Jackson tops Central

Jackson's boys basketball team dominated the post Tuesday night at Central High School and came away with a 58-45 win in the team's second meeting this season.

Jackson post players Tyler McNeely and Jason Schafer combined for 18 of Jackson's 32 points in the first half. Most of those points came off second chances with the Indians grabbing 16 offensive rebounds by halftime.

"They didn't have Scott Chestnutt or Mitch Craft, so they were thin inside," Schafer said of Central.

The teams had fought back and forth during the Christmas tournament final won by Jackson (19-4), but Tuesday's game looked like it would be a lopsided affair at the start. Jackson led 16-4 late in the first and had the lead up to 28-11 midway through the second quarter.

Jackson coach Mike Kiehne said his team's strong rebounding edge helped them to jump ahead.

"Even though we were missing shots early it didn't show because we were making stick backs," he said.

Central (16-5) cut the lead to 11 late in the second period and trailed 32-19 at halftime. The Tigers picked up the intensity in the second half and fought Jackson basket for basket. Central cut the lead to 50-41 with 2 minutes remaining, but the Tigers came no closer.

While the Indians maintained a double-digit lead through most of the game, Kiehne said he did not feel the lead was safe.

"The whole game I never really thought we had it in control," he said.

McNeely led Jackson with 16 points, and Schafer and Jack Puisis had 14 apiece. Jackson will go for its 20th win on Friday when it hosts New Madrid County Central.

"We've still got goals to play for," Kiehne said.

Ryan Delph led Central with 18 points, and Jake Knepp had 16.

"As depleted as we are I still felt like we played with a lot of heart and character," Central coach Derek McCord said.