Bluff-Jackson to meet again

From a last-second shot to beat the Lady Mules in 1993 to one last year that knocked out the Lady Indians, Poplar Bluff and Jackson have had some memorable battles in postseason play.

For the 22nd straight year, the MSHSAA Class 5 District 1 girls' title will again go to either Poplar Bluff or Jackson.

Both teams advanced with wins Tuesday night in the semifinals and will meet at 6 p.m. Friday at Cape Central. The two schools also play Wednesday night in the boys' semifinal.

The teams split two meetings during the regular season and will face off in the district final for the 13th time in the last 20 years.

Poplar Bluff won at Jackson, 44-38, on Feb. 3 after Jackson won the first meeting this season, 58-53, to end a five-game win streak by Poplar Bluff in the series.

Throw out the regular season when it comes to these two schools.

There was the Upset in '94 when Poplar Bluff knocked off unbeaten and top-ranked Jackson 42-36 after losing the previous two meetings that season by a combined 41 points.

Jackson's Unexpected 3 in '93 came from a bench player at the buzzer to upset top-seeded Poplar Bluff, 48-47.

The game always seems to go down to the wire.

Friday will be the 71st meeting of the two long-time rivals. Half of the previous games have been decided by single digits or in overtime, including eight of the last 10.

Poplar Bluff holds a 38-32 advantage all-time. Jackson, however, is 9-4 since 1991 playing the Lady Mules in the district final.

The last team other than Poplar Bluff or Jackson to win this district was Cape Central in 1989.

The Lady Mules won their seventh straight Tuesday night to reach 20 wins for the first time since 2008 and the 20th time under coach Kirk Chronister, who picked up his 690th career win.

Jackson (18-6) came into the postseason off a loss to state-ranked Meadow Heights, 69-62, that snapped a five-game win streak.

Last year in the district semifinal, the Lady Mules edged Jackson, 45-42, on a late 3-pointer.

In the previous meeting with Poplar Bluff, guards Brooke Sanders and Dru Haertling scored 15 and nine points respectively while Jackson's forwards of McKenzie Quade, Brooke Sanders and Connor King combined for 16. Quade, Sanders and King combined for 35 points in Jackson's win over the Lady Mules on Dec. 4.

Poplar Bluff has won the last three district titles, beating Jackson in the semifinal last year on Ruthie Johnson's late 3-pointer and an eight-point win in the 2008 final.