Tough competition toughens up Mules

Poplar Bluff Mules boys basketball coach William Durden said that playing top competition is the best way to prepare a team for a tough schedule.

The Mules spent a lot of time on the road during the first half of the season, competing in multiple tournaments around the area and the region. While some were successful, the others were a good learning experience.

According to Durden, the Mules have found a good flow with their play on the court, and the team’s chemistry is better than ever after playing in a few high-intensity matchups. While on the road, the Mules received a lot of praise for their behavior, and Durden said it comes naturally with a great group of student-athletes.

“I’ve really enjoyed coaching this group,” Durden said. “They’re a great group to coach and work hard every day. They’re low maintenance, and I don’t have to worry about much stuff because they’re good students. Sometimes, that just doesn’t show up in the win-loss column, but this is a great group to be around, and I think we’re getting better each game.”

The Mules are currently 10-7 on the season and have competed in six tournaments this season. They placed second in their latest tournament at the 2024 Kaminsky Classic and also took third in the SEMO Conference Tournament.

From the first tip-off until now, Durden said the Mules have made progress with weaknesses he was concerned about at the beginning of the season. He said the Mules’ ball movement has gotten much better offensively this year than last.

Though the Mules have shown tremendous growth, Durden is aware of the flaws he wants to correct come playoff time.

“We constantly have to be better in other areas because we’re trying to make up for our lack of size,” Durden said. “We’re not as physically as imposing as some of the other teams, but the kids’ energy and effort make up for much of that. They’re getting better every day, and I’m grateful to have one of those groups that you wish the season was seven months instead of the five that we do get together.”

Traveling for any team can become exhausting, but Durden said it’s the best test for the Mules, ensuring they have a game on the schedule to compete and get better each week.

Durden said most of the traveling involves filling out the scheduling for the year. He feels that to get better, a team sometimes needs to go and experience playing different teams from other areas. He said it makes them appreciate being in their area a little better, but having a challenging schedule each year helps them grow.

With a roster full of underclassmen, Durden has relied heavily on the Mules’ senior core to get them over the hump in tough games. Seniors Darius Graham, Mar’Lon Hickman-Roberson, Preston Moore and Isaiah Nevel have stepped up a lot this season, and Durden is proud to have a group of leaders on his squad.

“This is a great senior group,” he said. “They’ve worked hard since they’ve been here and they’re a close-knit group. Yeah. You often have teams that, even though they’re close, are still kind of cliquey, but these seniors pull everybody together. If we have 11 guys, they’re all together, and if we have 30 guys, they’re all sitting together and joking around. Having that on your team is the biggest plus about the senior group."

With many games left on the schedule, Durden said their plan going forward is to take everything one game at a time and try to get better where they can.