JACKSON GIRLS WIN DISTRICT CROWN

FARMINGTON, Mo. -- Watch out.

The Jackson Lady Indians just might be on to something.

Despite their No. 1 seed, Jackson (19-6) pulled off an upset Thursday, knocking off No. 2 Poplar Bluff (23-3), the second-ranked team in the state, 46-43 to claim the Class 4A, District 1 championship at the Farmington Civic Center.

The Lady Indians will return to the Civic Center Wednesday for an 8:15 p.m. game with the winner of District 2.

What was more surprising than Jackson's win was how the Lady Indians did it. Jackson won despite all-stater Andrea Koeper scoring just four points.

"I wouldn't have thought that," admitted Jackson coach Ron Cook. "But here again, the team had to get used to playing without her when she got sick and we had girls come off the bench and step up."

"Everybody just stepped up," said Koeper, who is still gaining strength after a stint with mononucleosis. "I personally didn't have a good game, but it was a team effort. The kids came off the bench and gave everything they had."

Sophomore Jenna Leet continued her recent dominance, scoring 18 points for Jackson, hitting several tough shots. Leet was the only Jackson player in double figures, but several Lady Indians hit pivotal shots in the second half.

Though the game came down to the final possession, Jackson was in control for most of the game before Poplar Bluff went to a fullcourt press late and got back in it.

The Lady Indians' largest lead of the game was 40-26 with 4:51 left in the game.

Then the feisty Lady Mules went to the press which flustered Jackson. Even after two consecutive timeouts in one situation, Jackson still turned the ball over on a five-second call just trying to pass the ball in.

Jackson turned the ball over six times in the final five minutes and took advantage of some offensive rebounds to pull within 46-40 with :28.8 left.

Leet then missed the front end of a one-and-one and all-stater Ashley Williams nailed a three with 11.8 left to pull Poplar Bluff to 46-43.

Jackson then turned the ball over one last time -- on a jump ball -- and Williams, who scored 12 points in the fourth quarter, got a good look from near the top of the key with two seconds left, but her shot rimmed off.

"We hung on," said Cook. "We didn't deserve to lose that game after playing so well for three quarters. Poplar Bluff just turned it up a notch and weren't giving us that half step that they were giving us for most of the game."

"They have a really good press," said Leet. "But I knew we had it the whole time. I wasn't worried."

When asked if he regretted not going to the press earlier, Poplar Bluff coach Kirk Chronister said "No, I'm not second-guessing anything."

Ronna Cook and Whitney Werner combined for four consecutive free throws in the final minute to keep Poplar Bluff at bay.

Other than the final five minutes, Jackson was steady for the entire game. Poplar Bluff, though, couldn't get anything to fall. The Lady Indians played tough defense, but the Lady Mules missed several easy baskets, especially in the first half. Poplar Bluff shot only 29 percent from the field (16 of 56).

Jackson led 13-7 after the first quarter and 22-15 at halftime.

* In the boys' final, Farmington defeated Poplar Bluff 60-46.