Mules open the season against Kickapoo at home

Tie up your shoes and tuck in your laces because the most engaging and captivating sport around has finally returned to Poplar Bluff.

The Poplar Bluff Mules basketball season has arrived, and they will kick off their season on Saturday with a big test as they host last season’s Class 6, District 5 state runners-up, the Kickapoo Chiefs.

The Mules had very little time to prepare for the season, with some of their players being committed to the gridiron. Luckily, the football season has ended, and head coach Will Durden will have a full roster for the opening game.

Durden said the weeks have flown by quickly, but they’ve been in the gym nonstop preparing for tip-off. The Mules will have many new faces this season, along with some key returners where he hopes they can take the next step beyond the regular season.

“We’ve had some good practices so far,” Durden said. “The season definitely came back around quickly, but we got some good work in. We have a lot of new young kids and a good group of returning guys who will come in and work hard as an example for the newcomers. Overall, we’ve had some good sessions, and I’m looking forward to tip-off.”

Typically, most teams have the chance to participate in a jamboree to iron out the kinks before the season, but Durden said it’s always hard for them because they normally plan on football having a deep run in the playoffs.

“It’s not uncommon for us not to have any preseason competition,” Durden said.” “We rarely have any time to squeeze in any games before the season. There are tryouts and then waiting to get some of our players back off the football field, and you just never know when you’re going to get some of those kids back. Regardless, we have to be ready to go whenever that buzzer sounds.”

The Mules will have a lot on their plate when taking on the Kickapoo Chiefs. For the past 11 years, they’ve finished with a high percentage winning record, multiple district champ wins, a state championship win in 2021 and many state appearances.

Durden said it will be a huge test for them, but it will give them the opportunity to see what they need to fix or what they need to focus on to be better.

“Kickapoo has a true traditional great program over there year after year,” he said. “They placed second in last year’s state tournament, and I know it’s going to be an extremely tough test. This good team is well-coached, with good athletes who play basketball year-round. We’re going need to be sharp and just play our game, but it won’t be easy.”