Jackson boys muzzle 'Dogs, for 16th win

For the second straight week Jackson High School's gym was filled to the brim for a boys basketball game.

And while Friday's matchup did not have state poll ramifications or affect district seeding like last week's meeting with Poplar Bluff, the atmosphere was just as electric. This time the home team prevailed, as Jackson defeated Notre Dame 65-45.

It marked the first time Jackson (16-1) coach Darrin Scott faced his former squad, which he coached for four seasons.

Scott said facing his former players was a little difficult.

"You want to see them do well, but at the same time you want to compete and win," he said.

The Bulldogs (8-9) had won six of their last eight games heading into Friday's game, but they were simply outmanned and outgunned. Notre Dame refused to throw in the towel, though, scrapping and clawing throughout the game.

"I think we've outplayed every team we've played," Notre Dame coach Paul Hale said. "I think we play harder than every team we play. We just struggle putting the ball in the hole. If we can learn to score, and it's going to take some offseason work, Notre Dame's going to be back."

Despite falling into a 17-4 hole in the first quarter, Notre Dame's crept back as the second quarter rolled along. By the halftime buzzer, Notre Dame trailed just 27-19.

While pesky play kept Notre Dame close, Jackson used its huge size advantage to maintain its lead. Early in the third quarter when the Bulldogs cut the lead to 33-30, Jackson's 6-foot-8 senior Ryan Mirly scored eighth straight points.

Mirly finished with a game-high 19 points. Jackson also got 7 points from 6-foot-10 Aaron Redecker, who worked through early four trouble and 9 points from forward Kyle Pridemore.

"Mirly, he stepped up big. Especially in the second half," Scott said.

Jackson pulled away in the fourth quarter. Jack Puisis, the Indians' leading scorer on the season, added 18 points.

For the Bulldogs, Alex Ressel finished with 15 points, including 10 in the second half. Jeremy Brinkmeyer added 11 points.

"I thought Alex took it to them in the second half," Hale said.

While the Indians' game against Poplar Bluff drew lines hours in advance, the crowd on Friday was as vocal as ever.

"Our fans have been great. They cheered from beginning to end, and I think our kids get a lot of energy from that," Scott said. "We'd like to have a couple of more big crowds. I think that makes high school basketball fun."

As the waning seconds ticked down the Notre Dame faithful got something to cheer about, as senior Bryce Willen made a brief appearance on the court. Willen, suiting up for the first time this season, has been shooting and dribbling after suffering a serious knee injury during the soccer season. Willen, who was noticeably limping, was Notre Dame's leading scorer last season.