Basketball: Hayti’s Al Jackson Classic serves as a lasting tribute

HAYTI — The Hayti School District will serve as host of the Al Jackson Classic girls basketball tournament beginning Monday.

This is a seven-team tournament, with Portageville earning the No. 1 seed and first-round bye.

Jackson was a longtime fixture in Hayti who passed away on Nov. 11, 2018, aged 71.

The late Al Jackson, a native of Hayti, was a font of knowledge when it came to Hayti and Missouri high school sports. Jackson also served as president of the Pemiscot County Historical Society and was on Hayti�s parks and recreation board for many years.(Submitted photo from the Pemiscot Press)

“Al was completely dedicated to the Hayti Indians, and was the school’s devoted statistician for many years in all sports,” wrote The Pemiscot Press in a story dated Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2018.

Jackson was known as a walking encyclopedia of Hayti and Missouri high school sports facts. His devotion to Hayti was “unparalleled.”

There were scores of thoughts and appreciation expressed on Facebook at the time of his death. Jackson has been missed, but his memory is eternal.

Jackson was a proud veteran of the United States Navy and reserves for 19 years, and he worked for the school district doing “a bit of everything.”

A devoted member of the community as well, Jackson was president of the Pemiscot County Historical Society and member of the town’s parks and recreation board for years.

He was married to wife, LaDonna, and had two children, sons Shawn and Derek.

Hayti head girls basketball coach Jordon James reported admission will be like normal: $4 for adults and $3 for students per day.

Hayti defeated Campbell for the title in 2021 while the Camels topped Portageville, 52-49, in the 2022 championship game.

The first round games have been set.

Fourth-seeded Armorel, a school near Blytheville, Ark., will play No. 5 South Pemiscot in the opener at 4:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 27.

Senath-Hornersville has been given the No. 3 seed, and the Lions will square off against host Hayti at 6 p.m., the same day.

Greenville defeated Hayti, 50-34, Tuesday night in the Indians’ season opener.

The nightcap pits No. 2 Campbell versus seventh-seeded Caruthersville.

Al Jackson Classic

At Hayti

Monday, Nov. 27

First-Round Games

4:30 p.m., No. 4 Armorel (Ark.) vs. No. 5 South Pemiscot

6 p.m., No. 3 Senath-Hornersville vs. No. 6 Hayti

7:30 p.m., No. 2 Campbell vs. No. 7 Caruthersville

Tuesday, Nov. 28

4:30 p.m., Consolation bracket game

6 p.m., No. 1 Portageville vs. Armorel or South Pemiscot

7:30 p.m., Championship bracket semifinal No. 2

Wednesday, Nov. 29

5:30 p.m., Consolation bracket semifinals, two games

Thursday, Nov. 30

5:30 p.m., Third-place game

7 p.m., Championship game