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.

Mules 79, Hillsboro 61

Posted Tuesday, February 19, 2008, at 11:50 PM

Poplar Bluff advanced to the MSHSAA Class 5 District 1 championship game by knocking off third-seeded Hillsboro on Tuesday night in Jackson.

Jordan Chaligoj scored 19 points, hitting 3-of-4 from 3-point range, while Jay Raulston added 18 points and seven rebounds and brother Riley added 17 points. Austin Sutton scored a career-high eight points while Chris Kilgore chipped in eight points off the bench.

The Mules shot 63.4 percent, including 5-of-9 from 3-point range, and missed just one free throw. Poplar Bluff (11-14) outrebounded the Hawks (18-8) 26-17 and scored 25 points off turnovers.

The Mules led 25-14 after one quarter thanks to consecutive 3s from Chaligoj midway through the frame that started a 15-4 run. Riley Raulston started and Chris Kilgore finished an 8-1 rally in the second quarter as Riley's triple at the buzzer put the Mules ahead 46-26 at halftime.

Hillsboro pulled within 59-44 after three quarters but Poplar Bluff led by 21 after Jay Raulston's steal and dunk midway through the fourth quarter.

Kevin Kramer scored 19 points for the Hawks while Casey Pochon added 12 and Jeremy Martin added 10.

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