2021 Southeast Missourian Christmas Tournament: Jackson utilizes size in quarterfinal win over Advance

Jackson's Nick Wasilewski throws down a two-handed dunk in the Indians' win over Advance during the Southeast Missourian Christmas Tournament on Tuesday at the Show Me Center.

Aaron Palmer ~ Special to the Southeast Missourian

Jackson's size caused several problems for Advance in the teams' Southeast Missourian Christmas Tournament quarterfinal matchup.

The Indians' big men, Nick Wasilewski and Clayton Ernst, made an immediate impact and combined for 36 points in Jackson's 67-44 win over the Hornets on Tuesday night at the Show Me Center.

Wasilewski and Ernst had a combined 28 points entering halftime, and finished with 19 and 17 points, respectively.

"They played well, both of them," Jackson coach Darrin Scott said. "I've been really happy with the way they've played. They're doing a good job and I think they continued that tonight."

Despite Jackson's strong start, and 15-point halftime lead, Advance hung around.

The Hornets cut into Jackson's lead in the third quarter before the Indians pulled away in the fourth.

"We were trying to pressure them a lot and (Hayden Hitt) was handling our pressure well and getting into the paint," Scott said. "Then we switched and went more half-court. We gave him some space, tried to keep him out of the paint and takeaway his pull-up jump shot.

"I think we got three stops in a row and we scored on the other end. It went from an 11-point game to 17 and that really helped right there. That was pretty much the game."

Sophomore guard Blayne Harris scored 14 points for the Indians in a winning effort.

"He's a competitor," Scott said. "He just wants to compete, even if there was nobody in the gym, and I think he'd play the same way if there's a bunch of people. We want to win this game so we can get to play in the winner's bracket tomorrow night and they were able to do that tonight."

Advance was led offensively by Hayden Laird's 16-point performance.

Jackson (5-4) will face Cape Central in a semifinal matchup at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Advance (5-2) will face Meadow Heights at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday in the fifth-place bracket.