Bob Lutz: Zach Jackson, Samajae Jones give East variety that’s worth watching

There was Samajae Jones, bubbling over with energy, firing up some good shots and some bad shots with a flair that made the lights inside Koch Arena flicker.

And there was Zach Jackson, calmly going about his business. The fire that burned inside Jackson was hidden from onlookers as his expression remained stoic in the heat of battle.

Jones and Jackson are East basketball teammates, fellow seniors and close friends since they started playing Biddy Basketball together when they were 7.

They combined for 42 points Friday as the Blue Aces (23-1) came from behind to beat Olathe East 59-52 in the Class 6A semifinals.

Jackson made 5 of 8 shots and 9 of 10 free throws to score 22 points. He had three assists on nifty passes, made his first three three-pointers and impressed by remaining so calm in such a storm.

East trailed by five points early in the fourth quarter, but Jackson scored nine points in the fourth to help the Aces recover.

Jones, meanwhile, was a pinball machine. Watching him evokes so many emotions, from wonderment at his athleticism and maneuverability to sometimes wondering why he took that shot or made that pass.

East coach Joe Jackson said the Blue Aces feed off Jones’ energy but also off Jackson’s control, depending on the situation.

“It’s good to have that mix of personalities,” Jackson said. “Everybody thinks Zach is a really calm, quiet kid, but he’s an intense guy. He just doesn’t show it outwardly as much as Samajae.”

Jones took 18 shots Friday and made six. Yet there was never a time when it appeared his conscience might kick in. He kept firing and finished with 20 points.

Jones was also East’s main ballhandler against Olathe East’s late pressure. It felt kind of like giving the car keys to an adolescent. Jones kept weaving in and out of trouble, but managed to bring the car home without a scratch.

“When Samajae makes a big play, you can see the guys on our bench just going crazy,” Jackson said. “There were a few tense moments in this game tonight, but we have confidence in our games. They came out and performed tonight.”

The 6-foot-5 Jackson, who has signed with Nebraska-Omaha, has a smooth shooting touch. He’s a smooth passer. He’s a trip down a smooth road. He probably likes Smoothies.

“Zach, he’s so calm in big games like this,” Jones said. “But he really steps up. We both stepped up tonight and played our game and fought through adversity.”

There’s nothing smooth about Jones, a 6-foot left-hander who rarely throttles down.

He’s the surface of the sun while Jackson is a ripple on the ocean.

Yet they have always worked so well together.

Jackson didn’t turn 17 until August, so he’s a young senior who is getting better and better. It looks like he’s still filling out his body with some room to grow. He should be a strong shooting guard or small forward in college.

Jones will not be academically eligible to play Division I basketball next season, but is being recruited by many junior colleges. He’ll learn to temper some of his exuberance in time, which will help him as a player. But Jones can’t stop being himself.

He’s such an exciting guard with extraordinary quickness. He was able to get into the lane at will against Olathe East, but sometimes tried to shoot over bigger defenders when a pass would have been the right choice.

“Samajae plays really intense and that rubs off on the rest of the guys on the team,” Zach Jackson said. “It makes us pick our energy level up.

“We always push each other in practice. We got at each other and show no mercy but that’s just how you get better. We still respect each other, we’re still best friends and we’re still brothers off the court.”

East, which hasn’t won a state championship since 2005, gets another shot at its ninth title Saturday. The Aces were beaten late in the season by City League-rival Heights, a loss that seems to have re-focused them.

Jones, whose mother died of cancer just before the start of the season, has dedicated the season to her. He has made it his goal to win a state championship in her honor.

After Friday’s semifinal win, played with a high level of horsepower, Jones admitted to being tired. But when Saturday night’s game starts, he’ll be zipping around and causing spectators to ooh and aah and hold on to their seats.

Jones is the daredevil.

Jackson is more prudent.

Their teammates feed off them and seem to enjoy the variety.

This story was originally published March 13, 2015 at 9:15 PM with the headline "Bob Lutz: Zach Jackson, Samajae Jones give East variety that’s worth watching."