Jackson beats Eureka to earn first trip to final four since 1934

HILLSBORO - The world looks a lot different than it did in 1934.

On Friday night at Jefferson College the Jackson Indians earned their first trip to the final four since 1934 with a 40-36 win over the Eureka Wildcats.

In what was a defensive battle the Indians were able to prevail victoriously.

Jackson coach Kory Thoma said they knew going in that it would be a defensive game.

“They played a lot of games in the 30s this year,” Thoma said. “(Eureka) is very physical and very well coached. Our defense was spot on tonight and we stayed connected.”

Jackson jumped out to an 8-7 lead after the first and took a 20-15 lead into the locker room at halftime.

“We were happy with our first half effort,” Jackson’s Judd Thoma said. “We had motivation in the second half because we knew we could be even better.”

Jackson was able to gain momentum by slicing through the Eureka defense, earning trips to the free-throw line.

“We talked about (getting to the rim) every day,” Judd Thoma said. “We just really executed getting to the line and attacking the rim.”

The second half proved to be a lot of the same as Jackson stayed sound defensively holding the Wildcats to just 5 points in the third quarter to lead 28-20 entering the fourth quarter.

The fourth quarter began with a 6-1 burst by the Wildcats to cut the lead to 29-26.

The 6-1 burst was short-lived as Jackson was able to regain control with 4 quick points to take a 7-point lead.

“I mean it was tough,” Kory Thoma said. “I was trying to save my timeouts for late and I ended up using them all. We knew it was going to get tight. I have a very mature team and they took care of the ball tonight.”

The Indians were able to put away the game at the free-throw line to win 40-36.

Leading the way for Jackson was Judd Thoma with 14 points in the win. Also contributing was Clayton Ernst with 9 points, Blayne Harris with 8 points, Kaed Winborne with 5 points and Cole Deck and Braedon Thoma had 2 points.

Coach Thoma had high praise for the way his nephew, Judd, played in the win.

“He balled out,” Thoma said. “I’m super proud of him. He didn’t play as well the last two games but he stepped up and had a hell of a game tonight.”

Jackson (21-9) advances to the Class 6 Final Four to take on Staley at 10 a.m. on Friday, March 17 on the campus of Missouri State in Springfield.