Mules take opener at Kaminsky Classic

JOPLIN, Mo. — The Poplar Bluff Mules outlasted the Carl Junction Bulldogs 53-45 in the opening round of the Kaminsky Classic Tournament Thursday night in Joplin.

Gavin Rivers led the Mules with 12 points, with Dallas Williams and Mar’Lon Hickman-Roberson scoring eight each.

Carl Junction’s top scorers were Cooper Vediz with a game-high 15 points, while Ayden Bard added 13.

“We didn’t play the best but still found a way to win,” said Poplar Bluff head coach William Durden.

The Mules move on to face Webb City in the tournament semifinals Friday at 9 p.m.

Poplar Bluff got off to a slow start, trailing 20-8 after the first quarter, committing eight turnovers.

An 18-9 second quarter, sparked by a 12-2 run, brough the Mules within three points (29-26) at halftime.

“We need to have a better start moving forward,” Durden said. “Our kids always play hard, but we need to play smarter.”

The Mules took their first lead, 31-29, with 6:13 remaining in the third quarter. They led 39-36 at the end of the third, outscoring Carl Junction 13-7.

The Mules again outscored the Bulldogs 14-9 in the fourth, running out the last minute in the offensive zone for the victory.

CLARKTON 40, HAYTI 35

The Clarkton Reindeer visited the Hayti Indians and left with the victory Thursday night.

Clarkton’s Owen Morgan led all scorers with 25 points, accounting for more than 60 percent of the Reindeer’s offense.

The Indians’ Jeremiah Brown scored 12 points, with teammate Jovon Turner adding eight.

GREENVILLE 73, WESTWOOD BAPTIST 46

The Greenville Bears ran away from the Westwood Baptist Eagles Thursday night in Poplar Bluff.

Ty Huffmaster led Greenville with 17 points, aided by Owen Scherr with 13, Easton Evans with 11, and Peyton Womble with 10.

SENATH-HORNERSVILLE 76, NEELYVILLE 65

The Senath-Hornersville Lions beat the visiting Neelyville Tigers 76-65 Thursday night.

Neelyville’s top scorer was Casen Stephens with 30 points. Teammate Preston Goodnight also scored 14 in a losing effort.

BUNKER 75, CLEARWATER 46

The Bunker Eagles ran away with their home game against the Clearwater Tigers Thursday night.

Bunker is No. 2 in Class 1, and Clearwater will play top-ranked in Class 1 South Iron Friday.

EAST CARTER 82, LESTERVILLE 35

The East Carter Redbirds ran away with a dominating victory over the host Lesterville Bearcats Thursday night.

“We came out and attacked the rim and were relentless with that style of play on offense,” said Redbirds head coach Jordan Penn.

“We came out aggressive on both sides,” Penn said, “and that’s how we have to play to win ball games.”

Micah Thompson led East Carter with 20 points, and teammate Kasen McCarty added 18 points to their tally.

“Proud of my guys tonight,” Penn said.

NAYLOR 65, MARQUAND-ZION 60

The Naylor Eagles beat the visiting Marquand-Zion Tigers Thursday night.

Naylor’s scoring leaders were Sam Rose with 18 points, Brock Woolard with 16 and Damian Thilman with 14.

SUMMERSVILLE 35, VAN BUREN 33

At Van Buren, the host Bulldogs dropped a close one to Big Springs Conference rival Summersville.

GIRLS

LIBERTY 54, DONIPHAN 48

The Doniphan Donettes fell to the Liberty Lady Eagles Thursday night at Mountain View.

The Donettes’ leading scorers were Gracen Kirby with 18 points and McKenna Monaghan with 12 points.

Liberty was paced by Reagan Wells with 18 points and Hadley Chowning with 17 points.

VAN BUREN 54, SUMMERSVILLE 30

The Van Buren Lady Dawgs hosted the Summersville Wildcats and walked away with the victory Thursday night.

Van Buren was led by Ella Wilbanks with 13 points and Madison Mabry with 10.

EAST CARTER 72, LESTERVILLE 52

At Lesterville, the Lady Redbirds used a strong second half to pull away from the Lesterville Lady Bearcats on Thursday.

East Carter led 31-25 at halftime and outscored Lesterville 25-13 in the third quarter to pull away for the win.

The Lady Redbirds were led by leading scorer Brooklyn Kearbey with 18 points. Her teammates Parker Golden and Honna Brown chipped in with 14 each.

Lesterville’s leading scorers were Reese Gray with 15 and Sidney Hawkins with 11.

NEELYVILLE 68, NAYLOR 22

The Lady Tigers beat visiting Naylor Lady Eagles Thursday night.

“Our team defense was the key tonight,” said Neelyville head coach Becky Hale. “We were also seeing each other well on offense.”

Neelyville’s top scorers were Parker Ernst, with a game-high 15 points and Ella Eaker added 11.

Samantha Mattingly scored eight points for Naylor, while teammate Chloe Mitchell added seven.

PUXICO 57, GREENVILLE 53

At Greenville, the Puxico Lady Indians edged the Greenville Lady Bears Thursday night.

Puxico’s Adi Denny led all scorers with 29 points, with teammate Laney Porter adding 15 to the Lady Indians tally.

Greenville’s Brianna DeSpain scored 17 points and Ariel West scored 10 for the Lady Bears.

BUNKER 80, CLEARWATER 14

At Bunker, the host Lady Eagles crushed the visiting Clearwater Lady Tigers Thursday night. Bunker led 33-5 after the first quarter, and Clearwater only managed to score another nine points.

Bunker’s leading scorers were Kaitlyn Belk with a game-high 21 points and Kinsey Barton with 17.

Makinlee Keister scored six points for the Lady Tigers, while teammate Jorja Eaton scored five.

KENNETT 57, MALDEN 28

The Kennett Lady Indians defeated the visiting Malden Lady Wave Thursday night.

Kennett was led by Taleigh Harrell, with a game-high 19 points and Tanja Carter with 12 points.

Malden’s Jada Townsend scored eight points, with Angela Dobbins adding seven.