POWER 8: Bears make biggest leap

*Note – this poll was based on action finalized on Wednesday.

The Greenville Bears take the biggest leap in the poll following its win over No. 1 and defending Class 1 champions South Iron and a big 26-point win over Neelyville Tuesday night.

Ellington’s girls were creeping up the ranks, but dropped a home decision against Poplar Bluff on Thursday and took a tumble.

Dexter and Doniphan’s boys continue to lounge around the rankings while Poplar Bluff’s wrestling program finished second out of two-dozen teams at St. Charles to make a statement.

POWER 8

Doniphan girls basketball (1): Their only game was an 81-22 win over Greenville and next up the Donettes (13-1) host Neelyville tonight and then head to Dexter Tuesday with a trip to Clearwater the next day.

Three Rivers women’s basketball (2): The Lady Raiders beat John A. Logan by 28 on the road in their only action over the past seven days and remained 17th in the country. They head to State Fair Saturday and then to Jefferson the following Wednesday.

Dexter boys basketball (5): The Bearcats are 11-4 and have two big-margin wins to show for their last week including a 48-28 win at Bernie. Tonight they take on Stoddard County rival Puxico, then head to Central (New Madrid) on Friday before tipping off in the SCCA tournament next week.

Greenville boys basketball (6): The Bears made a statement by beating South Iron and then following it up with a sizable win over Neelyville. Greenville’s inside-out balance will face off Friday against visiting and surging Puxico and then they travel to Scott City Wednesday.

Poplar Bluff wrestling (8): Taking second at a big tournament and bringing home four individual titles pushes the Mules into the top five. They have the SEMO Conference Tournament this weekend which will take place Friday and Saturday.

Doniphan boys basketball (7): The Dons only game since last week defeat to Caruthersville was 73-41 win over host Naylor Wednesday. They were to host East Prairie Friday and then head to Clearwater next week.

Dexter girls basketball (new): They won at Neelyville last week and then took a loss against state power Park Hills Central. Next up is tonight’s home game against Woodland and Tuesday’s tilt against visiting Doniphan.

Neelyville girls basketball (3): They took two hard losses on the chin to Dexter and Saxony this past week before taking care of business at Greenville Wednesday night. Next up, they travel to Neelyville tonight for a rematch of their narrow Lady Royals Christmas Class semifinal. They are currently 13-4.

Honorable mention: Puxico boys basketball (12-3), Malden boys basketball (11-5), Ellington girls basketball (7-6), East Carter girls basketball (11-4), Twin Rivers boys basketball (9-7), Clarkton boys basketball (9-7).

Considering for final poll: Poplar Bluff football, Van Buren cross country, Dexter cross country, Neelyville softball, Doniphan softball.