Sophomore leads Jackson boys basketball team's charge past Scott City

Karson King is playing much older than his sophomore status these days.

King led a fourth-quarter charge to help fifth-seeded Jackson pull away from eighth-seeded Scott City 48-36 on Thursday in the fifth-place semifinals of the Southeast Missourian Christmas tournament.

The Indians will face sixth-seeded Leopold at 5 p.m. today to decide fifth and sixth place.

"It was a tough loss to Cape Central the other night," King said about Tuesday's two-point setback to Jackson's archrival. "It's good to bounce back and get this win."

The 6-foot-5 King nearly led the Indians past Central by scoring 23 points.

Jackson's John Meyer drives to the basket against Scott City during the first quarter Thursday.

King followed that performance with a game-high 18-points. He scored 14 points in the second half, including 11 in the fourth quarter to help Jackson finish the contest on a 13-0 run.

"We were down going into the fourth quarter. Coach told me to be aggressive," King said.

The versatile King, who has a nice outside shot and is strong slashing to the basket, has been playing with a protective mask after suffering a broken nose in practice last week.

"I just try to work on my game as much as I can," he said. "I try to help the team out wherever I can."

King missed last Thursday's overtime loss to state-ranked Vianney because of the injury but has bounced back strong.

"I think right now he's feeling more comfortable with that mask," Jackson coach Darrin Scott said. "He's going to be good. He's got a good attitude. He wants to be good."

Jackson (7-3) led virtually the entire first half, including by 10 points, before settling for a 20-14 advantage at the break.

Scott City (7-4) rallied to go ahead 28-27 after three quarters. The final period featured five lead changes before the Rams went cold and Jackson took control.

The Rams went up 36-35 on a basket by senior Zach Cotner with about six minutes left. Scott City never scored again.

King's two free throws with 5 minutes, 37 seconds remaining put the Indians back on top 37-36.

King followed with a short jumper and a free throw by sophomore Calvin Lysell made it 40-36.

Scott City kept missing shots and Jackson was able to ice the victory from the free-throw line. The Indians made 8 of 8 in the final 2:18. They were 15 of 17 from the charity stripe in the contest.

"It was a grind-it-out game. Nothing was easy," Scott said. "We competed. When we did get a four-point lead, we were able to spread the ball out and hit our free throws."

John Meyer, a 6-foot-9 senior, added 12 points for the Indians. He had eight points in the first quarter.

"It was an aggressive game. They're a real aggressive team," Meyer said.

Cotner scored 10 points for Scott City, as did juniors Ryan Brock and Jesse Sanders.

"You score 36 points, you're not going to beat anybody," Scott City coach Mark Dannenmueller said. "We didn't play with confidence in the last five or six minutes. I thought we just stopped being aggressive."

Jackson had a big size advantage, which helped stymie Scott City's offense, but Dannenmueller said the Rams still should have been able to score more points.

"Their height's going to bother you, but at the end of the day, you've just got to knock down some shots," said Dannenmueller, whose squad hurt itself by making just 3 of 9 free throws in the first half, although the Rams made all six of their attempts after halftime.

The Indians held Scott City's top two players in check.

Cotner, a dynamic slasher, had scored 50 points in the first two tournament games. Senior Landon Robert, a dangerous outside shooter who had scored 27 points in the opening two contests, was held to three points Thursday.

"Our focus points were making sure we take care of Robert on the perimeter and keeping Cotner out of the paint," Scott said. "They're a good team. They're athletic and they compete."

Jackson played without starting senior guard Caleb Newcomer, who suffered an injury late in Tuesday's loss to Central and was on the bench in street clothes Thursday.

Scott City 6 8 14 8 -- 36

Jackson 12 8 7 21 -- 48

SCOTT CITY (36) -- Landon Robert 3, Jesse Sanders 10, Jonathan McFall 2, Zach Cotner 10, Ryan Fortner 1, Ryan Brock 10. FG 12, FT 9-15, F 17. (3-pointers: Robert 1, Sanders 2. Fouled out: none)

JACKSON (48) -- Josh Daume 2, Braxton McDowell 7, Calvin Lysell 5, Karson King 18, John Meyer 12, Josiah McGuire 2, Luke Stevens 2. FG 16, FT 15-17, F 16. (3-pointers: McDowell 1. Fouled out: none)