Bluff wins top 5 battle

Fans lined up for more than an hour to get into the Jackson High School gymnasium on Friday night to get a seat for the big matchup between two top five Class 5 boys basketball schools.

With a capacity crowd of more than 1,100 packed in like sardines, No. 2 Poplar Bluff -- last year's Class 5 state champion -- spoiled the No. 5 Indians' big night with a 77-53 win.

The loss was the first of the season for Jackson, which fell to 13-1.

"You've got to give our fans credit," Jackson coach Darrin Scott said. "They got here early. They cheered till the end. Our players didn't give up, and our fans didn't give up."

After playing in front of crowds averaging near 2,000 for much of the season, including a game played on the ESPN2 network, Poplar Bluff was ready for the ruckus atmosphere.

"It was nice playing in an atmosphere like this. We've seen it a lot," Mules star Tyler Hansbrough said. "We didn't have stage fright. The thing is, we needed to use our energy throughout the game."

Poplar Bluff trailed by two points after one quarter and appeared to be a little low on energy at the start, but by halftime the Mules (11-2) were ahead 16 points and cruised from there. Hansbrough, who signed with the University of North Carolina in the fall, hit his season average with a game-high 30 points.

Hansbrough said it simply took the Mules a little while to get used to Jackson's game.

"I just think we saw what they were about and got used to their style," he said.

While the Mules outscored Jackson 40-32 in the second half and led by 14 points or more throughout the second half, it was a big second quarter that proved to be the key to the game. Hansbrough scored 15 points in the quarter, and Poplar Bluff outscored Jackson 25-7.

"That second quarter, you just can't get down like that," Scott said.

Jackson, ahead by five points at one point, led 14-12 after one quarter. Poplar Bluff tied the score at 14 less than a minute in to the second, and the Mules took the lead just seconds later on a Brad Chronister layin.

Hansbrough scored 14 of Poplar Bluff's first 18 points in the quarter, as Jackson simply did not have an answer for the 6-foot-9 senior. Jackson cut the lead to 22-19 on a Jack Puisis free throw, but Poplar Bluff answered with a 10-0 run to pull away.

Puisis, Jackson's leading scorer, was held to only one point in the first half and finished with 8.

"The keys for me is I think our post payers played well, they just did a good job guarding Jack," Scott said.

Ryan Mirly, a 6-8 senior, led Jackson with 15 points. Tyler Beussink added 12 points for Jackson, and Aaron Redecker finished with 7 points, including two dunks.

"I thought Aaron was really aggressive and looked to get something done," Scott said.

Ben Hansbrough, Tyler Hansbrough's younger brother, added 27 points for Poplar Bluff.

While the Indians do not have another game against Poplar Bluff on their schedule, the two teams could meet in the Class 5 District 1 finals.

Scott said whatever the outcome of Friday's game, it was important for his team to come away knowing they can compete with the Mules.

"We have to believe we can compete and beat them," Scott said. "Now we have a good feel for what we have to do."

Poplar Bluff 77, Jackson 53

Poplar Bluff 12 25 20 20 -- 77

Jackson 14 7 16 16 -- 53

POPLAR BLUFF (77) -- Tyler Hansbrough 30, Ben Hansbrough 27, Allan Spencer 7, Brad Chronister 5, Ross Whelan 6, Todd Tinsley 2. FG 27, FT 22-34, F 9 (3-pointers: Chronister 1. Fouled out: none)

JACKSON (53) -- Ryan Mirly 15, Tyler Beussink 12, Jack Puisis 8, Kyle Pridemore 6, Cody Cardwell 5, Aaron Redecker 7. FG 22, FT 6-9, F 23 (3-pointers: Beussink 1, Cardwell 1, Puisis 1. Fouled out: none)

JV: Poplar Bluff 56, Jackson 41