Jackson Christian’s Drew Blackgrove Breaks Points Per Game Record

JCS Royals Senior Drew Blacgroves drives for 2 against his former school, Grass Lake

It’s been a week of records this past week for the small school of Jackson Christian. First, senior Thomas Miller broke the school rebounding record in a single game with 27. Then, just a few day later, his teammate and close friend Drew Blackgrove broke the school record for most points in a game with 40!

The all around athletic forward achieved his feat on the road in Litchfield. It was something he had wanted to do to leave his lasting legacy behind to the Royals, but Drew has a team first mentality.

“It felt great to finally break the record,” an excited Blackgrove exclaimed. “It’s something I’ve had my goal set on throughout my High School career. I’ve had about 6 or 7 opportunities to do it before, but it just never worked out. I knew I was close, I had 19 at the half and I was going to go for it and my teammates really helped me out.”

The record of 37 in a game stood for many years, scored by Joel Maybee and Darren Hooley. Jackson Christian may be a small school but it not only produces great scholars, it has a great athletic program also.

“I had 37 points and then I got fouled shooting a 3,” Blackgrove stated. “I went to the line for 3 free throws and I was really nervous. But I sank all 3 free throws and set the record. I can’t explain how great it feels!”

Drew gives credit to God and the number 1 influence in his life that drives him and encourages him most, his dad Mark Blackgrove. Mark played basketball at Jackson Christian and was a great player also.

“My dad always pushes me, helps me and encourages me to try harder and do better,” Drew explained. “He’s always pushed me in a positive way and I’ve always looked up to him. I also think it’s cool that I scored 40 and that was his number when he played here.”

Drew is the son of Mark and Amy Blackgrove. His older brother Drayton is the entertaining announcer of the Royals basketball games and he has a younger brother Reece who is on the Royals junior varsity team. He also has a  student from Seoul, South Korea that lives with the family throughout the school year attending Jackson Christian, Jae Hoon Pyon, who Drew considers his brother. Rounding out the family is the family dog Wrigley.

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Jackson Christian’s Thomas Miller Sets New Rebound Record

Jackson Christian’s Thomas Miller outjumps everyone for a rebound

It was a big night For Jackson Christian’s big man Thomas Miller. He achieved something he had dreamed of since he started to play roundball at JCS. And he knew it was coming. He could feel it. And with time running out on the road against North Adams Jerome, Thomas leaped above the other players and dragged down the ball breaking the Royals rebound record in a game with 27, breaking Max Walz’s old record.

“The last time out against North Adams I was close to breaking the record,” an elated Miller stated. “So tonight I had a feeling I could do it and was going to try as hard as I could. That was my goal and it feels good to do it.”

Miller, who stands 6 feet 5inches tall, not only rebounds but blocks shots and can score. Against North Adams he put up 18 points to go with his 27 boards. The former record holder Walz gave a shout out to Thomas on twitter for breaking his record. The state all time record is 49 by Jerry Stuart of Perry set in 1970. Miller’s record puts him in the top 30 of the state all time with some good company including former NBA stars Jesse Campbell & Spencer Haywood.

“I was really hoping and trying to break the school record this year, my senior year. I can’t even explain how excited I was to break it,” Miller happily said. “But it’s also weird knowing I broke a school record. I thank my teammates and especially my dad and my girlfriend Katie. They really encouraged me to work hard and to go for it.”

Miller and the Royals  season isn’t even close to being over yet so there is a chance he can get out on the court and break his own record.

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