Jackson teams will award opponents' sportsmanship

One of the priorities of the Missouri State High School Activities Association is to promote sportsmanship among its member schools.

Jackson has taken that priority to heart, creating the Pride of the Tribe award this year to acknowledge sportsmanship in opposing teams. At the conclusion of every sports season, each Indians varsity athletic team picks an opponent using the criteria of sportsmanship among its players, fans and coaches.

A plaque is then presented to each team chosen.

"It's something nice, when you display the plaque it's not just recognizing your athletic ability, it's a community thing," Jackson athletic director Kevin Bohnert said.

Jackson was the only area school to attend the MSHSAA Sportsmanship Summit on Aug. 4 in Columbia, Mo. The summit encouraged schools to be active regarding sportsmanship and citizenship.

Bohnert said the school wanted to find its own way to recognize sportsmanship beyond just individuals and feels the Pride of the Tribe award is a good way to do that.

"It's been received in a very positive note," he said.

Tiger Shootout

Southeast Missourian Christmas Tournament finalists Notre Dame and Jackson will be on display Saturday at the annual Tiger Shootout at Central High School.

Saxony Lutheran (8-2) will kick off the four-game showcase against Fredericktown at noon.

Notre Dame (12-1), the Christmas Tournament champions, will play MICDS at 3 p.m. MICDS (4-4) is led by Mustafa Abul-Hamid, who averages 20 points a game. No other player on MICDS is averaging more than six points.

Notre Dame is led by seniors Frankie Ellis, Xavier Delph and Alex Ressel. Ellis and Delph are the catalysts of the Bulldogs' stifling press, while Ressel is the team's most consistent scorer from his post position.

Jackson (12-2) will take on St. Louis area school Berkley at 1:30. Berkley (6-3) has four players averaging in double figures in scoring, but will be at a size disadvantage with no player taller than 6-foot-3.

The Indians are led by 6-11 senior Aaron Redecker and 6-6 sophomore Hunter Grantham. Both post players are capable of putting up big numbers on the offensive end.

The host Tigers dropped two straight at the Christmas Tournament and will look to get back on track against Parkway South in the final game of the day at 4:30. Parkway South (6-1) is led by 6-5 Mario Scott, who averages 14.6 points a game.

Central (6-5) had won six of seven games before losing to Notre Dame and Kelly at the Show Me Center. The Tigers are led by junior Darnell Wilks and senior David Deisher.