Jackson girls basketball team reaches district title game with 62-36 rout

The Jackson girls basketball team allowed just four points in each of the first two quarters against Seckman, cruising to a 62-36 win on their home floor in the Class 5 District 1 semifinals Tuesday night.

The top-seeded Indians built a 19-2 lead to start the game.

"I was extremely pleased," Jackson coach Tyler Abernathy said. "I thought we came out and we played really intense early on. We moved the ball. We took good shots. Defensively, I thought we did a great job early on setting the tone, not allowing them to get into their offense. We just kind of made them dribble a little more than I think they wanted to, so I was extremely pleased with how the girls came out and played."

Although Jackson forced five turnovers in its dominant first half, most of its defensive success was the result of guarding Seckman for extended possessions.

"No. 5 is a good guard," Abernathy said, talking about Seckman's Kori Farmer. "She dribbles it well, but sometimes she didn't have anybody to pass to so she just dribbled around forever it seemed like."

Jackson (18-6) shot 56 percent (23 of 41) from the field despite making just 3 of 10 shot attempts in the fourth quarter.

"When we take good shots, we tend to shoot a pretty good percentage," Abernathy said. "I thought early on we moved the ball. We made the extra pass, we took good shots. Then when you make a few shots, if you get a few more shots that are questionable, they tend to go in because you've got a little more confidence."

Senior Dru Haertling led the Indians with 21 points despite having the flu. Danielle Daume added 16 points, including four 3-pointers.

Seckman 4 4 15 13 -- 36

Jackson 21 11 20 10 -- 62

SECKMAN (36) -- Texas Crowe 11, Kori Farmer 4, Becca Buehler 2, Sam Kramer 2, Abby Hayden 9, Shelby Stuckmeyer 6, Kelsey Kramer 2. FG 14, FT 5-7, F 12. (3-pointers: Hayden 3. Fouled out: none)

JACKSON (62) -- Dru Haertling 21, Rachel Hodo 5, Connor King 12, Danielle Daume 16, Megan Williams 2, Allison Halter 6. FG 23, FT 7-10, F 9. (3-pointers: Haertling 3, Hodo 1, Daume 4, Halter 1. Fouled out: none)