JACKSON GIRLS WIN DISTRICT WITH OT THRILLER 49-45

FARMINGTON -- In advancing to the Class 4A Final Four each of the past two seasons, Jackson High's girls basketball team has been in plenty of tough, gut-wrenching games.

That experience was probably the main reason why Jackson was able to survive Thursday night's Class 4A, District 1 Tournament championship contest against Poplar Bluff.

The Lady Indians, seeded first in the district and ranked second in the state, were on the verge of elimination, trailing the second-seeded Lady Mules by 10 points with under six minutes left in the fourth quarter.

But Jackson staged a furious rally to send the game into overtime and the Lady Indians went on to claim a 49-45 victory at the Farmington Civic Center.

Jackson, which beat Poplar Bluff three times this season, will carry a 24-2 record into Wednesday night's Class 4A sectional game, also at the Farmington Civic Center. The Lady Indians' opponent has not yet been determined.

Poplar Bluff, ranked second in the state, finished another outstanding season with a 21-4 record.

"It didn't look good for us for a long time," said a relieved Jackson coach Ron Cook. "I guess you need some games like this.

"Poplar Bluff has an outstanding team and it seems like every time we play them it's a great game. We've been in a lot of tough games over the last few seasons and that probably helped us tonight. The girls came through in a lot of pressure situations."

Junior Christa Millham led the Lady Indians offensively with 18 points while her older sister, Michele, added 14 points. Senior Mindy Myers followed with 10 and senior Shannon Perry had eight as four players did all the Jackson scoring.

The Lady Indians said that, although they were a bit concerned being down by 10 points in the late going, they remained confident.

"We just kept together," said Michele Millham, a two-time all-stater. "We have a lot of confidence in each other. This group has been in a lot of really tough games the last two years."

Said Christa Millham, "We didn't look at the score, we just knew what we had to do. Everybody believed in each other."

Added Perry, "It was a tough game. But even when we got behind by 10 points, we had a lot of confidence in each other. We stayed calm."

Poplar Bluff was led by sophomore Amy Hendricks with 14 points. Also in double figures were Tonya Hill (12) and Holly Teague (10).

"We had a chance," said Poplar Bluff coach Kirk Chronister. "We had a good lead but I think we got to playing a little too cautious. Jackson has a fine team and we wish them the best."

Jackson led 11-6 after one quarter -- thanks to nine points from Christa Millham -- but Poplar Bluff rallied for a 16-16 halftime tie.

The Lady Indians went ahead 24-21 in the third quarter before the Lady Mules began to take control. They used an 8-0 run to go up 29-24 and led 34-29 entering the final period.

Poplar Bluff hit Jackson with a 6-1 run to start the fourth quarter. Hill's basket inside with 5:36 left gave the Lady Indians a 40-30 lead and Jackson appeared to be in serious trouble.

But the Lady Indians didn't finish second in the state last year -- and third the previous season -- for nothing. They stormed back.

A quick 5-0 run pulled Jackson to within 40-35. It was 41-35 when Christa Millham nailed a 3-pointer to make it 41-38 with 2:58 left.

After Poplar Bluff's Shuntae Johnson missed two free throws, Myers drained a 3-pointer at the 1:38 mark and all of a sudden the game was tied, 41-41.

Poplar Bluff missed a shot, Jackson rebounded and the Lady Indians ran more than a minute off the clock before calling a timeout with 19 seconds left.

Christa Millham then had a chance to win the game in regulation as she was fouled on a drive with 4.1 seconds left. But she missed the front end of a one-and-one. Poplar Bluff misfired on a 35-foot desperation shot so it was on to a four-minute extra period.

Jackson took control of that from the start. Perry's basket inside gave the Lady Indians a 43-41 lead and they would not trail again.

After two Poplar Bluff turnovers, Michelle Millham hit one of two free throws and Christa Millham made two foul shots to put Jackson ahead 46-41 with under two minutes remaining.

The Lady Indians hit only one of their next five free throws -- Jackson was just 14 of 29 at the line for the game -- to leave the door open and the Lady Mules almost got through.

Poplar Bluff came within 47-45 on Johnson's basket with 28 seconds left. Then, with just 4.5 seconds remaining, Teague was fouled but she missed the front end of a one-and-one.

Jackson then iced the victory when Perry made two free throws with 1.5 seconds to play.

"It's always tough to beat Poplar Bluff," said Cook. "We feel fortunate to be moving on."