Leet helps spark Jackson to 79-61 win over Cor Jesu

JACKSON, Mo. -- Jackson's Jenna Leet is the unquestioned leader of the Lady Indians and sometimes she simply puts the team on her back and carries it to victory.

"I've played on this team since I was a freshman," said Leet, "so I kind of have a feel for things and I take that role."

Leet, a six-foot junior versatile enough to play anywhere on the court, poured in 34 points as Jackson rolled over Cor Jesu Academy, a St. Louis area school, 79-61, Saturday afternoon.

"Leet was one word -- spectacular," said Cor Jesu's assistant coach Katie Lewis.

Jackson improved to 3-2, while Cor Jesu, a Class 3A quarterfinalist last season, fell to 2-2.

After a lackluster first quarter in the quick-paced contest, Jackson, hitting only 5-of-15 shots, trailed the Chargers 19-16.

But the Lady Indians put it all together in a sensational second stanza as Leet went on a scoring rampage. She tallied 15 of Jackson's 34 points including three 3-pointers, to help stake the Lady Indians to a 50-35 advantage at the intermission.

One of the treys was a buzzer-beating bank shot from well beyond midcourt as time expired in the first half.

Asked if she had practiced the shot, a smiling Leet said, "No. My Dad always told me to never practice what you wouldn't do in a game, but I guess now I have an excuse to practice those."

A low-scoring third period ended with the Lady Indians up 60-46.

"We've got to have games like that out of her (Leet) and use her leadership to get the other girls into it," said Jackson coach Ron Cook. "We've got to get everybody involved and we did that today. We had a nice team effort."

Eleven of 12 players on the Lady Indian roster contributed to the offensive effort. Jessica Koeper led with eight rebounds; Leet had seven.

Cor Jesu was paced by 13 points each from Jill Brandt and Jessi Rosehill, while Angie Guntli added 12.

Jackson's JV team got balanced scoring to complete the sweep of Cor Jesu 46-32.

Jennifer Ferrell led the Lady Indians with 10 points. Katie Skeitz paced the Chargers with 20 points.