Everett’s Jamyrin Jackson puts up a driving shot against Kalamazoo Central’s Jeremiah Richard Monday, March 14, 2016, at Mason High School. Everett won 56-49.

MASON – As the celebration took place on the court around him Wednesday night, Jamyrin Jackson found himself in an emotional moment.

It wasn’t because he and the Everett boys basketball team had just knocked off previously unbeaten and No. 3-ranked East Lansing for a regional title.

Jackson was just missing seeing his late grandmother Erma Green in the stands.

“She always came to my games, and just her not being here has just kind of messed me up emotionally,” Jackson said.

While his grandmother may no longer be in the stands, she has been a driving force for Jackson during a postseason run for the Vikings that will continue against Hudsonville in next week’s Class A quarterfinal at Eastern’s Don Johnson Fieldhouse.

Jackson, who was voted the LSJ prep athlete of the week, has scored at least 20 points in four of Everett’s five state tournament games. That included a 21-point performance where he had 11 of those points in the final quarter of Wednesday’s 54-48 victory.

“My grandma passed during the regular season and ever since that day, my mindset was I play for her,” said Jackson, who is averaging 20.8 points in the state tournament. “I take that to my heart. Every time I come on the court, I look up to the sky and I do it for her.”

Jackson’s presence has been vital all season for Everett and it has gone as he goes. But he has done even more in the playoffs to help the Vikings capture district and regional titles after an up and down 10-10 regular season.

“It starts with Jamyrin and his ability to shoot the ball,” Everett coach Desmond Ferguson said. “He’s got an uncanny knack to knock down shots. He’s done that for the last couple of years, so obviously this year he gives us experience and a senior leader who has been there and done that and can help lead our team.”

Lansing State Journal prep athlete of the week

Contact Brian Calloway at bcalloway@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @brian_calloway.