Jackson-Milton boys finally reach pinnacle of victory

By Joe Scalzo

NORTH JACKSON — Two years ago, the Jackson-Milton High boys basketball team watched as a disgruntled group of seniors quit on their teammates at midseason, starting a downward spiral that resulted in a 66-game losing streak on the court and plenty of ridicule off it.

In the midst of this, second-year head coach Adam Underhill — an assistant coach on that team two years ago — was left with the unenviable task of keeping hope alive.

“We had kids in our own hallways saying negative things,” said Underhill. “Kids would talk up the losing streak last year, writing the number on the board so when we came to practice the kids would see it.”

Then, on Friday, something wonderful happened. Senior Ben Carlile — a member of that team two years ago — stepped up with a career-high 34 points and Jackson-Milton made 18-of-24 free throws in the final quarter to earn a 82-75 victory over visiting Southern.

Read the story in Sunday’s Vindicator and on Vindy.com.