Poplar Bluff boys basketball begins title defense at 32nd Poplar Bluff Showdown

Last year, the Mules entered the Poplar Bluff Showdown optimistic with a 4-4 record and won their third title after a late rally against defending champion Jonesboro (Ark.).

This year Poplar Bluff (6-1) is better, and once again, optimistic entering the 32nd Poplar Bluff Showdown.

“We’re a little older, a little more mature. The team is playing a little better. Offensively, not very much better but a little better than the beginning of last year. We’re playing pretty decent defense,” Poplar Bluff coach William Durden said. “Fayetteville is coming back and they are really good this year. They beat a couple ranked teams here in Missouri earlier in the year. They beat Jonesboro, they are bringing back most of their team.

“Jonesboro is coming back and they are defending state champions in Arkansas. One of our best players moved down and he is now playing for them. (Coach) Wes (Swift) does a really great job down there and they’ve won the last two or three state titles. Humbolt is going to be one of the tougher teams in the tournament. They have a 6-5, 6-6 senior that is going to be a monster. He is going to put up some really good numbers in the tournament.”

Poplar Bluff also won the Showdown in 2014 and in 2004.

A bunch of former Mules, including some from the 2014 squad, helped out at practice recently. Chris Stocks, Pat Tillman, Joe Eyler, Brandon Stuckenschneider, Jake White, Willie Lucas and Abiodun Ayetemiyi all stopped by.

“We’ve had quite a few come in. It helps a lot. Some of those guys are just repeating the same things we told them the four years they were here, and it is nice for our team to hear from older guys and guys who have been there and done that,” Durden said. “It is a change of pace for the coaches for them to parrot some of the stuff that we have been talking about and we haven’t changed a whole lot of what we do since they’ve been here. They are just letting the guys know what they expect and that it goes fast. It does, those four years in high school just kind of fly by.

“The guys took those comments and stuff to heart. Usually, when you have an audience, you play and practice a little harder, so it’ll be nice to get a pretty big crowd in there for the showdown and watch some good competition.”

The competition in the Showdown will again be tough.

“It is always a toss up. I always joke around with (Athletic Director Kent Keith) of letting us out so I can just enjoy the hospitality room and watch some good games,” Durden said. “We’ll see. I really like this team and I like our shot against anybody. But there is some good competition so we’ll see how it goes.”

The Mules open against Memphis Central at 7 p.m. Thursday and will play either Fayetteville (Ark.) or Christian County (Ky.) in the second round.

A potential Saturday rematch against Jonesboro and former Mule Marcedus Leech lurks.

The Hurricanes are on the opposite side of the bracket and can not face the Mules in any of the second round games on Friday.

After a standout freshman season, the heavily recruited Leech, who averaged 20.7 points for the Mules, played 10 games for Poplar Bluff as a sophomore and none as a junior after suffering a broken leg in the offseason. Leech, who is committed to Iowa State, then transferred to Jonesboro for his senior season.

“I’m excited to see him play, happy that he is healthy. He is really good friends with a lot of guys on the team. I think they’ll be excited until we get a chance to play him. It may be a different story then, but I am rooting for him right now,” Durden said.

The Mules went into the Christmas Break down two starters after Carlton McDonald-Jordan and Xander Martin rolled their ankles in the final game before the break against Vianney on Dec. 15.

“With the break, you have to find a way to let the guys spend time with the families and enjoy the Christmas holiday, but you also have to find time to practice and not let them get out of shape. For the most part, they have been going well.”

Both players are still day-to-day. Durden said McDonald-Jordan has been practicing while Martin has not. Both will be evaluated again before Thursday’s game.

The Showdown beings at 4 p.m. Thursday with Fayetteville vs. Christian County. Tickets are $7.