C6D1: Mules open district play with Mehlville

The Poplar Bluff Mules plan to leave it all out on the court heading into the postseason.

The No. 4 seeded Mules are gearing up to compete in the Class 6 District 1 Tournament Wednesday at Kirkwood High School, and while coach William Durden said this season hasn’t been the easiest, he sees the growth in his team.

“The kids are excited about the postseason,” Durden said. “We’ve worked hard to get to where we are and the kids have continued to work hard. When you make it to this part of the season, it’s a grind trying to keep players motivated, but this group seems locked in.”

Coach Durden expects his team to be prepared for anything in the postseason. He credits them for having a tough schedule — and hopefully, playing better competition has them ready for any scheme another team tries to through their way.

Though the Mules (9-15) haven’t seen much success on the road, Durden looks at the postseason as a fresh start and believes his team has a good shot as the others.

“We played a tough season, and now we’re going in a district pretty healthy, so that’s a great thing for us,” he said.

“I think the kids have grown a lot this season. We came in without much varsity experience, but overall we are playing better, and I think we’ll be ready.”

The Mules will take on No. 5 seed Mehlville (12-12) in a quarterfinal matchup for an opportunity to play for the district championship.

“Our plan is just to go out there to play and have fun, we have nothing to lose,” Durden said. “I feel like there’s no pressure on us. If we were the defending champs, then maybe so, but we’re not. We just have to go out there and play our game of basketball.”

CLASS 6 DISTRICT 1 Tournament

At Kirkwood High School

Boys

WEDNESDAY

First round

Gym Location: Holley Assembly Hall

1) Kirkwood vs. 8) Fox, 5:30 p.m.

4) Poplar Bluff vs. 5) Mehlville, 7 p.m.

Gym Location: Denver Miller Gym

2) Jackson vs. 7) Oakville, 5:30 p.m.

3) Lindbergh vs. 5) Seckman, 7 p.m.

FRIDAY

Semifinals

1-8 winner vs. 4-5 winner, 5:30 p.m.

2-7 winner vs 3-6 winner, 7 p.m.

MONDAY

Championship

Semifinal winners, 6:30 p.m.