Jackson dealt first loss

~ Vianney slowed down the state-ranked Indians in a 49-46 victory

By SCOTT ROSCOVIUS

Southeast Missourian

Height met might Saturday afternoon at Jackson High School, and might won.

The high-flying Jackson Indians, ranked third in the state in Class 5, hit a speed bump called Vianney and were derailed by the Griffins, 49-46, in a boys basketball thriller.

Jackson (9-1) never could get into an offensive rhythm against the Griffins (7-4), who slowed the game to a snail's pace and prevented the Indians from unleashing their devastating fast-break offense. The result was a punishing half-court game that played right into Vianney's hands.

"We didn't get a lot of transition baskets," Jackson coach Darrin Scott said. "They're big and physical, and they made it tough for us to get things going inside."

Jackson’s Josh Daume passes the ball during the second quarter Saturday in Jackson. (Fred Lynch)

Jackson usually is comfortable playing a half-court game, with a front line that stands 6-foot-8, 6-7 and 6-6. But the trio of Brandon Lueders, Blake Reynolds and Karson King had problems finding room to maneuver inside against the Griffins, who countered Jackson's height advantage with physical play.

"We try to limit what other teams can score [inside]," said Vianney coach Kevin Walsh, who said he challenged his team to be tougher than the Indians inside. "We did a nice job of limiting that. We're not 6-8 or 6-7, but we have some size, and sometimes strength can negate height."

Jackson knew it was in for a fight early, holding a slim 6-5 lead after one period and trailing 20-17 at the half. Scott noted his team left a lot of points on the floor in the first half, hitting on just 6 of 27 shots from the field. Jackson finished 17 of 50 for the game.

"Around the basket, we just have to finish better," Scott said.

Every time the Indians tried to pick up the pace, Vianney had an answer. Consecutive 3-pointers from Vianney's Jordon Hardwick, who scored 12 points, early in the third quarter helped the Griffins to a 28-23 lead.

Then Jackson went on a 10-1 run to open a 33-29 lead late in the period. It marked the biggest lead Jackson enjoyed all day.

"They knocked us out of our game," said Reynolds, who finished with 12 points. "They did a good job of not letting us get out on the fast break. They did a good job of making sure their guards got back on defense."

Jackson point guard Josh Daume admitted Vianney's physicality was a big factor.

"It definitely changed my game and our running game," Daume said.

A layup by Reynolds pulled the Indians within 47-45 with 19.6 seconds remaining. And when Jackson's Calvin Lysell stole the ball from Vianney's J.J. Mandina and drew a foul with 13.7 seconds remaining, the Indians had a chance to tie.

Lysell, after making his first free throw, missed the second. Vianney's Kyle Markway ran down the rebound and was immediately fouled. Markway hit 1 of 2 free throws, and 3-point attempts from Daume and King were off the mark as the final horn sounded.

"We struggled," said King, who led Jackson with 18 points. "We didn't make shots. They have a good team. They took their time on offense, and they definitely put pressure on us and on our guards. It was a hard-fought game, and they ended up on top."

Walsh admitted he didn't want to run up and down the court with the Indians.

"We're not a team that wants to do that," he said. "We want to score 50 points and keep them in the 40's. And we were able to do that today."

Vianney 5 15 14 15 -- 49

Jackson 6 11 18 11 -- 46

VIANNEY (49) -- Tanner Cochran 6, Nolan Snyder 2, J.J. Mandina 12, Nick Miller 1, Jordon Hardwick 12, Kyle Markway 6, Eric Krus 4. FG: 18. FT: 5-8. Total fouls: 15. (3-pointers: Hardwick 3, Mandina 2. Fouled out: none.)

JACKSON (46) -- Josh Daume 5, Calvin Lysell 1, Karson King 18, Connor Shepard 4, Blake Reynolds 12, Brandon Lueders 6. FG: 17. FT: 9-14. Total fouls: 15. (3-pointers: King 2, Daume 1. Fouled out: Lysell.)

JV -- Vianney 42, Jackson 38.