By Sedrick Bolton III February 25, 2023
JONESBORO The Cardinals advance one step closer to the championship as the star senior duo of Devon Rainey and JaQuez Akins combine for 42 points to help their team remain undefeated in the year.
Jonesboro's defense was clicking on all cylinders in the first quarter. They reeked havoc on Brunswick's offense by getting steals in the half-court, and full-court set, for buckets in transition. The tough, physical defense ended the first quarter with the score being 22-6.
"If I was grading it I would say A-, we came out with some intensity and effort," said Jonesboro's head coach Daniel Maehlman on how his team looked on the defensive end. " [We] still had some lapses here and there but I was pleased with it.
Rainey led all scores with 23 points. He knocked down a three-pointer and attacked the rim as he got by defenders. The 6A Region 3 Player of the Year threw the crowd in a frenzy with two dunks in transition to fuel the flames of their momentum.
"I wanted to win so bad," said Rainey. "I wanted to put my all in there to win".
As the Cardinals improve to 24-3, they extend their win streak to 15 and goes 11-0 at home. With the state championship around the corner, the Cardinals are taking it one opponent at a time.
"It's going to be whoever wants to come out and wants to get to the Final Four," said Coach Maehlman. "Through effort, energy, teamwork, that's the team that's going to come out on top."
Jonesboro is set to face the Alexander Cougars February 28 in the third round of the state playoffs.
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