Jackson girls basketball team crushes Farmington

The Jackson High School girls basketball team had hit a rough patch after a sizzling start to its season.

Jackson took out its frustrations Friday on a rebuilding Farmington squad that the Indians dominated for the third time this year.

The Indians led wire to wire and romped to a 49-25 victory on Senior Night.

"It's good to get a big win," Jackson senior forward Connor King said.

Jackson, which started the season 11-1, improved to 13-6 by winning for just the second time in its past seven games.

"We've played some good teams the past few weeks," said Jackson coach Tyler Abernathy, whose squad beat Farmington by 25 and 22 points during tournaments early in the season. "I thought we played well tonight.

"We came out with great energy. We passed the ball well and took good shots. When we take good shots, we're a good team."

King and Jackson senior guard Dru Haertling, who have both signed to play at Southeast Missouri State, had strong performances with Redhawks coach Ty Margenthaler looking on.

King scored 14 points and controlled the inside, while Haertling led the Indians with 16 points and dished out numerous assists.

Haertling fed King for a few baskets and she also dazzled with a couple of no-look passes that resulted in layups.

"Dru and Connor were phenomenal," Abernathy said. "They really had a good combination going."

Haertling said the Indians focused on getting the ball inside to the 6-foot-2 King as the starting point of their offense.

"We really wanted to get Connor the ball and work inside-out," Haertling said. "I was proud of the way all the girls played. We worked really hard."

Jackson's defense held the young Farmington team to just nine points in the first half.

"Defense has been a big emphasis of coach Abernathy," King said. "Everybody did their job."

The Indians led just 5-4 late in the first quarter but ended the period with seven consecutive points, the last five coming from Haertling. Her 3-pointer made it 12-4.

Jackson outscored Farmington 13-5 in the second period. The Indians ended the quarter on a 6-0 run, with junior forward Megan Williams' follow shot at the buzzer sending Jackson to the break ahead 25-9.

"I think we moved the ball extremely well," King said. "We rebounded well. We got open shots and we made them."

Haertling and King combined for all 15 of Jackson's points in the third quarter to put the game out of reach.

Haertling scored nine points and King had six in a period that ended with the Indians on top 40-16. Farmington got no closer than 20 points in the fourth quarter.

"I thought we played well," Haertling said.

Farmington 4 5 7 9 -- 25

Jackson 12 13 15 9 -- 49

FARMINGTON (25) -- Shania Sweeney 2, Caitlyn Friend 2, Jessica Hicks 7, Sara Pinkley 2, Jordan Martin 2, Kourtney Knox 1, Rachel Williams 7, Nash 2. FG 9, FT 6-13, F 8. (3-pointers: Williams 1. Fouled out: none)

JACKSON (49) -- Dru Haertling 16, Emily Davidson 2, Connor King 14, Danielle Daume 7, Megan Williams 6, Melanie Dockins 1, Allie Halter 3. FG 21, FT 3-6, F 16. (3-pointers: Haertling 2, Daume 1, Halter 1. Fouled out: none)

JV -- Jackson won 53-52 (2 OT)