Charleston proves too tough for Jackson boys

~ The Bluejays exacted revenge for an early season loss

What a difference a couple of months make.

The Jackson boys basketball team had little trouble with Charleston in the early season SEMO Conference tournament, building a 16-point lead after three quarters and easing to a nine-point win.

But the Bluejays perhaps have improved more than any squad in Southeast Missouri over the course of the campaign, which the Indians found out Friday night.

This time it was Charleston that built a big second-half advantage and the visiting Bluejays held on for a 76-69 victory.

Jackson's John Meyer takes a shot over Charleston's Claude Armstrong during the first quarter Friday. (Kristin Eberts)

Charleston, the state's eighth-ranked Class 3 squad, improved to 14-5 with its fifth straight win. Jackson fell to 13-8.

"They have improved a lot," Jackson senior forward Bobby Clark said. "They came out and jumped on us."

Jackson coach Darrin Scott knew the Indians were facing a big challenge despite their earlier victory over Charleston.

"They're playing really well," said Scott, who celebrated a birthday Friday. "We want to beat good teams. We're not satisfied."

Both teams put up strong offensive numbers. Jackson shot 64.6 percent from the field (31 of 48) and Charleston 55.6 percent (30 of 54).

BOTTOM: Jackson's Brad Clary takes a shot as Charleston's Ryan Parham defends during the first quarter. (TOP: Jackson's Zach McDowell goes up for a shot during the second quarter Friday.)

The Bluejays made seven 3-pointers compared to three for the Indians. And Charleston had a decent advantage from the free-throw line -- 9 of 14 compared to 4 of 4 for Jackson.

But the key statistic was turnovers. Jackson committed 20 turnovers -- 17 through three quarters -- while Charleston had 12 turnovers.

"We got out in the passing lanes and got turnovers," Charleston junior guard Greg Tucker said.

Charleston coach Danny Farmer said the Bluejays' pressure defense is vital to their success because they give up so much size every game, especially Friday.

Charleston's tallest player is the 6-foot-2 Tucker. Jackson started four players 6-3 or taller, led by the 6-5 Clark and 6-8 junior center John Meyer.

Jackson's Brad Clary takes a shot as Charleston's Ryan Parham defends during the first quarter of a game on Friday, Feb. 4, 2011, in Jackson. (Kristin Eberts)

"We try to keep the game at a certain speed," Farmer said. "Jackson is big and strong. They're a very good team.

"When we make them work, our job is done on defense. We just don't want to give up the quick basket."

When the Indians were able to break Charleston's pressure, they often got easy buckets. Clark and Meyer both scored 22 points, most from within a few feet.

"The way they guard, they've got great ball pressure," Scott said. "If you can move the ball, you can get good shots. The question is if you can get the ball where it needs to be."

Jackson limited its turnovers to three in the fourth quarter, when the Indians cut what was a 15-point third-period deficit to four points three times. Jackson hit 9 of 12 fourth-quarter field goals.

"We went through a stretch where we played with confidence on offense," Scott said.

The Indians' final four-point deficit came on senior forward Zach McDowell's basket that made it 70-66.

Jackson then came up with a turnover but turned over the ball itself, which led to a fast-break layup by senior guard Jerry Carter with 1 minute, 15 seconds left.

After a Jackson miss, sophomore guard Ryan Parham hit both ends of a 1-and-1 free-throw opportunity with 29 seconds remaining for a 74-66 lead.

Junior guard Caleb Newcomer's 3-pointer with 17 seconds left pulled Jackson within 74-69, but the Bluejays made 2 of 4 free throws to ice the victory.

"We started making some turnovers in the fourth quarter. That's how they got back in it," Tucker said. "But overall it was a good win. I feel like we're playing real good."

Tucker, who is drawing recruiting interest from several Division I programs including Southeast Missouri State, scored 21 points.

Carter followed with 19 points. Parham had 15.

"Tucker has been a really good player all along, but Carter has improved the most," Scott said.

Jackson scored the game's first six points but the first 10 minutes were extremely tight, with four lead changes and three ties. The Indians were ahead 21-18 after one quarter.

A 12-0 run by Charleston midway through the second quarter wiped out a 25-22 Jackson lead and put the Bluejays in control at 34-25.

Tucker's fadeaway 3-pointer from about 23 feet at the halftime buzzer sent Charleston to the break up 45-34.

Charleston went ahead by 15 points in the third quarter four times. Jackson pulled within 59-50 entering the final period and made things interesting before coming up a bit short.

"We started coming back late but it wasn't enough," Clark said.

Charleston 18 27 14 17 -- 76

Jackson 21 13 16 19 -- 69

CHARLESTON (76) -- Aaron Cassell 4, Ryan Parham 15, Michael Hull 4, Greg Tucker 21, Claude Armstrong 5, Jerry Carter 19, Krushon Scott 8. FG 30, FT 9-14, F 8. (3-pointers: Parham 1, Hull 1, Tucker 2, Carter 3. Fouled out: none)

JACKSON (69) -- Caleb Newcomer 5, Law Duncan 2, Tyler Rhodes 6, Zach McDowell 8, Bobby Clark 22, Brad Clary 4, John Meyer 22. FG 31, FT 4-4, F 14. (3-pointers: Newcomer 1, Rhodes 2. Fouled out: none)

JV -- Charleston won 59-46