YOUNG JACKSON GOLF TEAM TAKES DEAD AIM

Jackson's golf team may be young, but it has already established itself as one of the best around this year.

Still undefeated, the Indians have posted impressive scores of 152 and 150 as a team so far despite being led by several underclassmen.

Peyton Sims, a sophomore, played a brilliant nine holes on Wednesday. With stout winds swirling around the Cape Country Club, Sims carded an even-par 35 to claim medalist honors in a triangular meet against Cape Central and Clearwater.

"That was real impressive," said Jackson coach Ron Cook. "That was a real windy day. He adjusted, got through the adversity and played well. He also shot under par in a practice round at Kimbeland."

Right behind Sims on Wednesday, Chris Pike shot a 37.

Jackson will be one of several teams to compete in an 18-hole tournament in Poplar Bluff on Monday.

"We haven't played Poplar Bluff and Dexter yet which are the two toughest teams in the area," said Cook. "We'll find out where we're at with them Monday."

Sims is one of several young players on Jackson's team. Nathan Brown -- not to be confused with the Nathan Brown who plays baseball for Jackson -- is a sophomore and Matt Litz is a freshman who is often one of Jackson's top four. Brett McDowell is a junior.

"We've had different people step up at different times," said Cook. "We hope to keep on working so by the end of the year at district time we can play our best golf. I think they're good enough (to make state). This is one of the better teams I've had."

Freeman, Hobeck earn scholarships

Chris Freeman, a starting running back and safety with Jackson's football team this past season, and Spencer Hobeck, a Jackson offensive and defensive lineman, have both accepted football scholarships to play at Missouri Valley College in Marshall.

Freeman, a varsity player since his sophomore year, was a first-team safety on the all-region and all-conference teams. Freeman is the son of Michael and Karen Freeman.

Hobeck, the son of Tina and Mark Hobeck, was all-region and all-district on both offense and defense and was recently chosen to play in the Lions All-Star game.

A new football conference is born

The Jefferson County and Mineral Area Activities Association high school football conferences have merged into the Mississippi Area Football Conference.

The 18-team conference is divided into three divisions the Red Division, the White Division and the Blue Division.

St. Vincent is in with Crystal City, Grandview, St. Pius and Valle in the Red Division.

Fredericktown joins Park Hills Central, Festus, Herculaneum, Potosi and Ste. Genevieve in the White Division; and Perryville will compete with De Soto, Farmington, Hillsboro, North County and Windsor in the Blue Division.

"We've divided it up evenly according to school enrollment size just like the SEMO Conference," said Fredericktown coach Kent Gibbs. "It promotes more fair competition."

Coaching update

Notre Dame athletic director Chris Janet said Friday that the school offered the job of head basketball coach to its a candidate but he declined.

Janet said the process of interviewing will continue and a decision will be made soon. The job was left open when Chris Neff stepped down.

In Jackson, the school board should vote Tuesday on a replacement for Steve Burk, who was coach for 20 years at the school.

Area's Best all-star basketball game

On April 28, Scott City will hold this year's "Area's Best" high school all-star game which will feature the top senior basketball players from the area.

This is the second year for the event, which was a huge success last year.

This year, a girls game is being planned also and will likely take the place of the coaches' game.

The girls game, if it takes place, will tip off at 6 p.m. with the boys to follow.

At halftime of the girls game, there will be a slam dunk contest and a 3-point shooting contest. The girls will have a 3-point contest at halftime of the boys game.