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Mules host 35th Showdown
The Poplar Bluff Basketball Showdown has become as synonymous to the town as anything else anyone can name.
Once again, the tournament is here and begins at 4 p.m. Wednesday when things tip off between Little Rock Christian and Haywood, Tenn.
Following that contest, Blytheville, Ark. takes on Memphis (Tenn.) Hillcrest at 5:30, then the host Poplar Bluff Mules will tip off against Memphis Douglass at 7 p.m. and then Springdale, Ark. and Germantown, Tenn. wraps things up at 8:30 p.m.
Last year’s champion, Fayetteville, Ark. did not return to the field.
The Mules are four-time champions (2004, 2014, 2016-17) of the tournament and head coach William Durden is looking forward to the festivities.
This is Durden’s 10th event he has been involved in — counting the COVID cancellation.
“It’s a really good tournament and it’s good for the local people to see some talented teams they normally wouldn’t see,” Durden said. “We’ve had teams from Kentucky, Oklahoma and Mississippi in the past.
“We have a good Showdown field as a whole and is extremely talented. Blytheville, Little Rock Christian and (Springdale) are some of the better teams in Arkansas and should all compete in their respective classifications. You throw in the Memphis and Tennessee schools they bring in a different level of physicality and athleticism. It’s going to be a tough out. There is no easy way to go on either side of the bracket.”
Durden said that Douglass should be a physical team that plays and will get up and down the floor while bringing a pressure defensive presence.
“They have traveled all over the place and went deep into the playoffs last year,” Durden said. “They are good and have a couple of good players and have plenty of size. They will be a tough out.”
Durden said that these games, even if the Mules win the title, will not assist the Poplar Bluff boys and their district power points for tournament seeding.
“We can win it and it doesn’t matter at all,” Durden said. “Our goal is to get better throughout the year and you do that by playing good and different competition. It will benefit us playing in something like this.”
Currently, the Mules are 4-2 and come off two wins at the Route 66 Showdown.
"The early-in-the-year trip (to St. Louis) is a bonding experience and we had usually split the last few years we've been there and this time we went 2-0 which is a positive," Durden said. "We played against two different styles we haven't seen this year so that will definitely help us grow as a team. The first six games of the year has helped us as a coaching staff figure out what our (plans will be) and what the kids need to work on and get better at.
"They play really hard for a team without a lot of experience. That is something where I can go home, lay my head on the pillow, and be happy about. They compete."
Blytheville (13-0) could be the favorite in the field as the Chickasaws return after finishing as state runners-up in Arkansas, but with only two of those guys back.
Their list of victories sounds like a who’s who of regional power teams including Arkansas schools North Little Rock, Brookland, Springdale Har-Ber and West Memphis, along with victories over two California schools.
They are led by Rashaud Marshall, a 6-9 Ole Miss signee who averages 19 points, 12 rebounds, and three block shots a night.
Also look out for KeSean Washington, Jeremiah Wells, and T Jackson, according to head coach McKenzie Pierce.
Haywood (11-2) is led by Tylon Chatman at guard as he scores 19 points a night along with four assists and five rebounds. Janerus Snipe is a forward who also provided 12 points and eight rebounds a night.
“We attended the tournament last year and it was a great experience for us,” head coach Rodney Chatman said. “It helped us tremendously when we returned home for district play. So, we’re looking forward to some great competition.”
At 9-3, Germantown has high hopes as they come into the tournament led by Anthony Medlock, a 6-4 guard who scored at a 20 points per game clip.
“He is a great all-around player that is being recruited by several junior colleges and D1 schools,” Germantown head coach Retusha Spears said. He added that Hugh McFarland (13 ppg, 5.0 rpg), Ja’Cory Dixon (11 ppg, 6.0 apg, 5.0 rpg) should also be ones to watch.
“This will be my fourth time participating in this tournament and my first time with Germantown,” Spears, who coached at Kirby and came to Poplar Bluff three times, said. “I absolutely love this tournament. There are always top-notch teams to compete against. We have to come prepared and be on our A game so we don't get embarrassed.
“This is a basketball town and everyone, everywhere you go is knowledgeable about basketball and is excited about the games. I am excited to be back and hope to be back again in the future.”
The other teams did not report in their records and their marks could not be verified.
Poplar Bluff Showdown
Wednesday
Little Rock Christian vs. Haywood, 4 p.m.
Blytheville vs. Hillcrest, 5:30 p.m.
Poplar Bluff vs. Douglass, 7 p.m.
Springdale vs. Germantown, 8:30 p.m.
Thursday
Consolation semifinals: 4 p.m., 5:30 p.m.
Winner’s semifinals: 7 p.m., 8:30 p.m.
Friday
7th Place Game: 4 p.m.
5th Place Game: 5:30 p.m.
3rd Place Game: 7 p.m.
Championship: 8:30 p.m.