Jackson uses big second half to end three-game losing streak

~ The Indians surged to a 56-36 victory over Kelly.

The Jackson boys basketball team survived a lethargic opening half and a spirited Kelly effort through three quarters to end its three-game slide with a 56-36 win at home Tuesday on senior night.

The Indians had not won since knocking off Caruthersville at home on Jan. 27.

Senior point guard Kyle Pridemore sparked the Indians' win with eight third-quarter points, as Jackson recovered from a deficit early in the second half to run away with the game over the final quarter.

"Kyle, he comes out and plays with great intensity," Jackson coach Darrin Scott said.

Jackson led just 20-18 at halftime after trailing twice in the opening half.

Kelly (15-8) opened its biggest lead at 28-24 with four straight points from Spencer Ayers with 3:30 remaining in the third.

The Indians (17-7) answered with a 12-0 run. Pridemore had six points in the run, and junior reserve guard Logan Lawson put the Indians ahead for good at 29-28 with a 3-pointer.

Lawson had just six points in the game, both on 3-pointers, but logged some important minutes off the bench for the Indians.

"He's always ready to do whatever the team asks," Scott said.

Kelly closed to within five points twice within the first 2 minutes of the fourth quarter but was held scoreless over the next 3 minutes as Jackson went on an 11-0 run. The Hawks managed just one point over the final 3:50 of the game.

"For three quarters, I thought we gave everything we had tonight," Kelly coach Cory Johnson said.

The Hawks were coming off a 65-62 win over conference foe East Prairie on Monday in a makeup game postponed from Friday. After outscoring the Eagles by six points in the second half Monday to come from behind, Kelly was outscored 36-18 in the second half against the Indians.

"This is a 5A school, a very well-coached program," Johnson said. "If you give them any opportunity to be in the game, they're going to hurt you. I think they stepped up in the fourth quarter."

Senior guard Ryan Leet led the Indians with 17 points and Pridemore finished with 14.

"The shots he took, I don't think he forced [any]," Scott said of Leet. "He took the 3s when open. Something we want him to do is attack the boards. He has a little size at 6-foot-3."

Despite what appeared to be a significant size advantage down low, Jackson only got seven points combined from 6-11 senior Aaron Redecker and 6-6 sophomore Hunter Grantham. Redecker started strong on the defensive end with three rebounds and three blocked shots in the opening quarter, but he finished with only one point after sitting the majority of the game with foul trouble.

"He never got into a good flow," Scott said of Redecker. "Steven Spradlin came in and played hard, and Hunter Grantham did a good job in the post. Aaron, obviously we need him to step up. Foul trouble has been a problem the past two games."

Brandon Ayers led the Hawks with 12 points and Spencer Ayers had 10.

Jackson will play its season-finale at home Thursday against New Madrid County Central in a makeup of Friday's game.

The Hawks will be back in action Friday at home against Bell City.

Jackson 56, Kelly 36

Kelly 5 13 10 8 -- 36

Jackson 10 10 16 20 -- 56

KELLY (36) -- Brandon Ayers 12, Spencer Ayers 10, Jacob Glastetter 5, Jordan Felter 4, Dallas Tew 3, Zach Hamm 2. FG 14, FT 5-8, F 15 (3-pointers: B. Ayers 2, Glastetter 1. Fouled out: none)

JACKSON (56) -- Ryan Leet 17, Kyle Pridemore 14, Hunter Grantham 6, Logan Lawson 6, Spencer Goodman 5, Jake Leet 5, Luke Clippard 2, Aaron Redecker 1. FG 18, FT 11-17, F 14 (3-pointers: R. Leet 2, Lawson 2, J. Leet 1. Fouled out: none)

JV -- Jackson def. Kelly