Jackson falls to Webster Groves (and I beg to be let in a McDonald's)

Another day, another round of internet connection issues. This time the solution was begging our (photographer Kristin Eberts was along) way into McDonald's that was supposed to have closed five minutes before to use the WiFi then waiting 25 minutes as one .zip file uploaded.

I wouldn't share because I doubt you all care much about the my connectivity issues, but, for those of you who know me and some of you who do not, there is plenty of humor to be found in picturing me attempting to sprint across the downward tilting parking lot of the Farmington Civic Center with a laptop bag in each hand in my platform heels just so I can get to my iPhone (that I forgot in the car) and track down a McDonald's I'm praying will have WiFi.

Of course, we found a McDonald's and some (albeit horrible) WiFi and eventually got everything we needed to email sent to the newsroom. I'll admit to throwing both hands above my head in jubilation when I saw the "Free WiFi" sign on the door and to engaging in a full blown celebration when the attachment finally uploaded after 25 minutes and the email was sent. It was a night Kristin and I won't soon forget.

My good mood was dampened considerably about 10 minutes later when I dropped my iPhone in a Rhodes parking lot. Good game, screen. Hello, iPhone 3G S? :(

/story that only I find entertaining

While I wasn't providing you with updates, I was watching the Jackson boys take on the Webster Groves Statesmen. (Is Statesmen a cool mascot or a lame one? I'm leaning toward cool, but thinking of a group of statesmen doesn't exactly bring on a fit of fear. Unless hyperbole terrifies you.)

I'm not of fan of complicating uncomplicated games -- there are enough of those to try to sort through. Jackson did well to hang with the No. 1 team in Class 5 in the first half, but ultimately the Indians were just up against a better team that slowly pulled away for most of the game before quickly pulling away in the fourth.

When Jackson fans think back on this season, I doubt they think much about their sectional loss. The Indians' two thrilling wins in last week's district tournament won't soon be forgotten. In case you managed to miss them you can find stories about the wins on the Jackson home page.

I'll be returning to Farmington on Saturday for the state quarterfinal games featuring the Notre Dame girls and Sikeston boys. As was the case in Oran on Saturday, there is good, password-protected WiFi in the venue that I hope I'll be able to use if I can find someone willing and able to get me a password. Farmington even had a sign proclaiming "Free WiFi." If I get that sorted out over the next few days and if I can convince Jordan to come along for the day, we'll cover the games live on Saturday. I'll let you know.

If not, I'm prepared to once again call on the hospitality of Ronald McDonald and his associates.

From earlier:

I'm about to head out the door to Farmington the check out the Jackson boys basketball team taking on the No. 1 team in Class 5 in the state sectional round. (I hope to catch some the of the Poplar Bluff girls game as well).

You can find a preview of the Jackson-Webster Groves game as well as the Notre Dame girls' Class 4 sectional against Farmington here.

Both teams played its opponent earlier this season and both lost, but both teams were without key players for at least part of the game. Jackson faced Webster Groves without center Henrie Williams and Notre Dame lost center Jane Morrill in the second quarter.

I'll be providing updates when I can here on my blog and in the forums during the game. I'm going to be talking to players and coaches and writing a story about the game after it's over, which requires paying more attention to what's happening on the court than covering a game live allows.

If you haven't done so already, get in your official predictions for tonight's sectional games. I haven't mentioned them yet, but I of course haven't forgot that the Sikeston boys will also be in action tonight against Farmington. We'll have coverage of that game on semoball as well.