JACKSON GIRLS STAND VICTORY SHORT OF 4A FINAL FOUR

The Jackson Lady Indians, one game away from the Class 4A Final Four, will take on the Vashon Wolverines today in a 3:15 p.m. quarterfinal at the University of Missouri-St. Louis.

Vashon, which plays in the weak Public High League, legitimized its 15-5 record Wednesday with a 36-33 win over highly touted St. Charles (24-4).

"They're similar to University City (which Jackson beat in the sectional round) but I think they have more talent," said Jackson coach Ron Cook. "We've got to get to the boards and we have to stop penetration. If we let them penetrate, we could get into some foul trouble."

Vashon suffered losses this season to Gateway Tech, Warrenton, Silex, Parkway South and Lutheran South. The Wolverines were competitive in most of their losses, but most of their wins were blowout affairs.

Laniya Stevens leads Vashon with 22 points, 11 rebounds and five steals per game. She is shooting 56 percent from the field. Briranda Griffin adds 15 points and eight rebounds per game, but Vashon's statistics may be misleading given the competition.

Cook said Stevens is much like University City's Tiffany Foote -- who scored 22 against Jackson last Wednesday.

Jackson, meanwhile, has played a difficult schedule. The Lady Indians knocked off Poplar Bluff, last year's state runner-up which was ranked as high as No. 1 in the state this year, 46-43, in the district championship game. Jackson, the only Missouri team to defeat Poplar Bluff this year, downed the Lady Mules twice in three games.

The Lady Indians (20-6) then defeated a tough University City team 48-40 Wednesday night in sectionals. Senior Andrea Koeper leads Jackson with 16 points, eight rebounds and three assists per game. Sophomore Jenna Leet adds 14 points and two rebounds while sophomore Whitney Werner scores seven points and grabs four rebounds on average.

Vashon could have a huge following as the Vashon boys will be taking on Christian Brothers College prior to the girls game.

"That will be a big factor; handling the mental pressure," Cook said. "We'll be in foreign territory."

Only Koeper has played on the UMSL floor and that was during her freshman year in the 1997-98 season. Jackson won that game as it made its fourth straight appearance at the 4A Final Four. The Lady Indians have not returned to the semifinals since that time.