THE LATEST LINE: JACKSON 'COOK'S UP ANOTHER SEASON TO REMEMBER

COLUMBIA, Mo. -- For the fifth time in seven years, the Jackson High Lady Indians wound up just a bit short of their first state basketball championship, thanks to Friday night's closer-than-most-people-expected 44-40 loss to powerhouse Parkway West in a Class 4A semifinal game.

But that can't detract from what coach Ron Cook has done in building one of Missouri's premier -- and most respected -- girls hoop programs.

During his 20 years at Jackson, Cook has led the Lady Indians to more than 400 victories and into six final fours, all since 1992. They have finished second three times. That the Lady Indians have failed to win a championship during their six previous trips to Columbia should take a back seat to just how tough it is simply getting to there on a fairly regular basis, especially considering Jackson has for the most part thrived with solid if not spectacular players who generally don't draw much high-level recruiting interest.

Cook has definitely had more talented teams than this year's, which is why getting the 2000-01 Lady Indians to the final four seemed as satisfying to him -- if not more so -- as what any of his previous squads were able to accomplish.

When the season began, very few people were talking about Jackson as a state contender. But the Lady Indians came through when it counted the most -- in the playoffs -- including a district win over Poplar Bluff, which most observers had all but penciled in for a return trip to Columbia.

The look Cook wore in the media interview room just moments after Friday's tough loss pretty much told the story of just how he regards this year's team.

While Cook was naturally disappointed with the defeat -- Jackson was right in the game until the very end -- he couldn't help but grin as he talked about being as proud of these Lady Indians as any of his previous final four squads.

And going a little bit past the pride Cook felt as a coach, consider the fatherly pride he must have been experiencing ever since the Lady Indians secured their berth in the state semifinals last weekend.

Jackson getting to the final four this season meant that Cook was able to coach all three of his basketball-playing daughters into the big show' of Missouri prep hoops. Ronna is a senior reserve on the current squad while twins Sherry and Shauna starred on the Lady Indians' standout teams of the mid-1990s.

That's plenty of sources of pride for a hard-working, first-class coach and individual who certainly deserves his share of accolades.

* Speaking of talented and classy basketball coaches, Lennies McFerren definitely has to rank up there with any who have ever directed a Missouri high school team.

Saturday, McFerren led New Madrid County Central to its second straight 3A boys title. He previously coached Charleston to seven state championships, giving him an impressive nine crowns in all.

This season marked the last one for McFerren, who recently announced his retirement from coaching. If McFerren never graces the sidelines again, then Saturday's win over Hickman Mills was certainly a fitting sendoff.

* Vashon lived up to its billing as one of the nation's premier prep boys basketball teams by winning the 4A state championship over the weekend.

The Wolverines, ranked fifth nationally by USA Today, repeated as state champions with a 63-52 victory over Liberty.

Vashon has several future Division I recruits on its roster. The marquee name is guard Jimmy McKinney, regarded as one of the nation's premier juniors. Not that far behind is powerful inside player Lorenzo Gordon, a senior who is said to be seriously considering SEMO.

* Cape Girardeau resident Jerry Dement -- a former Cape Central head football coach who is now an assistant at Sikeston -- was one of the officials for Saturday night's 4A boys title game.

Dement, a longtime area official, has called state championship games before, but he said being involved in the final four's feature contest was a real thrill.