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Rick Jackson is standing in Springfield College’s Blake Arena Lobby. One by one, kids of all ages walk up to the 6-foot-9 Neumann-Goretti junior asking for autographs.
How many is that Rick?
"I think seven or eight," Jackson replied.
But he wasn’t in the clear just yet, as three more fans hold out their pens.
Why all the attention?
It comes with winning the Most Valuable Performer Award at Sunday’s game against Maryland’s Montrose Christian, which was part of the Basketball Hall of Fame Magic32 Hoophall Classic Fifth Annual High School Invitational.
His final line: 15 points, nine rebounds and five blocks. The more important line: Neumann-Goretti, 67, Montrose Christian, 64.
"It just felt real good," Jackson said, while still signing autographs. "[Montrose Christian’s Kevin Durant] is one of the top-rated big men in the nation, which motivated me to prove a point."
Durant, a 6-foot-10 senior forward heading to the University of Texas, lived up to his billing, tallying a game high of 30 points and 14 rebounds.
But on this day, it was Jackson who earned star status.
The game, which was broadcast nationally on CSTV and attended by NBA and college scouts, went down to the wire.
With 1:44 remaining in regulation, Montrose Christian senior guard Greivis Vasquez hit a lay-up, giving his team a 64-62 lead. Eighty-six seconds later, Jackson hit a jumper to tie the game at 64 and was fouled by Durant in the process. He connected on the foul shot, giving his Saints a 65-64 lead.
Montrose Christian had a chance to take the lead on their next possession, but Vasquez missed the lay-up.
Neumann-Goretti senior Derrick "D.J." Rivera got the rebound, but was fouled for a one-and-one.
At the 33-second mark, Rivera hit a lay-up to give his team a 67-64 lead. With two seconds remaining, Montrose Christian still had a chance to set up for a game-tying shot. The Mustangs inbound the ball, putting it in the hands of Durant, who launched a three that bounced off the rim.
"I was kind of nervous about that shot," Jackson said. "If he made it, I would’ve felt like it was my fault because I was in his face."
But it didn’t and it earned Jackson celebrity status.
More from Springfield
* Jackson was one of three Neumann-Goretti players to reach double figures in points. Rivera led the way with 20 points and six rebounds, while junior Antonio "Scoop" Jardine added 18 points, five assists and two steals. Earl Pettis finished with seven points and five rebounds, but played the majority of the second half on a sprained left ankle.
* Pettis had his ankle taped after the game and went on the team bus with his sneaker removed. The athlete made a quick recovery, as he led the Saints with 21 points in Monday’s win at West Catholic.
* In the tournament’s program, Syracuse University-bound Jardine was highlighted as one of the top juniors to watch and was recognized as a top-50 player in the Class of 2007.
