SIKESTON -- Jackson coach Steve Burk's last game was intense as he is.

In a classic back-and-fourth battle, the Indians came up two free throws short as second-seeded Sikeston edged No. 4 Jackson 55-53 in the Class 4A, District 1 championship game at Sikeston Field House Thursday night.

Jackson point guard Levi Bollinger, the best free-throw shooter in the SEMO Conference, missed the front end of a one-and-one opportunity with 2.6 seconds left.

Sikeston's Andre Morgan grabbed a tipped rebound and Sikeston celebrated its second straight district championship.

The game was tied at 53 for the last 1:59 of the game.

After two missed shots by Jackson (15-13), Sikeston (16-10) got the ball with about a minute left.

The Bulldogs dwindled the clock down to about 12 seconds then Tony Jones drove the left side of the lane and banked in a 15-foot leaner with :09 left for the game winner.

Bollinger got the ball quickly to half court where he was fouled.

"Their last two baskets were tough shots," said Jackson coach Steve Burk of Jones' shot and of Johnny Adams' shot with 1:59 left which hit every square inch of the rim. "But that's basketball.

"We played as hard as we could play. I'm proud of these kids."

Jackson built up a couple of 10-point leads which included its 31-21 advantage at halftime.

"Jackson did as good of a job in the first half as any team we played all year," said Sikeston coach Gregg Holifield. "I told the kids at halftime we had our hands full.

"Their defense was outstanding."

The Indians led 43-33 at the 2:57 mark of the third quarter and held a 46-39 advantage going into the fourth quarter.

"We'd make a run, then Jackson came right back with a tough basket," Holifield said.

Sikeston jumped right back into the ball game to start the fourth quarter, going on a 9-0 run and taking a 48-46 lead at the 5:06 mark.

Jones and Adams hit two quick shots to get things rolling. Then Morgan fed the momentum by going on a personal 8-2 run which included two 3-pointers.

Jackson was in complete control in the first half, working its offense to near perfection and making wise decisions in the open court.

The Indians took a 14-12 lead into the first quarter then opened the second quarter with a 16-5 run.

The game was the last for Burk, who recently announced his retirement then saw his team go on a four-game winning streak.

After the game, Holifield expressed his admiration for Jackson's 20-year coach.

"He's as good as anyone around," said Holifield. "We have a tremendous amount of respect for him. He's a super coach."

As for Burk, his Indians made tremendous improvements down the season's stretch run.

"We started to understand how to play the game," he said. "We got wiser and started recognizing what we could do and couldn't do."