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Tickets on sale for PB Sports Hall ceremony
Tickets for the 36th Poplar Bluff Sports Hall of Fame induction banquet are on sale for the ceremony to be held Thursday, Oct. 10, at E.T. Peters Gym.
Tyler Hansbrough, Ben Hansbrough and the 2003-04 and 2004-05 PBHS Mules basketball teams will be honored that evening.
Tickets include a dinner for $25 and can also be purchased at the Poplar Bluff Area Chamber of Commerce.
“It should be a wonderful night celebrating the best Mules basketball players and teams together,” said Brian Rosener, president of the Sports Hall of Fame.
For out-of-town guests wanting tickets, groups or sponsorship opportunities, email pbsportshof@gmail.com for more information.
Along with proceeds from the E.E. “Bus” Carr Memorial Golf Tournament, which will be held Thursday, Oct. 10, at Ozark Ridge Golf Course, the only financial support for the Sports Hall of Fame comes from contributions from the community.
This class will bring the total number of those honored to 100 individuals and 12 teams.
Tyler Hansbrough was an All-American basketball player in high school and college, holding numerous records and his No. 50 jersey retired at both levels, helping the Mules win two state championships and the North Carolina Tar Heels to the 2009 NCAA title.
After being drafted 13th overall by the Indiana Pacers, he played seven years in the NBA and three more in China. Hansbrough has also been inducted into the College Basketball Hall of Fame and the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame.
Ben Hansbrough was an All-American and Big East Player of the Year at the University of Notre Dame after helping the Mules win two state championships and having his No. 23 jersey retired at Poplar Bluff. A two-time all-state player in high school, he was named “Mr. Show-Me Basketball” as a senior and finished second all-time in scoring for the Mules. He played professionally in Europe and in the NBA Development League before signing with the Indiana Pacers during the 2012-13 season.
At the time, the Hansbroughs were the fourth pair of brothers to play together on the same NBA team.
During their three seasons together at Poplar Bluff, the Mules won 78 games, made three appearances in the MSHSAA final four, finishing fourth in 2003 before winning consecutive championships.
The 2003-04 Mules finished 25-6, beating Blue Springs 64-56 in the Class 5 championship game at the Hearnes Center in Columbia.
Varsity lettermen to be honored from the 2004 squad are Travon Battles, Devon Brown, Rusty Bryant, Brad Chronister, James Dixon, Colbi Ellison, Emil Fernando, Anthony Gilberto, Ben Hansbrough, Tyler Hansbrough, Clay Lawson, Allan Spencer, Todd Tinsley, Ross Whelan, Anthony Williams and Glen Yandell.
The 2004-05 Mules finished 27-4, capped with a 72-56 win over Vashon in the Class 5 championship game at Mizzou Arena in Columbia in a meeting of two defending state champions. Vashon won the Class 4 title the previous year.
Varsity lettermen to be honored from that team are Evan Bascombe, Phillip Brown, Rusty Bryant, Brad Chronister, Emil Fernando, John Fernando, Ben Hansbrough, Tyler Hansbrough, Skyler Holeman, Kevin Hutson, Clay Lawson, Jack March, Allan Spencer, Ricky Taylor, Todd Tinsley and Ross Whelan.
Both teams were coached by John David Pattillo, who was inducted into the Sports Hall of Fame in 2007.
Ben and Tyler Hansbrough will be joining their father, Gene, and uncle Sean Fister in the Sports Hall of Fame. Gene Hansbrough, a high jumper, was inducted in 1996 while Fister, a golfer, was honored in 2005.
The inductees will also be recognized during halftime of the Mules varsity football game against West Plains on Friday, Oct. 11, at Mules Stadium.
The induction banquet will be held at Peters Gym, named for E.T. Peters who was one of the first three members of the Sports Hall of Fame, on the court which was named in honor of Ben and Tyler Hansbrough. The Mules never lost a home game with either Hansbrough on the roster.
“It’s a perfect venue to honor Poplar Bluff’s basketball history and we’re working hard to make it a memorable night for everyone,” said Rosener, who thanked the Poplar Bluff R-I School District for allowing the ceremony to be held there.