Playing with pain

Jackson basketball players and coaches hit the court on Nov. 1 for the start of practice with a mix of excitement and emotion.

The Jackson program is coming off a 22-5 season in which the varsity team had its highest win total since 1993 and reached the district final before bowing to Class 5 state champion Poplar Bluff .

Successful seasons for the junior varsity and freshman squads fueled high hopes for 2004-05.

Some of the excitement for this season was tempered by the death in September of returning senior starter Jason Schafer, who died from injuries suffered in a one-car accident.

"There's not an easy way to deal with it, I don't think," first-year Jackson coach Darrin Scott said. "We did a lot of stuff that week as a team."

While memories of their fallen friend and teammate still linger, the team plugs away learning new plays and a new system. Scott replaced Mike Kiehne, whose departure in the spring led to some tense moments between the former coach's supporters and the Jackson school board members.

The Indians will get an indication how they've handled the rough offseason on Nov. 29 with the Farmington Tournament.

"I think everyone's gotten it out of their system and is starting to focus on the season," senior guard Jack Puisis said.

For a team with a large group of returning seniors, putting the tragedy behind them is not all that easy. For Puisis, Jackson's lone returning starter who was a close friend of Schafer's, that especially is true.

"Me and Jason played eighth and ninth grade together, on AAU teams, so for me this a hard time," Puisis said. "But I want to give it my all for his family and for him."

The team has planned several tributes to honor Schafer. Before the start of Jackson's varsity home opener Dec. 14, the Indians will retire Schafer's jersey. T-shirts with Schafer's number on the back will be sold prior to the game with the proceeds benefiting the Jason Schafer Memorial. Jackson players also will wear black bands on their jerseys.

The night will likely be an emotional night for the team, just as stepping on the court without Schafer that first time likely will.

"I've noticed the first everything they do is the toughest," Scott said. "The first everything they realize he's not there is the toughest."

The tragedy has brought the team closer while adding motivation to succeed.

"I've seen some of the seniors, their attitude and the mental part of their game has stepped up after that happened," Scott said. "I think it was important for them to have a good senior season, but now I sense an added importance."

Added Puisis: "We know in our hearts he's with us always."

Whether the Indians can match last season's success is yet to be seen, but what is clear is the players have learned a lot about themselves.

"It puts everything in perspective," Scott said. "All the little things you think can be important you realize aren't important."