Jackson set to host Kennett to begin 2024

Following a second-place finish in the 2023 Southeast Missourian Christmas Tournament, the Jackson Indians are set to kickoff 2024 hosting the Kennett Indians at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 5, at Jackson High School.

Jackson (8-6) has already played Kennett (4-7) once this year as the two clubs met on Dec. 6 at the SEMO Conference Tournament.

It was Jackson winning that first matchup as the Indians led wire-to-wire on the way to a 66-41 win over Kennett.

In that contest Jackson was led by junior Kole Deck who scored 18 points, including seven of those 18 in the second quarter to ignite Jackson’s offense.

In a recent appearance on the SEMO Scramble on SEMO ESPN, Indians coach Kory Thoma said he knew Deck would have a big impact after seeing him play this summer.

“I saw it this summer when Blayne (Harris) was healthy and they played together,” Thoma said. “I’ve told many people this but Kole is probably a more talented scorer than Blayne. Blayne can shoot it and he’s a really good player, but Kole has that knack and that ability to score the basketball.”

When the ball tips between Kennett and Jackson on Friday, Jackson will surely lean on Deck’s ability to score to come away with a win.

However, Thoma is excited for the eventual return of Harris to see him and Deck play together again.

“It’s going to be nice when we get Blayne back to see how this pans out,” Thoma said. “Kole just gives us another weapon on the court.”

For Kennett, they enter the contest having lost three-straight and six of its last seven.

It won’t be easy for Kennett to knock off Jackson but perhaps the biggest challenge it will face will be rebounding.

Jackson controlled the boards for the entirety of its last meeting and it was a big key in Jackson’s win.