4A SECTIONAL DOUBLEHEADER: JACKSON BOYS FACE TALL TASK IN 27-1 LAFAYETTE

Jackson High boys basketball coach Steve Burk isn't asking his team to do anything more than it can when the Indians face state and nationally-ranked Lafayette tonight at 8:15 in the Farmington Civic Center in a Class 4A Sectional.

"We don't have to play better then we can play, but we'll have to play better than we have," said Burk. "We'll need a very good game."

Indeed.

Lafayette (27-1) is the No. 1 team in the St. Louis area, ranked No. 4 in the state and is currently 22nd nationally according to USA Today. The Lancers' only loss this season was at state-ranked Jefferson City in late January, a week after beating local squads Charleston and Poplar Bluff on the road. Lafayette beat Hillsboro 72-40 for the district title Friday.

The Indians, who have relied on their interior size and strength for most of the season to post a 21-5 record, likely won't be able to do that against the Lancers. Lafayette features seven players at least 6-feet-4 inches tall, including 6-11 Scotland transfer Robert Archibald.

"We haven't played anybody as big as they are," Burk said. "The closest team we've faced as far as ability would be Evansville (Ind.) Memorial. They weren't near as big, but they were very balanced and had one really good kid."

Jackson lost 72-65 in overtime to the Indiana school early in December. Lafayette appears just as balanced with loads more athletic ability.

"We've been blessed with some very good athletes the last two years," said Lafayette coach Dave Porter. "Our defense and rebounding have been outstanding, we've got several capable scorers and also great depth."

Seniors Scott Brewster (6-5) and Terry Laney (5-11) lead the Lancers' offense, averaging nearly 14 points a game. Archibald averages close to 10 points a game.

The Lancers usually rotate nine quality players into every game. Porter, who is a former coach at Poplar Bluff, has two sets of twins that come off his bench. Corey (6-6) and Ryan Howard (6-4) and 6-4 Rodney and Ronald Lewis.

Said Porter: "When we make that first substitution, we usually don't get any smaller."

Jackson, featuring four players 6-5 or taller, still hopes to rely on the inside play of 6-5 senior Jeff Walter and get improved performances from its guards.

"We still plan to do a lot of the same things we have," Burk said. "We'll try to take the ball inside and if they collapse we'll shoot the three."

Walter, averaging 16.5 points and nine rebounds, leads the Indians in both categories. Cory Daniel, a 6-6 junior, adds 8.5 points and seven rebounds a game. Senior Justin Keen (6-5) leads Jackson's perimeter game, averaging 12.5 points a game. Doug Cary and Levi Bollinger average eight and seven points, respectively.

Considering the trouble Jackson has had with pressure defense, point production won't be a major priority for the Indian guards.

"Our guards will have to take care of the ball," said Burk. "They don't have to score, but they will have to take care of it.

"Lafayette likes to pressure. Even with their size their guards get after it pretty quick."

Jackson and Lafayette share three common opponents on the season. Both have beaten Poplar Bluff and St. Louis University High. Lafayette beat Charleston while the Indians fell to the Blue Jays.

"Poplar Bluff played them close (two points) and we beat Bluff by 33," said Burk of the Indians' Jan. 9 blasting of the Mules in Poplar Bluff. "But I don't know how much comparing scores means."