Maynard H. Jackson Girls Finish as Runners Up in State Championship Final

MHJ's Erica Gibbons — Maynard H. Jackson guard Erica Gibbons (left) grabs a rebound from a Morgan County player during the Georgia High School Association Class AAA basketball championship game, Saturday in Macon. (Courtesy Kent D. Johnson, Atlanta Journal Constitution)

The Maynard H. Jackson girls’ magical season, in which the team inspired an entire community , came to an end Saturday in Macon, as the Lady Jaguars lost the Georgia High School Association Class AAA girls basketball championship game to Morgan County, 68-61, at the Macon Coliseum.

Jackson, the Class AAA Region 6 champions, finished the season with an outstanding school-best record of 30-2.

MHJ's Kayla Thomas — Jackson guard Kayla Thomas goes up for a shot after going past a Morgan County defender during the GHSA Class AAA basketball championship game, Saturday in Macon. (Courtesy Kent D. Johnson, Atlanta Journal Constitution)

Senior Erica Gibbons, who has signed a scholarship to play next season at Alabama State University, led Jackson in the game, scoring 26 points and grabbing 15 rebounds. Kayla Thomas finished the game with nine points and eight rebounds. Kayla Mayfield, who has signed a scholarship to play next season at Tuskegee University, had six points and 11 rebounds. Kemiesha Walker, who signed with Eastern Michigan University, had six points, Tiernee Smith and Tamara White scored five points and Shantavius Arnold scored four.