JHS GIRLS ANNIHILATE FARMINGTON

JACKSON -- While compiling its 20-2 record, Jackson High's girls basketball team has had its way with some teams. An 82-6 decision against Sikeston a few days ago quickly comes to mind.

But when a Class 4A team with 17 wins is dismissed by the Lady Indians by 42 points ... now that's dy-no-mite.

Jackson hit 11 of 19 3-point attempts and handed the Knightettes their worst loss this season, an 81-39 pummelling at the Multipurpose Building Monday night.

"You've got to be dominating your area schools if you're going to beat teams in the state tournament," said Jackson coach Ron Cook. The Lady Indians, ranked No. 2 in 4A, finished second in the state tournament last season.

Jackson junior Chrissi Glastetter made 6 of 8 3-pointers -- one shy of teammate Dana Eakins' school record -- and had a game-high 20 points. Christa Millham added 13 points and Melissa Palmer had 11 points and seven rebounds as each of the 12 Lady Indians scored.

"I feel like I need to shoot more and that's my part of the team: to make more points," Glastetter said. "Dana Eakins and I know that we need to step up. And the team did a really good job of getting me the ball tonight. I was pretty excited."

Said Cook, "(Chrissi) had a heck of a game. She's a good shooter. She works hard all the time, good attitude, good student -- you can't ask anything more from her."

Jackson made its first six shots from the floor and amassed a 16-2 bulge 2 minutes 15 seconds into the contest. The Lady Indians held a 26-7 first-quarter lead as Farmington (17-7) committed eight of its 20 turnovers in the period.

"Everything was falling for us tonight," said Cook. "We hit outside shots, and when the shots are falling like that, your confidence goes up, and it affects (the opponent's) game. I hope we can come out with the same intensity Thursday night (at Cape Girardeau Central) and keep doing this."

Farmington coach Kia Kamp, whose team lost to Jackson by 14 points earlier this season, summed up her team's demeanor in one word: scared.

"We could have come out less scared than we were," she said. "We were very intimidated; we shouldn't be but we are. Until they start believing they can do it, I don't know what will happen. We're not 40 points worse than Jackson.

"Their press is outstanding. It sure threw us for a loop. We got our head down and we couldn't get it back up."

Jackson led 40-17 at halftime and 58-32 entering the fourth quarter.

"This team can do some good things," Cook said. "As far as chemistry, I think this is one of the better teams I've had. They've got to keep it going."

In the Class 4A, District 1 tournament next week at Tiger Fieldhouse, Jackson will be the No. 2 seed, behind Poplar Bluff. Central is third and Farmington is fourth.