Jackson and Hayes have state title admirations

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1549097' first='Cello' last='Jackson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1549096' first='MJ' last='Hayes'] played against high level competition all summer for Pro Skills 15U.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>And played extremely well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Both prospects showed they belong on the court with other highly talented guys from different areas of the country. Jackson and Hayes' talents were on display this week at the NCAA College Basketball Academy at the Memphis Sports &amp; Events Center.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In a convincing win over Game Elite 16U in the 9th Grade Stars Championship game, Hayes led Pro Skills with 30 points and was head and shoulders better than anyone else on the court. In a win over Team Takeover, Jackson displayed balance at the point guard spot, scoring while facilitating.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gaining plenty of experience from playing in the Nike Elite Youth Basketball League will be helpful once the 2023-24 TSSAA Division II-A Boys' high school basketball season gets here this winter. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hoisting a trophy at center court following Thursday's win over Game Elite made both Jackson and Hayes think about one desitination: Cookeville, Tennessee. The site of the TSSAA Division II-A Boys' State Tournament.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“Yeah, we are trying to go to state. We are trying to win state,” Hayes said.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“Most definitely,” Jackson said. “We should be winning state this year.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>First Assembly Christian School is bringing a strong core back that came up two points short to Davidson Academy in the quarterfinals round of the state tournament last season. Alongside Jackson and Hayes, the Crusaders will have junior guard <strong>Jacob</strong> <strong>Walker</strong> and junior shooting guard <strong>Kris</strong> <strong>Carroll</strong>. FACS will have great balance because Jackson and Walker will anchor the offense, while Hayes and Carroll will be the two guys on the wing wreaking havoc on defenses.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These four prospects can win a state championship together because of the unselfishness. Jackson and Hayes just displayed how winning can be done if there's trust and patience from each individual on the roster. Hayes' 30 points on Thursday featured transition dunks, step back 3s, and putbacks off second-chance rebounds. The 6-foot-4 shooting guard moved well without the basketball and played solid on-ball defense. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jackson was in foul trouble and sat most of the game, but in moments, the 6-2 point guard hustled for rebounds and quickly looked up the floor to see if any passing lanes were open. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These two guys are hungry to hoist another trophy and will not back down from any team standing on the opposite side of the court. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jackson and Hayes are built to play with the bright lights on, and will do whatever it takes to have a happy ending.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->