Ellison’s plans were interrupted Tuesday night in the Class 5A Division II state semifinals, two wins shy of its ultimate goal.
Sixth-ranked Mansfield Summit went on a 10-0 run in the fourth quarter after the third-ranked Eagles had taken a one-point lead, used the spurt to close out a 48-40 victory at Corsicana High School and secured its spot in the UIL State Championship game.
The Eagles, playing in their third consecutive state semifinal, closed the season with a 30-6 record, their third 30-plus win season in a row, in which they also were district champions.
The Jaguars (32-7), coached by former Shoemaker head coach and Ellison alum Emund Prichett, will play No. 2 Fort Bend Marshall for the title Saturday in San Antonio.
“I thought they were just more physical than us, and it showed on the glass and it showed in the points in the paint,” Ellison coach Alberto Jones Jr. said, leaning against a wall in a quiet hallway that leads to a set of locker rooms as his players, solemn and heartbroken, filed out to be greeted by their families. “I thought that was the key. They were just more physical than us.”
Not many teams can say they’ve done something a little bit better than the Eagles over the course of a three-year span during which Ellison has accumulated a staggering 103 wins to just 16 defeats. (And to think two of those were in a state championship game.)
It’s not easy to start a season in November and get to the month of March on one occasion. Ellison just did it three times over.
“I’m really proud of them. We were in Region III the last two years, and Region II has always been the toughest region. So, the naysayers would be like, ‘Well, they weren’t in Region II.’ So, to be put in Region II this year after realignment and get back here again, I thought that showed that this is one of the premier programs in the state,” said Jones, who has 445 career wins, including 35 in the playoffs, during 17 years in charge of his alma mater.
“It’s not just because of this year or last year. It’s over the last 20 years, this has been one of the premier programs in the state, and we don’t plan on changing that anytime soon,” Jones added.
Senior Ahziel “JoJo” McIver’s 3-pointer from the wing with 5:44 left in the fourth quarter gave Ellison a 33-32 advantage. But the Eagles’ first lead since the first quarter was short-lived after Summit’s Caleb Richard countered at the other end with a 3 that pushed the Jaguars in front 35-33 and kick-started the decisive 10-0 run.
Summit led 15-12 after the first quarter, 24-17 at the half and 32-30 going into the fourth. It was a rematch of the 2022-2023 state semifinal when Ellison prevailed 52-50.
McIver finished Tuesday’s encounter with a game-high 19 points. Sean Parks added eight points, Darone Leakes six and Marneko Thomas five for the Eagles.
“It’s tough. You know, our main goal the past three years to (win a state title). Unfortunately, we weren’t able to. But it was still amazing to be able to finish out with these guys. These are guys that I’ve known since elementary, middle school. So, it was an honor to go out and play with those guys, that’s for sure,” said McIver, who Jones said is likely the winningest player in program history, having been part of 121 victories throughout a four-year career.
“This is probably the most connected group I’ve been part of. This group, these guys, we built a bond that will transcend beyond basketball and high school,” McIver said.
McIver, a Colorado State signee, is one of five seniors to depart. Leakes, Jay-Quan Gaines, Shahiem Bogues and Nicholas Jones are the others.
“I mean, what can I say about Jo. He was a four-year starter for us. It’s going to be different without him. I’ve been pushing him for four years because I saw how great he could be,” Coach Jones said. “But, not just Jo. Darone Leakes, he came in big for us for two years. Jay-Quan Gaines, Shahiem Bogues, Nicholas Jones. It’s a good bunch and I will miss them.”
The longtime coach, in typical fashion, then shifted his thoughts to keeping the train rolling toward the elusive state championship.
“We have to get back to work,” Jones said.
The Eagles will do that with returning starters Parks, Thomas and Elijah Bass, and key contributors Prince Hall and Chandler Miles, plus a strong group of incoming sophomores.
To view more photos of the game, visit the Killeen ISD Communications Flickr page here.
