By Robert Wilson
Andy Segrest won three Overall Tournament championships when he played basketball at Jackson Prep in the late 1990s. Now, Segrest isn’t the only one in his household with a championship.
Andy’s son, Luke, had a career night – scoring 30 points, 23 more than his average, and made 9 of 13 shots from the field, 6 of 7 from 3-point range and 6 of 6 from the free throw line – to lead Prep to a 65-60 overtime victory over defending MAIS Overall champion Madison-Ridgeland Academy Saturday to win the Class 6A state championship and end MRA’s seven-time state title streak.
For his outstanding performance, Luke Segrest has been named the Priority One Bank/Mississippi Scoreboard Metro Jackson Boys Basketball Player of the Week.
Segrest came into Saturday averaging 6.8 points and shooting 37.7 percent from the field and 26.9 percent from 3-point range this season. But the 6-foot junior guard was on fire against MRA. His career-high 30 points was double his previous career-high of 14 points. Segrest scored 18 points in the first half, singlehandedly outscored MRA by one point, as Prep jumped out to a 30-17 halftime lead. He made 7 of 8 shots from the field and 4 of 4 from 3-point range, in his torrid first two quarters.
“Luke had a special night against MRA,” Prep coach Tim Wise said. “His numbers show his competitive spirit. When he is needed the most, he does not run from the moment. Saturday night was special as he brought forth a confidence level from the onset. Luke is another one of the guys that trusts the processes of purposeful work in the gym by himself. We are glad that he is only a junior as he is self-driven to do things right on and off the court.
“Luke is a complete player. Although only averaging six points on the year, he is valuable in so many ways, defending the opponent’s most complete guard, handling the ball under pressure, and making the proper decision by seeing the next play (two to one ratio with assists to turnovers). Luke is our second leading defensive rebounder from the guard spot. He has those factors and intangibles that you cannot teach in this game and that certainly has guided his development.”
Segrest is averaging 7.6 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.9 steals for 25-7 Prep, which plays host to West Memphis, Ark., the No. 3 team from Class 2A, Wednesday in the first round of the Overall Tournament.
