Mules, Lady Mules drop road contests

PARK HILLS, Missouri — The Park Hills Central Rebels and the Poplar Bluff Mules combined to score 177 points Thursday night.

Unfortunately for the visiting Mules, they came out on the short end of a 96-81 decision at the hand of one of the best teams in Class 4.

The Rebels held a double-digit lead for most of the game, with a 54-39 lead at the half and 82-60 after the third period.

Central’s Joby Bryant led all scorers with a game-high 35 points. Teammate Mason Williams chipped in with 22 points.

The Mules were led in scoring by Gavin Rivers with 15 points and Isaiah Nevel with 14. Darius Graham added 13 points for Poplar Bluff, while Preston Moore finished with 12.

GIRLS

Kennett 53, Poplar Bluff 44

The Kennett Lady Indians defeated the visiting Poplar Bluff Lady Mules Thursday night.

Kennett led at the end of every quarter, taking a 29-18 advantage into the half and leading 43-31 at the end of the third period.

E’Marriha Johnson led the Indians with 15 points. Teammate Tayja Carter added 12 points to Kennett’s tally.

The Lady Mules’ top scorers were Kennedy Zgaynor with 14 points and Madelyn Eads with 12.

C3D1

Twin Rivers 40, Malden 38

In the Class 3 District 1 semifinals at Portageville, the Twin Rivers Lady Royals edged the Malden Lady Wave Thursday night.

Second-seeded Malden led the third-seeded Royals 20-17 at halftime, but Twin Rivers outscored the Green Wave 23-18 in the second half to advance to the finals.

“This was a great team effort and win,” said Twin Rivers head coach David Crockett. “I’m super proud of every one of my girls. They battled and fought for four quarters.”

The Royals were led by Hannah Bader with a game-high 13 points. Teammate Reese Crismon added eight points.

Malden’s leading scorer was Jada Townsend with 10 points.

Twin Rivers will face the top-seeded Portageville Lady Bulldogs in the finals Saturday at 6 p.m.

C1D1

Naylor 65, Scott County Central 32

In the Class 1 District 1 semifinals Thursday night at Naylor, the third-seeded Naylor Lady Eagles defeated the No. 2 Scott County Central Bravettes.

“I’m really proud of my team,” said Naylor head coach Logan Foster. “This is the second year in a row we have played in the district championship game. I’m excited for my team, especially my two seniors, Harley Sullivan and Zoey Sprous.”

Sullivan led all scorers with a game-high 21 points, and Sprous was close behind with 19 points.

Central’s leading scorer was Nikki Adams with 13 points.

Naylor will square off against top-seeded Delta in the final Saturday at 6 p.m.

C2D3

St. Vincent 55, Greenville 27

At the Class 2 District 3 semifinals in Advance, the Greenville Lady Bears fell to the top-seeded St. Vincent Indians Thursday night.

A Perryville school, St. Vincent featured four players in double figures, including leading scorer Cailyn Prost with 14 points.

“We came out tight tonight and got in some early foul trouble,” said Greenville head coach Chris Hahn. “St. Vincent did a great job on us defensively.”

Ashlyn West led the fifth-seeded Lady Bears with eight points, while Brianna DeSpain had six.

“I’m proud of our group and of our senior, Matti Looney,” Hahn said. “We ended the year where our last two game had great attitude and effort. Hopefully we can take that into next year.”

St. Vincent will play for the district championship Saturday at 2 p.m.