Jackson senior Nasir Powell made a promise to his coach.

“I told him we were going to get him to Birmingham,” he said. “I didn’t lie to him.”

Indeed.

Powell scored the go-ahead basket with 55 seconds as the top-ranked Aggies rallied from eight points down entering the fourth quarter to knock off No. 8 Escambia County 37-35 and win the Class 4A South Regional at Garrett Coliseum in Birmingham.

“I think we wanted it,” Jackson coach Anthony Hayes said. “We talked at halftime. We weren’t playing the best we could play, but we believed. This group of guys wanted it. First time in 40 years for us.”

The Aggies last made the state semifinals in 1985 before the current regional format even existed. They return next week and will play either New Hope or DAR at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday. Those two teams will decide the Northeast Regional title on Thursday.

“I’m happy for the Aggies tonight,” Hayes said.

Jackson beat rival Escambia County for the fourth time this season. The Aggies won the last two meetings each by 18 points, but this one was much tougher. Behind 6-foot-9 Stephen Williams, Escambia County built a 29-21 lead after three quarters and led 31-24 with five minutes remaining.

Williams finished with 16 points, 13 rebounds and 8 blocks.

“They went to a zone and slowed us down a little bit,” Hayes said. “We like to get up-tempo and run. At the end of the day, it’s about winning the ball game, though.”

Jackson (28-2) turned the game around with a 12-2 run. Landon Duckworth tied the score at 33-33 before Powell’s putback gave his team the lead for good. He made one of two free throws with 39.2 seconds left for a three-point lead at 36-33.

“He’s been doing that,” Hayes said. “He’s been a quiet leader the whole season, but I promise you we talked, and he said, ‘When the lights come on, I’ll step up,’ and that’s what he did in the area tournament, through the sub-regional and now at the regional tournament.”

After William Taylor hit a free throw to bump the lead to 37-33, Williams’ layup cut the deficit to two with 8.9 seconds left. Taylor missed two free throws with 5.8 left, but Escambia’s desperation shot wasn’t close.

“It’s special for us,” Hayes said. “It’s special for the community. It’s special for the school. It’s special for everyone. This time of the year? Everyone playing basketball? Final four? And Jackson is in it.”

Powell finished with 14 points and 6 rebounds. Taylor had 9 points, 4 rebounds, 3 steals and 2 assists. Cleo Bolar Jr. had 14 points, 8 rebounds and 3 steals for the Blue Devils (17-10).

By the numbers: The score was tied seven times and the lead changed six times. Both teams hit 14 field goals and two 3-pointers. Escambia was 5-of-7 from the foul line, while Jackson connected on just 7-of-21.