Clayton Ernst, Jackson eyeing strong finish to home stand

A mainstay for the Jackson Indians over the past three seasons has been Clayton Ernst, and in Ernst’s senior season that remains the same.

Ernst brings a combination of skill, steadiness and composure when on the floor and has been key for the Indians so far this season.

“He’s a natural leader,” Indians coach Kory Thoma said. “He does all of the little things and that leads our team.”

Ernst feels a lot of his success comes from the experience he has playing at the varsity level.

“I feel like I’ve been playing for so long on varsity and it’s helped me a lot,” Ernst said. “Also the guys have a lot of good chemistry and we play together well.”

Jackson junior Blayne Harris said he loves playing with Ernst.

“We’ve been playing together ever since we were little,” Harris said. “He’s so dominant. He’s big, he’s tall, he can finish and he has a pretty shot.”

As the Indians prepare for a matchup with Miller Career Academy on Friday, they’re being sure to always stay focused in the gym.

“We just have to keep getting better every day,” Ernst said. “Just all of the basics is all we need to go far.”

With a win Friday, the Indians can make it three wins in their last four games before wrapping up a five-game home stand on Tuesday, Jan. 31 against Charleston.

“We just have to take it one game at a time,” Thoma said. “We have a really talented Miller Career team coming in Friday and then Charleston on Tuesday.

After the home stand concludes on Tuesday, Jackson will hit the road for three straight games traveling to Oakville, Marquette and New Madrid County Central.

Jackson (13-5) will be back in action at home at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 27 when the Indians host Miller Career Academy.