Tater's Two Cents - Jan. 24

We're getting down to the nitty griddy and past the midway point of the high school basketball season.

In retrospect, there isn't a whole lot of difference between this year and last year when it comes to the state poll. A year ago this week, the DAR coverage area had three teams represented and currently we have just two which are two of the teams from last year (Clearwater boys were ranked a year ago).

Bernie, at 13-2, has nearly the same record as a year ago and were ranked No. 8 in Class 2. The Mules are currently No. 7.

On the girls side, Neelyville has now been a fixture in the Class 2 poll for over a year. A year ago this week, the Lady Tigers were 18-0 and ranked No. 4 while this year they have gotten in less games due to the weather and are 10-1 at No. 6.

Both ranked teams have troublesome schedules on the horizon that should be telling to just how good each team is.

- For Bernie, which both their losses came at the hands of Twin Rivers, are the top-seed at the Stoddard County Activities Association tournament which tips off tonight at Bloomfield.

The Mules open up the first round with No. 8 Woodland tonight at 7 p.m. but things should get tougher as the tournament progresses.

For the first two rounds of the SCAA tourney, Bernie will avoid Dexter and Bloomfield, which are both at the bottom of the bracket and seeded No. 2 and No. 3 respectively. The Mules' two most recent wins (which were Jan. 14 against the Bearcats and Jan. 18 against the Wildcats) were nice wins on their homecourt. I'd expect games to be even tighter in Bloomfield's gym if the Mules reach the final and play either opponent.

It won't get too much easier for Bernie headed in February as they host Notre Dame and travel to Sikeston. Bernie added those games last season and only proved to be helpful games come districts and the state tournament.

- On the other hand Neelyville may not have as hard of a time in the Ozark Foothills Conference but time will tell. The Lady Tigers have already beaten handily two of who I'd project as top-4 seeds in the draw in Twin Rivers (twice by an average of 33 points), Naylor (twice by an average of 26.5 points). Neelyville hasn't played a short-handed and young Greenville team yet this year or an up-and-coming East Carter team.

Like Bernie, Neelyville has some challenging non-conference game on the horizon including Lesterville at TRCC on Jan. 29, Poplar Bluff on Jan. 31 , at Notre Dame on Feb. 17 and at home against Eminence on Feb. 22.

- The Greenville boys finally got the monkey off their back last Tuesday as it topped Bunker at home for their first win of the year. The Bears, who have won just eight games over the last three seasons, could build on that tonight against East Carter (subject to weather) and then travel to Naylor on Tuesday night.

Games to look forward to this week:

* First has to be the SCAA Tournament. If it comes down to Bernie vs. Dexter or Bloomfield on championship night (Friday at 8:30 p.m.) that should be an electric game.

* Twin Rivers at Kennett should be a pretty good game Tuesday night.

* Big rivals Clarkton and Campbell square off Tuesday night.

* Also the Coaches vs. Cancer Shootout takes place this Saturday at Charleston High School. Greenville will face East Prairie then Twin Rivers will play Charleston following. Games that day start at 11 a.m., according to a post on semoball.com, proceeds will benefit the American Cancer Society.