Indians race past Cor Jesu for 4-1 start

Jackson honored longtime girls basketball coach Ron Cook before Saturday's game against Cor Jesu at home.

Then the Indians players put on a show of their own blowing open a low-scoring game in the second half en route to a 68-33 win.

First-year head coach and longtime assistant Sam Sides said Saturday's win was Jackson's strongest game this season.

"We played well together," he said. "We played hard and we made good decisions."

Both teams turned up the defensive pressure right from the opening tip. Jackson (4-1) was able to break the Chargers' press more often than not and turned its press breaks into several easy baskets.

While the defenses kept the pressure up both offenses had their share of struggles in the opening quarter finishing with Jackson up 16-12. After the Chargers (4-2) had closed the lead to 21-18 and 23-20 the Indians made their move.

With the help of a 9-2 run, Jackson pulled ahead 32-22 at halfime. Jackson kept the momentum going in the third quarter, outscoring Cor Jesu 17-6 in the quarter to put the game out of reach.

Jackson spread out the scoring with six different scorers in the third quarter and 10 for the game. Jennifer Ferrell led the charge with 13 points, including three of Jackson's six three-pointers.

"We can shoot the ball from the outside, and we don't have to rely on one person to shoot the three," Sides said.

While the Indians' shooting heated up in the second half, so did their defense. Cor Jesu scored only 11 second-half points and was limited to just three free throw attempts. Of the Chargers' 22 first-half points, 10 came from the line, including a 7-for-7 performance from Jill Brandt who led Cor Jesu with 13 points.

"We did a better job of keeping them off the line in the second half," Sides said.

After a quiet first half, Jackson's top scorer, Ashley Bartels, scored eight second-half points to finish with 12. Bobbie Jones added 11 for Jackson.

Cor Jesu 12 10 6 5 -- 33

Jackson 16 16 17 19 -- 68

COR JESU (33) -- Jill Brandt 13, Katie Steitz 5, Jessi Rosehill 4, Audrey Lampe 5, Laura Westerheide 2, Rachel Plassmeyer 4. FG 10, FT 12-14, F 13 (3-pointers: Steitz 1. Fouled out: none)

JACKSON (68) -- Jennifer Ferrell 13, Ashley Bartels 12, Bobbie Jones 11, Kate Loos 8, Kylie Werner 7, Abigail Weinrich 5, Kelly Loos 2, Maria Oehl 4, Linden Hahs 4, Jamie Ball 2. FG 28, FT 5-12, F 16 (3-pointers: Ferrell 3, Loos 2, Werner 1. Fouled out: none)