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Jackson to cause Notre Dame issues at both ends of court
The Notre Dame girl’s basketball season has unfolded – so far – in a fairly comfortable fashion.
The Bulldogs (3-0) have utilized their depth and athleticism and dominated the opposition by an average of nearly 21 points per game.
That amount of breathing room will probably come to a screeching halt tonight.
Notre Dame will face Jackson (3-0) in the championship game of the SEMO Conference Tournament at Cape Girardeau Central at 8:30 p.m.
The title game will follow Dexter (0-2) vs. Kennett (0-2) at 4 p.m. in the seventh-place game; Cape Central (2-1) vs. Sikeston (1-1) in the consolation game at 5:30 p.m.; and Saxony Lutheran (1-1) vs. Poplar Bluff (2-1) in the third-place game at 7 p.m.
The Mules had scored a total of 128 points in their initial two games before running into the Indians, who played a match-up zone and frustrated Poplar Bluff all night Tuesday in a 45-35 victory.
“Jackson does a really good job with the match-up,” Mules coach John David Portillo said. “They really made it tough on us.”
Notre Dame sank four 3-pointers in its 47-30 semifinal victory over Saxony Lutheran, so shooting over that zone will be a point of emphasis. However, if Jackson is in sync defensively to the degree that it was Tuesday, that won’t be easy.
“We did a good job (against Poplar Bluff) of talking,” Jackson coach Tyler Abernathy said. “When you talk you are anticipating well (and) in the right spot.”
The Indians were very effective defensively against Poplar Bluff, but Abernathy’s squad was just as troublesome offensively.
The Mules were trailing for much of the game and were forced to extend themselves defensively and try to generate turnovers and offense in that regard. However, Jackson handled that pressure well.
Repeatedly, the Indian guards found back-cuts to the basket for open lay-ins or hit the flash in the post for a bucket.
“Poplar Bluff gets out and pressures you and deny (passing lanes),” Abernathy explained, “so there were some things that were open.”
The Indians were also capable of decking the ball against defensive pressure, which will be an interesting aspect of play to watch against Notre Dame, which has several very athletic perimeter defenders.
Jackson pulled away from the Mules in the third quarter and did so with drives to the basket and offensive balance.
Junior guard Kate Emmendorfer, junior forward Madison Lambert, and senior Piper Guilliams each had drives through the heart of the Poplar Bluff defense during that stretch, while Lambert found freshman Katie Waller in transition for a score.
The solid offensive play was impressive given the fact that Jackson was without junior point guard Olivia Ward, who was out with the flu.
“It was a collective group that had to handle the ball,” Abernathy said. “As a team, I was really proud of how we took ownership of the situation.
“This is a void right now and we all need to work together to fill that void. “I was impressed with that.”
Abernathy said Ward is day-to-day and he hopes she’ll be available tonight.
Ward will be needed against a talented and balanced Bulldog squad.
Senior forward Riley Burger was effective at both ends against Saxony, as she continually elevated to block Crusader shots, while offensively contributing 13 points.
Sophomore guard Lexi Rubel had 11 in Tuesday’s win, while sophomore Leah Jansen and freshman Tori Rubel chipped in six apiece.