SportsGroove TV/WOL Wizards Blog: Jack Returns Triumphantly

Ron Bailey, i95Ballerz.com Publisher, in conjuction with SportsGroove TV and WOL 1450am

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December 17, 2008 – December 17, 2008 – Fort Washington, MD native Jarrett Jack was instrumental in the visiting Indiana Pacer’s 118-98 pasting of the Washington Wizards. The defeat, which leaves Washington 4-18 on the season, was likely the season’s worst, given Indiana’s (8-16) pre-game status as losers of six straight contests.

Jack, a 6’3” guard finished with 16 points, two rebounds, three assists and three steals, scoring only four points in the first half. He was simply dazzling in fending off a resurgent Wizard crew, one that found themselves down 14 at intermission: Time and time again late in the third and throughout the fourth quarters, Jarrett made plays, whether scoring, passing. By the time he finished via fast break dunk, the Pacers were ahead by 20 – representing a 35-15 scoring run after Washington knotted the game at 83.

Jarrett Jack finding his man defensively on Monday.

“Without question, man” said a happy Jack afterward, when asked if he gets up for heading back to the Nation’s Capital. “And it’s always good to get a win and put on a good show for my friends and family”.

Of helping his team stay in control of the game, Jack shared he attempted “to be aggressive, that’s all”, a plan most exhibited by his drive and dish tactics; repeatedly Jack drove the ball, collapsing the defense in the process, before passing. In Indiana’s spaced out offense, that would either lead to a basket or initiate a perimeter passing sequence that did.

Jack left the area as a high school junior for prep school, before attending Georgia Tech (2002-2005), but unequivocally claims the Washington area as home. Here’s Jarrett, in his first year as a Pacer (third in the league), on DC area basketball: “We are always one of the best cities in terms of basketball. DC taught me at a young age on how to be tough…We are a tough minded city and tough minded people, and that’s pretty much what I took from growing up here”.

Jim O’Brien, the Pacer’s coach recognizes Jack’s ethos, stating afterward nightly “He brings a hard nosed approach. He attacks constantly” while also being “a good communicator and good leader”. Resultantly O’Brien, in his second year at Indiana shared “We feel very fortunate to have him, he’s been key in every win we’ve had (this season)”. The coach also indicated Jarrett not only provides point guard minutes, but also on occasion plays shooting guard.