HOOVER – Jamal Johnson’s game-high 37 points were not enough to keep Spain Park High School’s boys basketball team from a 57-51 home loss to Ramsay on Tuesday, Jan. 3.

The Jaguars trailed 9-0 before they scored, 26-8 after one quarter of play and by as many as 20 points in the second half of the game.

But a Johnson three-pointer with about 6:15 remaining in the game cut the deficit to 49-40.

Ramsay responded with four consecutive points capped by a Gordee Stewart slam dunk.

SPHS continued to fight, including a strong defensive rebound by Ron Fortson with about one minute left to play and a rebound and putback by Xavier Blanchard on the other end of the floor to make it 55-48.

Johnson drained a three with seconds remaining to bring the game to its final score.

Johnson used the first and third quarters as warm-up periods, scoring five points in each, before going off in the second and third quarters, when he scored 12 points and 15 points, respectively.

He made five from beyond the three-point line and made 12 free throws in 15 attempts.

Spain Park’s next leading scorer, Brooklyn Polk, had five points.

Baniko Harley led Ramsay with 19 points.

The loss drops the Jaguars to 6-11 on the season.

SPHS visits Homewood on Friday, Jan. 6 and plays Starkville (Mississippi) at Pontotoc, Mississippi on Saturday, Jan. 7.

The Jags begin area play by hosting Oak Mountain on Tuesday, Jan. 10.