Jackson-Milton celebrates end to long, frustrating losing streak

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,” Underhill said. “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.

“They beat down on the players, but we kept building them up. We said, ‘Hey, they don’t know what they’re talking about. They don’t see what you’re doing here. They don’t see your hard work.’ ”

That work started showing fruit this season, as the Bluejays flirted with victory several times — they lost at the buzzer to Lordstown, fell in the final seconds to Western Reserve and held a lead entering the fourth quarter against Mineral Ridge — but the result was the same. Ten straight losses.

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.

It was the Bluejays’ first win since beating Bloomfield 55-28 on Jan. 3, 2006.

How did it feel?

“Oh, the adrenaline flew from the top of my body down to the bottom,” said Underhill, who teaches physical education at Hope Academy in Akron. “There was a big crowd there and everybody ran out [on the court] and went crazy.

“Nobody wanted to leave the gym. It was like the movie ‘We are Marshall.’ Moms were going crazy, everyone was so hyped.”

Yougstown State kicker Brian Palmer, one of Underhill’s best friends, even tried to pour a bucket of water on the coach.

“But I was wearing a waterproof shirt, so it dribbled off me like I had on wax,” Underhill said.

It was just one win, but Underhill believes it’s the start of something big. With a talented sophomore class, led by Carlile’s brother Jake, he’s set a goal of making it to Columbus in two years.

“Hey, it’s a huge goal,” he said. “But if you don’t shoot high, you’ll never reach it.”

scalzo@vindy.com