Walsh, Vianney power past Deck, Indians in offensive slugfest

Matched up against one of the top teams in MSHSAA’s Class 5, Jackson boys basketball mounted an early lead but couldn’t keep up with undefeated Vianney at home on Friday night, losing 65-55.

A 48-point performance from Vianney’s Luke Walsh ensured that the visitors took home the win, nearly outscoring the Indians with a barrage of trifectas. Jackson's Kole Deck dropped 31 points of his own, but couldn't push his side to a win against third-ranked Vianney.

Tasked with a slew of Division-I talent on Vianney’s roster, Jackson had some hot and cold stretches, eventually cutting the lead down to two possessions in the fourth quarter but never pulled back ahead after an early lead.

“It's a fun game to coach,” Indians coach Kory Thoma said. “I assume it was a fun game to watch and a fun game to play. No reason to hang our heads tonight because those boys came out and gave extreme effort.”

Jackson’s game-opening lead stretched as large as five after Deck hit on three of four technical free throws to open the game and both he and Judd Thoma knocked down mid-range jumpers, but Vianney landed its fair share of jabs to cut the lead down to 9-6 before calling a timeout.

A pair of deep 3-pointers from Walsh gave Vianney a three-point lead late in the first, and the Golden Griffins carried that momentum to an 18-14 lead after the first quarter.

Walsh continued to add to Vianney’s lead, hitting another triple halfway through the second quarter and feeding into the club’s stagnation of the Jackson offense before hitting his fourth of the game in the final minute.

The Indians scored just eight points in the second quarter to fall into a 35-22 lead at the break. Walsh, a SEMO offeree, scored 26 of Vianney’s 35 first-half points.

Deck drew a foul on a 3-point shot and hit before Braedon Thoma drilled a triple of his own to drag the Golden Griffins’ lead down to 42-31, turning Vianney over on consecutive possessions to inch closer.

Already in the bonus, Deck and Thoma both drew some big fouls late and converted on a number of their free throws to close out the third quarter trailing 44-38.

Cutting the deficit down to four points, Jackson finally got back in reaching distance but couldn’t convert on its opportunities down the stretch.

With Vianney’s strong shooting from the charity stripe, it built back up a 12-point lead before Walsh hit what felt like a serious dagger from outside, upping his scoring total to 42 points on the game to go up 57-42.

Jackson’s two triples of its own, followed by a shooting foul of Judd Thoma in transition, forced the Golden Griffins into a timeout up 57-48 with 3:19 remaining.

That would be as close as it got, however, as Walsh converted on some late-game free throws to cap off his 48-point night and send Jackson home with a tough loss albeit to one of the most talented teams in Missouri.

Jackson got plenty of life from junior Kole Deck, who continued a hot streak of his own with a strong offensive night from all around the floor.

Now 4-4, Jackson is still trying to find its men before the Southeast Missourian Christmas Tournament.

With some determined offensive performances in its past two games, however, it’s starting to come together.

“We're still finding roles right now,” Thoma said. “Tonight was a big step in that. It’s one of those things — the offense will come. We saw some good things tonight.”