Jackson County Central boys’ basketball is in the Class AA state tournament after beating Morris-Area/Chokio-Alberta 67-52 in the Section 3AA championship on Thursday night.

RECAP: JCC BBB recap 3-15-24 

It’s the fourth time in as many tries that the Huskies at least qualified for the state tournament. They made it in 2016 and 2017 before Huskies head coach Alex Hein and his 2020 squad won the section title, but the state tournament was not played because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

FULL COACH INTERVIEW: JCC BBB coach 3-15-24 

The Tigers led by six points early but after an 8-0 Huskies run finished by Aiven Farmer’s made free throw JCC went out front for the first time 13-12. Six more lead changes finished the first half with the Tigers on top 29-27 at halftime. Five more lead changes started the second half. Weston Rowe scored for a 38-36 lead and the Huskies never lost the lead again. They grew the advantage to nine points before the Tigers got it back within three after a timeout. JCC responded by building the lead to double digits and then never led by less than eight points during the last five minutes. 

Roman Voss led a balanced JCC offense with 23 points and Rowe scored 12. Grant Freking ended the game with a dunk for 10 points with Ben Gallagher putting in 10 as well. Carson Pohlman and Thomas Liepold each scored four points, Thomas Sether scored three and Aiven Farmer had one.

The Huskies will play in the state tournament on Wednesday, March 20th with full details to be announced late Saturday morning. JCC will play at either 6:00 or 8:00 p.m. inside Williams Arena or Target Center.

Lake City and Waseca also qualified for state in Class AA and the other five section champions will be determined on Friday night.