Basketball Recap: Ra-Shawn Echols' Big Game Can't Quite Lead Jacksonville over White Oak

Jacksonville lost against White Oak back in December of 2024 and unfortunately they wound up with the same result on Monday. The Jacksonville Cardinals took a 67-61 hit to the loss column at the hands of the White Oak Vikings. While losing is never fun, the Cardinals can't take it too hard given the team's big disadvantage in MaxPreps' North Carolina basketball rankings (they are ranked 248th, while the Vikings are ranked 77th).

Jacksonville's loss came despite a true team effort from the offense, with many players turning in solid performances. Perhaps the best among them was Ra-Shawn Echols, who dropped a double-double on 17 points and 11 rebounds. That's the most boards Echols has posted since back in January of 2024. Another player making a difference was Deondrea Gill, who posted 12 points in addition to seven steals and six boards.

Even though they lost, Jacksonville smashed the offensive glass and finished the game with 17 offensive boards. That's the most offensive rebounds they've managed all season.

Leading White Oak to victory were Jamison Avila and Trevor Highsmith. Avila went 6 of 11 on his way to 21 points and six rebounds, while Highsmith dropped a double-double on 13 points and 11 boards. Highsmith is also on a roll when it comes to steals, as he's now grabbed two or more in the last four games he's played. Another player making a difference was Camron Myers, who almost dropped a double-double on nine points and 12 rebounds.

Jacksonville's defeat dropped their record down to 2-5. As for White Oak, the victory made it two in a row for them and bumps their season record up to 8-4.

Coincidentally, the two teams will both be playing West Carteret the next time they take the court. Jacksonville will head out to face West Carteret at 8:30 p.m. on January 6th, while White Oak will host them at 8:00 p.m. on January 10th.