JACKSON BOYS WATCH VICTORY SLIP AWAY

JACKSON -- What started out looking like a lopsided victory for Jackson High's boys basketball team instead turned into a disappointing defeat for the Indians.

The Indians led visiting Hillsboro by 10 points at halftime but were outscored by 20 in the second half as the Hawks posted a 48-38 win Tuesday night. Both squads are now 7-3.

As might be expected, each head coach had a different perspective on the evening's events.

"It's the worst we've played," said Jackson's Steve Burk. "We weren't ready to play. I didn't think we played well really at any point in the game."

From Hillsboro's Mark Stieghorst: "It was a good comeback. We knew we were a little bit better than we showed in the first half."

James Ryan, a strong 6-foot-5 inside player, led the Hawks with 19 points. Josh Dickemann added 12.

Jackson had only one double-figure scorer as Doug Cary finished with 10 points.

Hillsboro scored three early baskets inside -- but the Hawks had very little offense the rest of the first half. Jackson led 10-6 after the first quarter and increased the margin to 22-9 late in the second period before settling for a 25-15 halftime lead.

In the second half, however, it was all Hillsboro. The Hawks scored the first 11 points of the third quarter and held Jackson scoreless for nearly five minutes.

The Hawks took a 26-25 lead thanks to the 11-point spurt. Jackson briefly regained the lead at 27-26 on a Justin Suedmeyer basket with 3:05 left in the third quarter, but that was the last time the Indians would be ahead.

Daniel McCarthy scored on two straight drives to put the Hawks ahead 30-27. They led 31-28 entering the fourth quarter.

Jackson pulled to within 31-30 early in the final period. The Indians were still hanging around at 33-31 when Hillsboro put on a crushing 10-0 run that made it 43-31 and sealed the victory. Jackson never got closer than eight points again.

"I don't want to take anything away from Hillsboro because they make you look bad," Burk said. "But we didn't defend like we needed to and we didn't get the ball inside like we needed to."

Said Stieghorst, "For the most part, defense has been our strength. And we finally got our offense going in the second half. James (Ryan) has been playing like that for us all year."

Jackson returns to action Friday night when Poplar Bluff visits for a SEMO Conference game.