INDIANS STOP SIKESTON FOR 10TH STRAIGHT WIN

JACKSON -- On a night when Jackson High's offense struggled overall, it was up to the Indians' defense -- and Jeff Walter -- to pave the way for a 10th consecutive victory.

The Indians used an 11-0 burst spanning the end of the third quarter and the start of the final period as they knocked off visiting Sikeston 46-34 in a SEMO Conference basketball game Tuesday night.

Jackson, the area's hottest team, improved to 15-3 overall and 3-0 in SEMO Conference play. Sikeston fell to 5-10, 0-2 in the league.

Walter, Jackson's powerful 6-foot-5 senior, was a major force inside -- as is usually the case -- with 22 points and 14 rebounds. No other Jackson player scored more than seven points.

"Jeff really hurt them on the offensive boards," said Jackson coach Steve Burk. "They did a good job of doubling him, but he was able to get the ball off the boards in the second half.

"He's really having a good season. It seems like he gets better every game."

Walter, who is being actively recruited by junior-college powerhouse Three Rivers Community College along with some other schools, scored 17 points in the second half, including 11 in a decisive fourth quarter that saw the Indians outscore the Bulldogs 19-8.

"Some people might say this was an ugly win. Both teams had trouble shooting," said Burk. "But I thought we played great defense. We bothered them defensively and we got on the boards.

"We just struggled offensively. We didn't shoot the ball well but we were getting a lot of good shots. But it's a good conference and district win. We'll take it any time."

Sikeston was paced by 6-5 sophomore Brian Ellitt's 13 points.

"We didn't shoot well and we had too many turnovers," said Sikeston coach Fred Johnson. "Defensively we worked hard. I really can't say much bad because the effort was there."

Sikeston led 5-2 early, but Walter's inside basket midway through the first period put Jackson ahead 6-5, then four straight points from Justin Keen made it 10-5. A Keen 3-pointer put the Indians on top 13-7 after one quarter.

Jackson scored just four points in the second period as Sikeston pulled to within 17-15 at halftime.

The Bulldogs finally took their first lead since early in the game when 6-4 Brandon Barnes dunked to put Sikeston ahead 26-25 with 4:30 left in the third quarter.

But the Bulldogs then went scoreless for the game's next eight minutes spanning the end of the third quarter and the beginning of the final period.

Walter's basket near the end of the third quarter gave the Indians a 27-26 lead heading into the final period.

Walter scored five quick points to start the fourth quarter, then Justin Suedmeyer got a steal and layup and Walter scored again to complete an overall 11-0 run that gave Jackson a comfortable 36-26 lead. They cruised home from there.

Of his team's 10-game winning streak, Burk said, "We're obviously playing better than we were a month ago. We need to continue to improve and continue to stay hungry. But I'm happy with where we're at right now."

The Indians will play host to Perryville Friday night.