Tale of the tape | No. 4 Poplar Bluff vs No. 1 Sikeston

Poplar Bluff’s Preston Moore puts up a jumper during the Mules’ win over Jackson on Tuesday in the SEMO Conference Tournament at Sikeston High School.

DAR/Tyler Dixon

After a gritty, overtime victory over Jackson in the first round of the SEMO Conference Boys Basketball Tournament on Tuesday at Sikeston High School, the Poplar Bluff Mules cemented their spot in Thursday’s semifinals with a matchup against the host and top-seeded Bulldogs.

Poplar Bluff and Sikeston tip at 6 p.m. with Cape Central and New Madrid County Central tipping in the second semifinal at 7:30 p.m. The championship game is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. on Friday.

The Bulldogs cruised by Kennett 90-37 in their opening game of the conference tournament as the Bulldogs have state championship aspirations.

Dontrez Williams (18 ppg) and PJ Farmer (14.3 ppg) lead the Sikeston offense as they’ll match up with the formidable duo of Torrence Williams and Preston Moore, along with the assortment of other Mules.

Poplar Bluff is facing a three-game losing streak against the Bulldogs, including a loss in last year’s SEMO Conference Tournament. The Mules’ last two wins against Sikeston both came during tournament play with one coming in the 2021 conference tournament and the other coming just 10 days earlier in the Fountain City Classic.

“We’re going to have to take care of the ball,” PB head coach Will Durden said. “Sikeston is a team of runs and you could be up by two and the next time you look, you’re down by 12. We’re going to have to sustain the run and match their intensity.”

The Mules and Bulldogs tip at 6 p.m. inside the renovated Sikeston Field House.