ROCKWOOD CRUMBLES AT JACKSON

Trash was talked, elbows were swung, blood gushed, profanities were muttered and a technical foul was assessed.

Other than that, the game at Jackson High School on Friday was pretty bland.

While the Rockwood Summit Falcons ran their mouths, the Indians ran away with the game, winning 61-41 in just their second home game this season and improving to 8-3.

Abysmal 23 percent first-half shooting by Rockwood Summit allowed Jackson to gain a 20-10 first-quarter lead, and the Indians led 34-21 at halftime.

Frustration set in for the visitors, which led to the above mentioned -- most of the forbidden elements performed by Rockwood Summit, with a fair dose of physical play by the Indians.

"We hadn't really played this physical a team yet," said Jackson center Jeff Walter, who finished with 15 points and was in the middle of some of the aggressive play as the smaller Falcons became flustered when he posted up. "I think we did a good job of keeping our heads and staying focused on what we needed to do. We just didn't retaliate and kept playing hard."

Rockwood Summit coach Randal Lyday had an explanation for his team's dreadful shooting -- and it had nothing to do with good looks at the basket or a patient offense, which his team didn't have.

"This game was absolutely ridiculous as far as elbows being thrown and the officiating," Lyday said. "It started with them, and our kids just got into that type of game. It was a very poor job of being controlled. You shoot poorly when you get hacked on everything that starts to go up.

"Every game we play is physical, but this was beyond physical."

As might be expected, Jackson coach Steve Burk saw a different game.

"I hope I learned years ago that to comment on the officiating really doesn't help anyone," Burk said. "I thought the officials were OK. Both teams play with the same officials.

"I don't know if it got out of control," he said. "It was a physical game; it was hard fought. We tried to get the ball inside and they tried to keep us from getting the ball inside. People were banging on the boards -- but that's basketball. I thought our kids kept their composure pretty well."

Jackson's Doug Carey, a 5-foot-11 junior, hit five 3-pointers and scored a game-high 17 points. Justin Keen added 11 points.

"Carey hit some nice 3s," Burk said. "At times I thought we did a very good job on both ends. We played OK."

Rockwood Summit (3-7), which is a 4-year-old school in St. Louis County near Fenton, was led by Travis Lyday's 11 points. Gary Anthony added 10.