Jackson tops rival Central four 4th time

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- The fourth meeting between rivals Central and Jackson failed to live up to expectations, as a late Tiger rally could not save them from a 21-point fourth-quarter deficit in a 72-61 Indian win in the Class 5 District 1 boys basketball semifinals Tuesday at Peters Gym.

After the last meeting between the two squads was decided by a last-second tip-in by Jackson's Aaron Redecker, Tuesday night's affair lacked the typical drama between the rivals. Jackson led 12-4 after one quarter of play and saw its lead grow to double digits for most of the second and third quarters.

"To be honest, I thought they would play us tougher than that," Jackson coach Darrin Scott said.

Jackson will face defending state champion Poplar Bluff, the top seed, at 7:30 p.m. Thursday.

Playing in front of a half-full gym, Jackson (23-3) methodically hit shots, took advantage of its size advantage and simply outplayed the Tigers (12-15).

"We stuck to the game plan," Jackson senior Tyler Beussink said. "We got it inside early, which helped [Ryan] Mirly get kick-started, and then we got the outside shot going."

Mirly had six quick points in the opening quarter, and the Indians also got 3-pointers from Beussink and Jack Puisis. By halftime Mirly was up to 10 points and Puisis had 12.

Central had a woeful start from the field, managing just two Alex Ray baskets in the opening quarter. The Tigers showed some signs of life in the second but still trailed 31-20 at the half.

"We dug ourselves in too much of a hole the first quarter, and it was hard to overcome," Central coach Derek McCord said.

Jackson kept its lead in double figures throughout the third quarter and was able to go up by as many as 21 points early in the fourth. Jackson was up 60-40 a little less than midway through the fourth when it started to ease up.

Central was able to cut the lead to 62-53 with 1:53 remaining. A steal and a hoop by Eli Harris got the lead down to 62-55 on Jackson's next possession, but the Tigers would not get any closer.

"I really liked the way we battled down the stretch," McCord said.

The Indians were able to hold on to the lead by going 10-for-10 from the free-throw line over the final 1:15. Puisis hit six free throws and Beussink hit four.

"The big thing is, we got it to who we wanted to get it to down the stretch," Scott said.

Puisis led the Indians in scoring with 21 points, Beussink added 20 and Mirly had 12. Beussink finished with four 3-pointers.

Ray finished with 16 points for the Tigers, Harris had 14 and Darnell Wilks added 12. Central finished 0-for-11 from 3-point range.

"The difference in the game tonight was shooting the basketball," McCord said.

After finishing up a four-game season sweep of rival Central, Jackson will now have to find a way to get by the defending Class 5 state champion Mules. Poplar Bluff easily cruised into the finals with a 78-33 win over Farmington which featured plenty of show-stopping dunks from North Carolina recruit Tyler Hansbrough and his brother Ben Hansbrough.

Beussink said the key to winning on Thursday is coming in with confidence.

"We've got a game plan for them just like we did for Central," Beussink said. "It's going to be a tough test, but if you go into a game knowing you can win, or believing you can win, it's anyone's ball game."

Added Scott: "We use the quote a lot, 'If you enter a war without the will to win it, the results are not good.'"

Despite wading through an injury-riddled season, the Tigers managed to go 5-4 in the SEMO conference. Central returns three starters and much of its core.

"Eli Harris and Alex Ray leave big shoes to fill, and it's going to be exciting to see someone step up and fill the void," McCord said.

Box

Jackson 12 19 20 21 -- 72

Central 4 16 15 26 -- 61

JACKSON (72) -- Jack Puisis 21, Tyler Beussink, 20, Ryan Mirly 16, Aaron Redecker 8, Adam Ross 2, Kyle Pridemore 2, Eric Poythress 2. FG: 23, FT: 20-27, Fouls: 16 (3-pointers: Beussink 4, Puisis 2. Fouled out: Redecker.)

CENTRAL (61) -- Alex Ray 16, Eli Harris 14, Darnell Wilks 12, Anthony Hempstead 6, David Deisher 2, Garrett Ozbun 5, Jajuan Bell 2, Gabe Edwards 2. FG: 25, FT: 11-18, Fouls: 22 (3-pointers: none. Foul out: Ray.)