Jackson caps rivalry with district title win

Jackson's girls basketball team took a 2-1 edge in its season series with Central by winning the one that counted the most Friday.

The top-seeded Indians' press and free-throw shooting proved too much for the No. 3 Tigers as Jackson won 45-32 for the championship of the Class 5, District 1 tournament.

Both teams started sluggish on offense with each team scoring three field goals apiece in the first quarter. Jackson (19-8) went up five early to start the second quarter but led Central (15-11) by only three going into halftime.

Jackson intensified its defensive pressure to start the second half. The Indians also hit the boards, creating several easy baskets and free-throw chances.

"We came prepared," Jackson coach Ron Cook said. "We're not a real strong team physically, but we muscled up tonight."

Jackson advances to play either Gateway Tech or Rosati Kain -- which play today -- at the FarmingtonCivic Center in a sectional gameWednesday.

With the Tigers' offense slowed to a halt, the Indians went on a 9-2 run through the first seven minutes of the third quarter, culminating in a Jenna Leet 3-pointer that put the Indians up 10.

After ending the third -- and Jackson's run -- with a Megan McDonald 3-pointer, the Tigers mounted a charge of their own. Central pulled to within two points two minutes into the fourth quarter on an Alex Wieser 3-pointer and an Anna Brisso jumper. Just as the Tigers were gaining momentum, Jackson guard Ashley Bartels hit a 3-pointer to put the Indians back up five.

Bartels finished with 15 points.

"I was open and I had to shoot it," Bartels said of her 3-point shot. "That really got our momentum going."

Jackson's press forced a Tiger turnover on the following possession, and the Indians didn't look back from there. The Indians iced the game from the free- throw line, hitting 13 of 16 free throws. Leet was 6 of 10 from the line down the stretch.

"That's just kind of luck of the draw," Central coach Sheila Midgett said of the free throws. "If they make their free throws, it just puts them even further ahead."

Cook said free throws are a strength of this team.

"We're a good free-throw shooting team," he said. "That's one thing we've had the last three or four years, a good free-throw shooting team."

Central was led by Wieser, who scored 13 points, nine of which came in the fourth quarter.

"Ashley Bartels did a real good job with Alex," Cook said.

While Leet led the Indians with 16 points, it was Bartels' 15 points that was the difference.

"I had more confidence," Bartels said. "It's either this game or no more games this year."

Bartels did much of her damage from the free throw line, going 10 for 11.

"Coach said to practice like it's the district championships," Bartels said of her free-throw shooting. "So it was kind of routine for me."

jjoffray@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 171