Jackson stands tall with win over Dexter

~ The Indians took advantage of their height advantage in a 76-57 victory.

Taking advantage of a big size advantage -- Jackson's boys basketball team has just three players on its 13-man varsity team shorter than 6-foot-2 while Dexter had just two players 6-2 or taller -- the Indians posted a 76-57 victory against the Bearcats at home on Friday.

Jackson went to 6-11 senior Aaron Redecker right from the start for Jackson's first six points. Redecker finished with a season-high 24 points, as Jackson improved to 5-1.

"That was the main thing to get it into me as soon as possible," Redecker said.

Jackson coach Darrin Scott said Redecker's huge height advantage Friday did not change the game plan.

"Not just because they had a post player that was 6-3, that's our game plan from now on," Scott said. "When we come up the floor, we want to make someone guard Aaron."

Redecker had to earn his 24 points, as the referees called a loose game despite a combined 41 fouls between the two teams. After missing his first free-throw attempt in the opening quarter, Redecker finished by making 12 straight, including an 8-for-8 performance in the fourth quarter.

"He shoots the ball well, but I was really pleased to see him shoot 12 in a row for his confidence," Scott said, "and for people to see if you foul him, he'll make his free throws."

Jackson imposed its will on the Bearcats early, jumping to a 24-10 lead after one quarter. Dexter stayed in the game by beating the Indians on the glass in the second quarter, mostly with Redecker on the bench with two fouls.

By halftime, Jackson's lead had shrunk to 36-27, as Dexter post player Drew Satterfield led all scorers at the break with 10 points.

"That first quarter I felt pretty good about our intensity, our effort and our movement offensively," Scott said. "The big thing the first half we gave them too many offensive rebounds and they beat us to loose balls. That changes a lot, just counting offensive rebounds and loose balls, that's a 10-point swing.

"We'd have had a 20-point lead and that changes the complexion of the second half."

Dexter continued to stay with the Indians in the third quarter, but six straight points to start the fourth gave Jackson a comfortable cushion it did not lose.

Drue McNeely added 11 points for the Indians, as 10 Jackson players got in the scoring column.

Redecker added seven rebounds and five blocks. In the fourth quarter, Redecker played more than 4 minutes with four fouls before going to the bench for the final 2 minutes.

"I just try not to jump on the shot and realize I'm tall enough I can just stand there" Redecker said of his shot-blocking.

Jackson will face Lafayette, a Class 5 school from St. Louis County, 7 p.m. tonight in the Heartland Hoopfest at the Perry Park Center.

Eric Rinehart and Satterfield had 16 points apiece for Dexter.

Jackson 76, Dexter 57

Dexter 10 17 13 17 -- 57

Jackson 24 12 15 26 -- 76

DEXTER (57) -- Eric Rinehart 16, Drew Satterfield 16, Aaron Jackson 7, Andrew Stuever 6, Eric Windham 4, Derrik Chamberlain 3, Logan Swindle 3, Cole Smith 2. FG 23, FT 8-16, F 24 (3-pointers: Windham 1, Swindle 1. Fouled out: none)

JACKSON (76) -- Aaron Redecker 24, Drue McNeely 11, Trey Stone 8, Kyle Pridemore 7, Hunter Grantham 6, Spencer Goodman 6, Jake Leet 6, Ryan Leet 4, Josh LaForest 2, Logan Lawson 2. FG 26, FT 23-28, F 17 (3-pointers: McNeely 1. Fouled out: none)

JV -- Jackson 57, Dexter 29