SENIOR LADY INDIANS POINT THE WAY; JACKSON'S EAKINS, MILLHAM FIND STATE AGAIN

By automobile, the 3-hour trip to Columbia from Jackson can be quite a haul.

Getting to Columbia for the MSHSAA Show-Me Showdown over the course of a high school basketball season might even be considered a more difficult task.

But for Jackson seniors Christa Millham and Dana Eakins, making their third trip to the Hearnes Center for the state championships, there's nothing to the journey to Columbia.

"I usually sleep on the bus, but I could get there," Eakins said when asked if she knows the route to Columbia.

Considering the success of the Jackson girls basketball program since Eakins and Millham entered the high school in 1994, it appears the Lady Indians could make it to the state championships in their sleep. Including Friday morning's 9:15 semifinal clash with No. 1 Gateway Tech, third-ranked Jackson will be competing in its fourth consecutive final four.

Eakins and Millham were members of the junior varsity when the streak started with a third-place finish their freshman season in 1994-95, but have been key contributors the last three campaigns as the Lady Indians have compiled a 79-8 mark.

"It's unusual for a person to be able to go to the state tournament three years in a row," said Jackson coach Ron Cook. "Your talking about my point guard (Millham) and my best 3-point shooter (Eakins). These two have been key people for us the last three years."

Millham, a three-year starter, and two-year starter Eakins have helped lead Jackson to back-to-back runner-up finishes the past two seasons. Considering the loss of all-state post-players Michelle Millham (Christa's sister) and Shannon Perry to graduation, another trek to Columbia might have seemed doubtful at the start of this season.

But following the leadership of its captains and only two seniors, Jackson knocked off five state-ranked teams this season in compiling a 25-2 record.

"It was very important for our team early in the year to have those two girls on the floor," Cook said. "They guided the rest of them along. I couldn't think of two better people to be in that leadership role."

Taking on a leadership roll was just one of the adjustments the two seniors had to take on. Another was playing with new and inexperienced teammates such as sophomore Cherish Tillman and juniors Melissa Palmer and Chrissi Glastetter.

"We played with Michelle (Millham) and Shannon (Perry) since we were in sixth grade on the same AAU team," Eakins said. "We played together all the time and these were new faces."

Said Millham: "We knew we'd have to work a lot more to gel because we haven't played with these people as much. I think we've peaked at the right time. Everybody is really working together as a team."

The Jackson girls have certainly come together this season while tearing its competition apart. The 5-foot-10 Millham, who earned a basketball scholarship to New Mexico State before the season, has led the way, averaging 16 points a game.

"Christa is a very strong competitor," Cook said. "She always believes there is a possibility of winning. You have to have that inner strength that you think you can win no matter what. I like that."

Behind Millham, offensive balance has been the key for the Lady Indians. The four remaining starters all average over seven points a game, with Eakins averaging 7.1 points. The 5-5 senior leads the team in 3-point shooting, making a remarkable 50 of 124 (40 percent).

"Dana has been a key 3-point shooter for us the last three years," said Cook. "She's got a positive attitude, is a good team leader and works hard. She really worked hard in the offseason to get the most out of her ability."

Despite making it to the 4A title game every season of their varsity careers, the two seniors hardly seem satisfied with the rewards they've reaped from their long trip to the center of the state. They'll likely be dreaming of a goal yet unreached on Thursday's long bus ride to Columbia.

"We want to win it all," Eakins said confidently.

Said Millham: "We definitely want to win, but we have to take it one game at a time."