Maybe the only thing tougher than winning a state championshipis successfully defending it the next year.

McComb Parklane Academy head baseball coach Ken Jackson foundout that his Pioneers were ready from day one to repeat asMississippi Private School Association Class AAAA State BaseballChampions for the 2001 season.

In the championship game of a best-of-three series, Parklaneheld off a tough Madison-Ridgeland Academy team for a 3-2 win.Mississippi State University signee Les Dykes broke a 2-2 tie inthe top of the sixth inning with solo home run that gave thePioneers a 3-2 edge and the eventual win.

Parklane beat MRA 3-2 in the opener but lost the second game ofthe Championship series at home by a score of 13-8.

The victory gave the Pioneers their second straight state crownin baseball which set a school record.

Jackson and his Pioneers finished the season with a 32-5worksheet, setting another school record for least losses in aseason by a Parklane baseball team. Last year’s team was animpressive 29-9 on the season.

“It is an honor to be selected two years in a row,” said the37-year-old Jackson. “It has been two great years.

“You work a long time,” Jackson continued. “We’ve had teams thathave been close. We have had teams with the ability but it’s a mindthing. These kids believed that they can win.

“We had a great bunch of guys this year. They played hard. Theplayed with enthusiasm. They had fun. That makes it easier tocoach.”

The Pioneers had the pitching, the hitting and the team play tosucceed as champs this year. “The kids believed they could repeatfrom last year. They believed they could do it. They alwaysbelieved they could win,” Jackson said.

Jackson said this was a very memorable season, winning theirfirst 16 games.

He credited his five seniors for providing a lot of support andleadership. The seniors include Dykes, Joey Lindley, Adam Steele,Landon Wilson and Jeremy Freeman.

“I have five seniors that did a great job,” praised Jackson. “Itwas through their leadership we were able to accomplish what wedid.”

Jackson also acknowledged the contributions made by theunderclassmen as well. “The juniors stepped up and played extremelywell. It was an overall team effort.”

Jackson said he appreciated the support he has from the Parklaneadministration, the students and the fans.

“We got great support from the student body,” Jackson stated.”You have to be proud of what you have done.”

Jackson and his wife Jill have been married for 18 years. Theyhave two daughters, Haley age 13, and Maggie age 11. He teachessenior government.

A native of Pike County, Jackson attended and graduated fromParklane in 1982. He lettered in football, baseball and basketball.His coaches were Larry Kinslow and Dale Watts.

Jackson attended Southwest Community College in Summit for thenext two years,then spent the next two in Hattiesburg at theUniversity of Southern Mississippi. There he earned degrees inathletic administration-education and social studies.

During his tenure at Parklane, he has been named South AcademyCoach of the Year four times and Conference Coach of the Year forthe second time.

Jackson will also be coaching in the State Games in Meridian forthe eighth time.

Jackson likes to spend time with his family and working on thebaseball field in his spare time.