Lady Indians' season ends in Class 6 quarterfinals

HILLSBORO — It was poetically symbolic that Jackson's last field goal attempt of the season would also be senior Kate Waller's career.

The Indians' season came to an end in a 54-38 defeat against Eureka in the Class 6 quarterfinal game on Saturday, March 12 at Jefferson College in Hillsboro, Mo.

"It's nice to know that she had the opportunity to take that shot," Jackson head coach Adam Stoneking said. "We're so proud of her as a coaching staff on all the hard work she's put in over the last four years."

Waller scored eight points in her final game. remembers her as a pure scorer who was destined to rack up 1,000 career points by the time it was all said and done.

"Some kids are born to score," Stoneking said. "Katie's a scorer. I've always said you can put her on a boys' team and figure out a way to score."

Jackson sophomore Camryn Alsdorf led the team with 11 points, scoring all of her points in the first and third quarters.

"She took a huge step forward from last year," Stoneking said. "At times last year, that was kind of the player we wanted, she is now what we needed to be, but she's been that all year. She's fearless, she's not afraid to go with somebody, she's so tenacious defensively, maybe the best help defender I've ever coached. She's got a bright future."

The Indians led the Wildcats 14-5 in the first quarter after making three baskets from behind the three-point line. The Wildcats returned the favor with three 3-pointers and a 15-3 quarter and take a 20-17 lead at halftime.

The Wildcats had three players score 10 points or more and ran away with the win by riding the charity stripe through the fourth quarter, making 10-of-12 from the free-throw line.

"We knew coming in, they could score here," Stoneking said. "They got four kids that are basically average in double-figures. You put any of those four on most teams and they're the best, and that's super tough."

The Indians made seven shots from the arch, one more than the Wildcats but only had seven shots from the free-throw line, which isn't enough to catch up.

Jackson saw five seniors play their final games. Stoneking referred to the departing class as, "Five really good kids that you would be proud of if they were your daughter."

"In my 17 years as a coach and I've been an assistant on a team that won the state champion like this is, this is the most fun, I've had coaching a team," he said. "Our focus was on basketball all year. We never dealt with things that had nothing to do with basketball. It was always that focus and every day they came in with a great attitude, and you can't ask for more."