Jackson's Redecker looms large at Hoopfest

~ The Indians' 6-foot-11 senior center posted big numbers in a 50-45 victory over Lafayette.

Jackson's boys basketball team received a wake-up call in the finals of the Farmington Tournament, falling to Doniphan 47-35.

The Indians showed they belong among the elite teams in the area on Saturday, knocking off Lafayette 50-45 in the Heartland Hoopfest at the Perry Park Center. Jackson improved to 5-1 with the win.

Lafayette, a district winner last year and semifinalist in Class 5 in 2004, fell to 3-2.

"I don't know if they're considered one of the best in the state this year, but they're a good basketball team," Jackson coach Darrin Scott said of Lafayette. "For us, from a tradition standpoint and from a talent standpoint with what they have back, it's a big win for us."

While the Lancers returned several players from last year's district-winning squad, it has been a first-year player generating the most buzz for Lafayette. Tyler Griffey, a 6-foot-8 freshman, has been one of the most talked about prospects out of the St. Louis area and is ranked among the top 10 in his class by several national publications.

Jackson has a talented big man of its own, though, in 6-foot-11 senior Aaron Redecker. Redecker scored a game-high 23 points, including seven-of-eight from the free throw line. Griffey, who played primarily on the perimeter offensively, finished with nine points.

"At this point, I think Aaron won the battle," Scott said. "Tonight Aaron was a dominant force inside the post."

Redecker's performance came a night after scoring a season-high 24 against Dexter. Against Lafayette, Redecker added nine rebounds and four blocks.

"Every day he does something new that surprises me, where he takes another step to becoming a better player," Scott said.

The game on Saturday was tight throughout, with Jackson's largest lead five points. While Redecker provided much of the excitement, including a dunk-follow in the opening quarter off a missed shot and another flush in the third quarter, Jackson's defense was a main component in the victory.

"We didn't force a lot of turnovers, but we pressured them, made it tough for them offensively," Scott said.

Ryan Leet was Jackson's only other player in double figures with 11 points. Cartez Parker led Lafayette with 16 points.

Jackson 50, Lafayette 45

Lafayette 15 9 11 10 -- 45

Jackson 15 10 13 12 -- 50

LAFAYETTE (45) -- Mark Fitzgerald 2, Nathan Hall 1, Mark Buckley 6, Kyle Meyer 2, Kevin Fessler 1, Tyler Griffey 9, Cartez Parker 16, T.J. Shaffer 8. FG 17, FT 8-14, F 13 (3-pointers: Griffey 1, Parker 2. Fouled out: none)

JACKSON (50) -- Aaron Redecker 23, Ryan Leet 11, Hunter Grantham 4, Drue McNeely 4, Jake Leet 4, Kyle Pridemore 4. FG 20, FT 9-12, F 13 (3-pointers: R. Leet 1. Fouled out: none)

Notre Dame's defense stifling in victory

While most of the eight games at the Heartland Hoopfest were competitive, Notre Dame provided the biggest margin of victory with a 79-45 rout of Du Quoin.

The Bulldogs improved to 4-0 with the win, thanks in large part to a press that forced numerous turnovers.

Notre Dame will host SEMO Conference foes New Madrid County Central and Sikeston on Tuesday and Friday, respectively. The Bulldogs did not win a conference game last year despite making it to the state final four in Class 4.

Notre Dame will also host Fredericktown on Dec. 20 in a make-up game.

"We're proud to be 4-0," Notre Dame coach Paul Hale said. "We have three straight home games against good teams. That's good, we want to bring in some good teams and see what we've got, what it takes to be a good team."

Vashon comes up big in showcase game

The showcase game, pitting St. Louis power Vashon against Arlington High School of Indianapolis, Ind., lived up to the billing in a thrilling 71-66 Vashon win.

Both teams were nationally ranked last year, with Vashon falling a game short of an undefeated season after losing to Poplar Bluff in the Class 5 state championship game. Arlington looked like the more dominant team in the early going, leading by 10 after one quarter and 15 at halftime.

Vashon outscored Arlington 23-10 in the third quarter to close to within 48-46. Vashon tied the score at 60-60 with two minutes remaining, and thanks to some big free throws from senior guard James Washington, the Wolverines pulled the game out down the stretch.

Leon Powell, a 6-7 junior and NCAA Division I prospect, led Vashon with 26 points.

While the game certainly lived up to the hype, it was the game involving Charleston and Red Bud (Ill.) that provided the only buzzer-beater of the tournament.

After the Blue Jays had a shot rim out at the buzzer in regulation, Red Bud's Aaron Deterding corralled an air ball and scored at the buzzer in the first overtime for a 64-62 win.

Saxony rally falls short

* Saxony Lutheran lost to St. Pius 62-54 after falling 64-61 to the Lancers in the inaugural event last year. This year, Saxony rallied from as many as 18 points down before bowing; last year, the Crusaders led nearly the entire game before falling at the end.

St. Vincent notches first win

St. Vincent gained its first win of the year Saturday morning by beating Oak Ridge 60-47. The Indians had become the last area team to begin their season when they played Friday night against Kelly. St. Vincent's schedule was structured differently to avoid duplicating last year's slow start, when the eventual Class 2 runner-up opened its season within days after several of its players participated in the Class 1 state championship football game.

Next year's lineup taking shape

With the second Heartland Hoopfest in the books, plans for the third version were already taking shape.

The third Heartland Hoopfest will take place Dec. 16, 2006, at the Perry Park Center. Six matchups have already been set and 14 teams committed.

Matchups for the 2006 Heartland Hoopfest will include: Perryville vs. Ste. Genevieve, Central vs. Du Quoin, St. Vincent vs. Notre Dame, Webster Groves vs. Charleston, Saxony Lutheran vs. Chester (Ill.) and Bell City vs. Scott County Central.

Jackson and Vashon are also planning to return, but neither team has a set opponent. Lafayette and Arlington both want to come back, according to tournament director Brian Roth.

Roth said he was pleased with the crowds on Saturday and hopes the tournament will continue to grow in stature.

"We're trying to create our own identity with the Hoopfest," he said. "We want something people will talk about from one year to the next and look forward to it come December."