Jackson girls preview: Indians take aim at elusive crown in Class 5 district

The Jackson girls basketball program has put up back-to-back 20-win seasons the past two years, just to come up short in the district tournament.

With only one senior lost from last year's squad, which finished 22-4, Jackson should be in line for a successful season.

Jackson coach Sam Sides, who is 45-8 in two years, said he has already talked to his team about playing well in the postseason.

"You always want to play your best at the end," he said, "and we didn't do that [last year]."

Bobbie Jones, a three-year starter, led the team in scoring last season. Jones and Kylie Werner, also a starter last season, are two of the three seniors on this year's roster. Loni Littlepage, Jackson's third senior, likely will miss the season due to an injury.

Sides said he has high expectations for Jones.

"She'll be as good as anyone in the area," Sides said. "Bobbie's strength is she's just so aggressive. She's really as good a defensive players as anyone around here. She's gotten better offensively every year."

Manning the post for the Indians will be 5-foot-10 junior Amanda Peiffer. Peiffer also started last year. Lindsay Poole, a sophomore guard, along with Tara Kelley, Kara Vangilder, Andrea Barnes and Gabrielle Garritano all saw varsity time last year.

"We've got potential, we just have to put it together," Sides said. "And everyone has to do their job."

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JACKSON GIRLS

Coach: Sam Sides, third season

Assistant: Sheila Midgett-Haertling

Last season: 22-4

Conference: SEMO Conference

Returning starters

Kylie Werner 5-8 Sr. F

Bobbie Jones 5-8 Sr. F

Amanda Peiffer 5-10 Jr. C

Rest of roster

Andrea Barnes, 5-6, Jr., G; Kara Vangilder, 5-7, Jr., F; Tara Kelley, 5-5, Jr., G; Lindsay Poole, 5-6, So., G; Gabrielle Garritano, 5-9, Jr., F/C; Loni Littlepage, 5-8, Sr., F; Cody Goodpasture, 5-5, So., G; Ashley Charbonneau, 5-5, Jr., G/F; Kelci Keith, 5-5, So., G

Schedule

Nov. 28-Dec. 2 -- Farmington tourney

Dec. 10 -- at Berkeley, 1 p.m.

Dec. 12 -- Perryville, 6 p.m.

Dec. 20-22 -- Saint Francis Medical Center Holiday Classic

Jan. 2 -- at Poplar Bluff, 6 p.m.

Jan. 9 -- New Madrid, 6 p.m.

Jan. 12 -- at Central, 6 p.m.

Jan. 13 -- at Doniphan, 6 p.m.

Jan. 16 -- Webster Groves (MLK Classic), 11 a.m.

Jan. 19 -- Kennett, 6 p.m.

Jan. 21 -- at Notre Dame Shootout

Jan. 23 -- at Dexter, 6 p.m.

Jan. 26 -- Notre Dame, 6 p.m.

Jan. 27 -- at Nerinx Hall, 6 p.m.

Jan. 28 -- Metropolis, Ill., Shootout

Feb. 2 -- St. Louis Sumner, 6 p.m.

Feb. 6 -- at Sikeston, 6 p.m.

Feb. 11 -- Parkway South, 1 p.m.

Feb. 13 -- Farmington, 6 p.m.

Feb. 17 -- Columbia Hickman, 6 p.m.