Jackson outmans basketball rival Central

It looked early like records and past performances could be set aside when rivals Cape Central and Jackson tangled Tuesday.

Cape Central controlled the early action to build a 12-2 lead in the first three minutes, but Jackson withstood the Central rush to hand the Tigers a 68-39 defeat in a SEMO Conference matchup at Tiger Field House.

"It's a great rivalry," said Cape Central junior guard Jay Ruark. "We came out pumped up."

But as hot as they were early, the Tigers cooled just as quickly, going almost eight minutes without scoring while the Indians regrouped to take a 24-12 lead midway of the second quarter.

"We just needed a timeout," Jackson senior forward Lance Bollinger said. "We got one, then after that we were ready to play and we took care of business."

Jackson, going inside for easy baskets or fouls, took a 30-17 lead at halftime after outscoring Cape Central 16-5 in the second period.

"We weren't worried," Jackson team captain Seth McDowell said of Central's early burst. "We just had to get over it and come out and play our game."

Bollinger and McDowell shared scoring honors for Jackson with 16 points each.

Second half looks familiar

The second half was more of the same as Jackson continued to roll, outscoring the Tigers 38-22.

The win for the Indians (14-9, 3-4) dropped the Tigers to 4-17 and deeper into the conference cellar at 0-6.

Cape Central was led by Ryan Delph with a game-high 18 points and Anthony Harris with 12.

Jackson sophomore center Tyler McNeely scored 12 and Nathan Brown 11.

McDowell, also a member of the Indians' football team, said he felt the same intensity in both sports about the Central-Jackson rivalry.

"You just can't come out rah-rah in basketball," McDowell said. "You've got to be more calm."

As for getting up for Cape Central? No problem.

"It's Cape," McNeely said. "That's all I've got to say."

Although it was the first meeting of the season for the teams, they could meet again soon at Poplar Bluff. Jackson and Central are in the Class 4A, District 1 tournament that begins Feb. 18.

llewis@semissourian.com

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