Brian Rosener is the keeper of the Semoball Cup which is presented to the school with the most successful season. It is based on a formula that takes into account the combined winning percentage of all sports teams plus bonus points for advancement in postseason play for both teams and individuals. The bonus points are divided by the number of teams a school fields. Rosener has been the sports editor for the Daily American Republic in Poplar Bluff, Mo. since December 2001. He was born and raised in St. Louis, where he attended Lindbergh High School and Webster University. He is married to Jennifer, a Poplar Bluff native, has a son Jack and a dog named Satchel who stands in for his @semoballBrian photo.

First game offers measuring sticks for both Poplar Bluff teams

Posted Sunday, December 3, 2006, at 7:58 PM

Poplar Bluff didn't exactly start the basketball season off on the right sneaker.

Don't panic, it's just one game. And it may even help down the road.

Both the Mules and Lady Mules gave up 67 points and many of those followed a Poplar Bluff turnover. Both faced tough St. Louis opponents who will probably end up being ranked this season and will probably contend for their district title.

The Mules, who lost Friday at Webster Groves 67-43, have a new coach and four new starters. The Lady Mules, who lost to Lutheran South 67-50 Monday night, have no seniors.

The season-opening losses answer a few questions right away for both teams. Taking care of the ball and defending are at the top of both coaches' list of things to improve.

But when it comes to high school sports, it's not how a team starts, it's where they finish. Remember the 2003-04 season for the Mules when they won the first of two state titles? That team finished 25-6 after a 1- 4 start, losing to Paducah Tilghman by four, Blytheville, Ark. and Cape Central, both by one, and doing it without an injured Tyler Hansbrough.

It may have been the most productive three-game losing streak in school history (there hasn't been one since) because it showed how important each player's role was.

Last season after suffering through the program's worst losing streak ever -- four games -- the Lady Mules won nine of the next 12 to finish with a winning record.

For the past month coaches have been telling their players that defense, rebounding and taking care of the ball are keys to winning. Now the players have proof of that.

Sometimes a loss can be a good thing -- an eye opener.

SOCCER AWARDS: The Mules had three players named to the SEMO Conference first team and three more on the second.

Senior defender Eric Lundstrom, forward Erik Ekstedt and Skyler Holeman were named to the first team while defender Damon Bower and midfielders Josh Thompson and Carl Stigall were on the second team.

Defender Darrin Whited and midfielders Kevin Hutson and Martin Esquivel were also honorable mentions.

The Mules finished 13-13, losing to Jackson 2-0 in the district championship game. ------