Jackson knocks Central out of playoffs

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Jenna Leet scored 19 points as Jackson advanced to the Class 4A, District 1 Tournament finals with a 59-43 victory Wednesday night over Cape Girardeau Central.

Jackson (18-8), the second seed, will face Poplar Bluff (23-3) in the championship game at 6 p.m. Friday. The top-seeded Mules demolished No. 4 seed Farmington 68-27 in the other semifinal.

Jackson defeated Central (16-9) two weeks ago in triple overtime, but eliminated the suspense a little earlier this time.

Jackson used a 15-4 run in the first half in taking a 21-10 lead midway through the second quarter and led 27-17 at halftime.

Central cut the lead to 27-24 midway through the third quarter on a Sarah Hyslop basket, but Leet answered with a 3-pointer that started a 14-2 run. Jackson took a 41-26 lead into the fourth quarter.

Whitney Werner added 10 points for Jackson.

Hyslop led all Tigers scorers with 12 points while Megan McDonald and Alex Wieser each added 10.

St. Vincent 43, Scott City 34

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- Nichole Hadler had 11 points and Caitlin Hoeh and Chelsey Brown had 10 each as St. Vincent won by nine points.

Loren Groves had 15 for Scott City.

--From staff reports