JACKSON GIRLS FACE U-CITY IN SECTIONAL

JACKSON, Mo. -- The Jackson Lady Indians know they can beat University City.

Because on Jan. 12, they did.

If Jackson (19-6) can duplicate that 75-63 performance tonight (8:15 p.m. tip-off) at the Civic Center in Farmington, the Lady Indians will be one game away from the Final Four.

But U. City will be no pushover. Any team that is 21-6 and has knocked off St. Joseph's Academy and Nerinx Hall in consecutive games is not a team to be taken lightly.

"They've got a good team," said Jackson coach Ron Cook. "They've got four pretty good players, but their bench is not real strong."

Having said that, though, trying to press the Lions is not an option.

"We won't press them," Cook said. "We tried that twice last time we played them and both times they got easy baskets off us. Our problem is getting back on defense because they're so quick."

What Jackson will need to do, Cook said, is keep U. City off the boards and get back on defense.

"They remind you a lot of Poplar Bluff how they attack the boards," said Cook.

Jackson, meanwhile is coming off an impressive win over Poplar Bluff, which was ranked as high as first in the state poll this year. The Lady Indians, though the top seed, pulled off the upset over the Lady Mules, 46-43, in the championship game of the Class 4A, District 1 tournament.

University City entered its district as the third seed and knocked off St. Joe 54-49 in the semifinals and then disposed of Nerinx Hall -- which defeated Jackson earlier this year -- 53-42.

University City has three players averaging double figures.

Tiffany Foote is averaging 15.1 points per game, Brittney Hourd is averaging 13.5 and B.J. Bebrida gets 11.8. Hourd also averages 11.5 rebounds per game.

Jackson is led in scoring by Andrea Koeper (17 ppg), but lately while Koeper was recovering from illness sophomore Jenna Leet has been carrying the team offensively. Leet scored 18 points against Poplar Bluff and 22 points against Farmington in the district semifinals. She's averaging 16.2 points during nine games in the month of February and has scored at least 10 points in 10 straight games.