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.

Lady Mules 65, Nerinx Hall 61 (OT)

Posted Wednesday, March 3, 2010, at 10:36 PM

FARMINGTON -- The third time was the charm for the Poplar Bluff Lady Mules.

Playing in the MSHSAA Class 5 sectional playoff for a third straight year, the Lady Mules finally advanced Wednesday night with a 65-61 overtime win against state-ranked Nerinx Hall.

The Lady Mules (19-8) will play Incarnate Word (27-1) at 6 p.m. Saturday at UM-St. Louis in the quarterfinals.

Ruthie Johnson scored a game-high 25 points Wednesday, Dennisha Rice added 11 and Marissa Webb scored 10 for Poplar Bluff. Sara Eyler scored seven of her nine points in overtime after Webb fouled out.

The teams were tied at 50 after regulation.

The 10th-ranked Markers (17-11) took the first lead of overtime but Eyler hit a 14-footer and Courtney Knuckles got a steal leading to Chelsea Darnell's bucket and the lead with 3 minutes to play. Eyler later broke another tie with a three-point play and Knuckles took a charge. Poplar Bluff led 57-56 with 70 seconds to play when Hall's Mary Beth Mathias missed two free throws.

The Lady Mules hit all eight free throws over the final 35 seconds to hold off the Markers, who had beaten Poplar Bluff 52-33 earlier this season.

Mathias led the Markers with 21 points while Lexi Cochran added 15 and Kelsey Reeds scored 11.

For more, pick up a Thursday edition of the Daily American Republic.

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If the Lady Mules win one more game they will have a 20 wins season.

-- Posted by drawmules on Wed, Mar 3, 2010, at 10:38 PM
Mr. Rosener if Poplar Bluff defeats Incarnate Word I'll but you a filet mignon. I haven't watched Poplar Bluff this season. However, I have watched Incarnate Word once. It should be interesting to see what happens Saturday. Maybe they could have Neil Boyd sing at the end of the third quarter.

If the Three Rivers Raiders make it to the finals of their tournament I may elect to drive to Hillsboro instead.

-- Posted by drawmules on Wed, Mar 3, 2010, at 10:49 PM
I have seen both play. First, congratulations to PB and Coach Chronister. A class guy and a great program. Incarnate is like watching an NAIA college team play. They are bigger at every position than PB and are just as fast. They have shooters, handlers, and bigs. Good luck PB, I believe you will need a little.

-- Posted by Dexter Native on Thu, Mar 4, 2010, at 9:03 AM

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