Dakota loses Jackson in loss to UofD Jesuit

DETROIT - Macomb Dakota dropped its second straight game, losing to University of Detroit Jesuit 69-61 at Calihan Hall. But the biggest loss for the Cougars was senior point guard Jermaine Jackson Jr., who may have dislocated his shoulder late in the game.

The incident came with 2:41 remaining on the clock, and UofD Jesuit leading 58-55, when Jackson hit the floor hard on defense, and remained there. Dakota coaching staff, and his father, Jackson Sr., rushed to his side, before he was wheeled off in a wheelchair to a training room in Calihan Hall.

"I think his arm went out, but I don't want to speculate on what happened," Dakota head coach Paul Tocco said. "I did not see what happened, but I heard it might be a dislocation."

Jackson actually led all scorers with 24 points before he exited, in what was a close game near the end. Dakota fought to the end without its leader but could not overcome the deficit, late.

"They all felt for him (Jackson), but at the same time they didn't stop playing," Tocco added. "Obviously they wanted to play for him. Anytime you see your best player go down, it's going to be emotional for everybody, but, they didn't quit, and they kept playing hard. It was tough without him. I'm proud of the boys, we persevered, and we fought until the end."

Dakota was already without 6-8 junior forward and Michigan State commit Thomas Kithier, who has missed the last two games with a knee injury. UofD Jesuit overmatched Dakota with two 6-9 players, but 6-9 senior Jack Ballantyne held his own, scoring 20 points and grabbing eight rebounds. He hit four 3-pointers in the game, adding to what was a lethal offensive combination between he and Jackson, before Jackson got hurt.

"Jack's a great kid," said Tocco. "Jack's a great addition for us. He can do it inside. He can do it outside. Against those two bigs, I think we had a disadvantage in size, but Jack did some great things for us. He hit those threes, and he's one of our leaders. He's a point guard in a 6-9 body. He had a big-time game for us."

Tocco said he expects Kithier to be back after Christmas break.

Dakota has played one of the toughest schedules to begin the season, winning in a thriller to open the season against Detroit Pershing, beating New Haven, losing to Detroit East English Village Prep on Saturday, and playing UofD Jesuit to the wire without its two best players. Tocco does not want a pity party, and believes this stretch will only better his team.

"It's a reason why we put together schedules like this," he said. "We want to see where we're at come March, and we're starting to find out where we are at. Obviously we have to get healthy. If we get J.J., and Thomas healthy, we can play with anybody."

After the game, Jackson was sitting on a training room table inside Calihan Hall talking to family and friends. He said he was trying to play defense, and hit the floor hard, and felt his shoulder pop. His right arm was wrapped in bandage, but he seemed to not be in much pain, and in good spirits.