The Central High School Jaguars came back from behind to win their regular season finale against rival Jay High School in boys basketball.
Click here to view a photo gallery from the high school varsity basketball matchup
“(Jay) jumped out to an 11- 2 lead,” said Tony McDonald, the Jaguars head coach. “We just got into our rhythm…give credit to my players, they did not panic. This team has really played hard, they do not leave anything on the court.”
At halftime, the Jaguars had a slight lead over the Royals at 27-24. However after Jay closed the gap with a 29-29 tie in the third quarter, Central came back and held on the lead to finish the game.
“We started off a little slow with everything going on, but I thought we pulled through to the end,” said Nolan Frady, who plays guard for the Jaguars. “We did what we needed to do to get it done.”
There was standing room only in the Central High School gymnasium during Friday night’s win. Many attended to see Tony McDonald coach his final regular season home game with the Jaguars. After more than 30 years of coaching at Central, McDonald plans to retire at the end of the season. According to Tim Nash, the school’s athletic director, Friday night’s win over Jay leaves McDonald at 719 wins.
Following the conclusion of the game, McDonald said he did not know how to feel about his final regular season game. Prior to the start of game, McDonald said many of his former players stepped on to the court in order to recognize McDonald’s final season.
“That was heart-touching (and) special,” he said. “Me and players have had a great relationship since I have been here.”
While the regular season has ended with a record of 14-11, the Jaguars are now facing the postseason. On Tuesday night, the Jaguars will travel to Bethlehem in Bonifay to face a district opponent.
Central has both won and lost a game to Bethlehem this season. Central lost to Bethlehem on Jan. 17 by 10 points. The Jaguars defeated 50-41 Bethlehem during Central’s homecoming in December. Regardless, McDonald said he is looking forward to the matchup.
“We match up with Bethlehem real good size wise,” McDonald said. “We think we can go to Bethlehem and win.”
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Central fends off Jay in regular season finale, 59-50 (PHOTOS)