Pattillo's decision to resign opens job at Poplar Bluff

John David Pattillo, who coached the Poplar Bluff boys basketball team to the last two Class 5 state championships and a 157-90 record in nine seasons, announced Friday he was resigning his position.

"I really want to spend my time with my family," Pattillo told the Daily American Republic.

He and his wife, Kathy, a sixth-grade teacher at Poplar Bluff, have four children.

Poplar Bluff superintendent Randy Winston said the district hopes to have a candidate for the school board by June 16.

Poplar Bluff was 4-20 in Pattillo's first season. He led the program to four straight district titles and three straight final four appearances.

Jackson returns to poll

The Jackson girls soccer team entered the I-55 Classic with a 13-2-1 record.

The Indians on Wednesday returned to the Missouri State High School Soccer Coaches Association rankings for Class 2, moving into the No. 13 spot. Jackson was just out of the top 15 in the April 20 poll and was No. 14 in the first poll of the year on April 6.

St. Vincent received two votes in the Class 1 poll, down from four two weeks ago. Notre Dame received one vote.

Nerinx Hall tops the Class 2 poll for the third time, and Festus St. Pius overtook John Burroughs atop the Class 1 rankings.