Semoball

Saturday morning at Myrtle's is a Three Rivers tradition

The Three Rivers women's basketball team gets breakfast at Myrtle's on Saturday, March 27, 2021. It is a tradition for the team to meet at 9 a.m. on Saturdays when it has a game.
DAILY AMERICAN REPUBLIC/Scott Borkgren

The Lady Raiders have been going to Myrtle’s for decades.

When the team plays on Saturday, everyone starts their gameday routine by meeting for breakfast at the downtown Poplar Bluff staple.

Jack Childress started it, Jeff Walk adopted it, and now in his first season as head coach, Alex Wiggs is carrying it on.

“They always took care of us down there,” said Wiggs, who always gets the Debbie’s Special with eggs over-easy, hashbrowns, bacon, wheat toast, and either water or a Dr. Pepper. “I think it’s important to get up, get the body going a little bit and start the day off with a good breakfast.”

The team, roughly 15-20 people between players, coaches and staff, typically sit in the same place and are waited on by the same people. Several former players back in town for the Raider Reunion this year also made the Saturday morning trip, as did Walk.

“That’s a pretty good time, and I made sure I was there that day, too,” said Walk, who also gets the Debbie’s Special, but with skillet fries, bacon, and endless pots of coffee.

“You can’t beat it. It’s good.”

Abby Turner, a Poplar Bluff grad and current freshman on the team, remembers going to Myrtle’s with her grandma a lot while growing up. She went less as she got older, but these days finds herself going back outside of gamedays.

As one might expect, not all college kids are thrilled to get up before 9 a.m. on a Saturday. For the superstitious, the routine is essential, and they grow to enjoy it. The gameday interest from the staff is a helpful reminder that the community cares about these student-athletes, most of whom are from outside the area.

“A lot of us show up in our shorts or pajamas because it’s 9 a.m.,” said Turner, who always gets over-medium eggs, bacon, pancakes, and either water or orange juice. “(Myrtle’s workers) are very caring and always wish us luck.”

There’s also the annual speech from the coaching staff reminding players that they represent the team, each other, and the school. Be polite, be respectful, tip appropriately.

The players also help to keep each other accountable. Showing up for breakfast, as well as being on time, is mandatory. The first time you’re late, either you don’t start or don’t play in the first quarter, depending on your role. The second time it’s a half, and the third time it’s a game.

Walk remembers a few years ago when Jordan Little, a member of the 2019 team that went to the national tournament, showed up two minutes late the morning of her first home game. She didn’t start that night and was never late again. With everyone typically arriving early and most having a regular order, the restaurant is prepared for the large group.

“They’re really sweet,” Turner said. “It’s taken us a little bit to get used to it, but a lot of us like it.”

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