (22-2) has won five consecutive games since losing two straight. Gateway (14-11) had won its previous five games by an average of 15 points. �We were on a roll,� Gateway coach Jeff Sweet said. �Everybody would�ve called it an upset but we knew it would be a great game and we came to win.� With a respectful nod to Jackson, Sweet said, �He�s something special.� Jon Burnley (13 points), Kwame Washington (10) and Earl Harden (nine rebounds) all played well for Palmer, which advanced to Wednesday�s second round at the World Arena. CONTACT THE WRITER: 636-0250 or sports@gazette.com