KENNETT – The Poplar Bluff Mules extended their winning record with an 80-50 win on a road trip to Kennett High School Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024.

Poplar Bluff out of the gate went on a 7-1 run by the time the first timeout was called. Kennett's Chris Jefferson ended the rampage with a quick layup but Poplar Bluff junior guard Brendan Durden answered with a three-pointer to keep the momentum rolling. Preston Moore's eight points in the first pushed the Mules' momentum early on.

The Indians pulled within five points and Kennett's Ashton Dismukes was awarded a couple of free throws before moving on after the first quarter buzzer, but the Mules still led by eight points after the first quarter.

Poplar Bluff senior Darius Graham makes his way to the basket in a game at Kennett Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024.Photo by Christian Johnson, Delta Dunklin Democrat

“We came out with low energy,” Kennett head coach Fred Garmon said after the game. “We didn't come out ready to play, and that's on me and our coaching staff. We've got to do a better job of getting these guys ready to perform in the SEMO Conference.”

Kennett's D'Shun Wilson opened the second quarter of play with the Indians' first three-pointer of the night. To follow, the Mules went on an eight-point run to eventually lead 28-15 at a timeout. Trading buckets, fouls and three's, Poplar Bluff pulled ahead by double at 40-20. Kennett's Watson broke out, and with the help of Kaden Taylor and Wilson, the Indians went on a 6-1 break to end the half but still trailed by 15 points, with the Mules ahead 45-30.

Poplar Bluff's Mar'Lon Hickman-Robertson, Darius Graham and Durden combined for six to extend the lead early on in the third quarter. Kennett's Wilson pulled in a steal and cashed in for a layup before Poplar Bluff's Durden put up another three-pointer. The Mules widened the gap to a 20-point margin again as Durden nailed two and eventually closed out the third leading 64-42.

“We have to continue to guard,” Garmon stated. “We had a few good possessions where we guarded well, but then we give up an offensive rebound. We have to be tougher defensively, we've got to guard throughout possessions and we have to finish possessions.”

Kennett's Ashton Dismukes goes in for a layup in a game against Poplar Bluff Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024. Photo by Christian Johnson, Delta Dunklin Democrat

Poplar Bluff pushed Kennett into foul trouble early in the fourth quarter as Nevel and Graham both managed three-point plays and trips to the free throw line. Kennett's Ashton Dismukes drew several fouls in the last period but the Mules' Nicolai Kombet and Jaquan McIntosh each put in three-pointers to keep it up. Hovering around a 30-point lead through to the end, the Mules ended things with an even score again, 80-50.

Isaiah Nevel led Poplar Bluff in scoring with 16 points, Graham scored 14, Durden scored 12, Hickman-Robertson scored 11 and Moore scored nine points. Kennett was led by Ashton Dismukes with 16 points, while Watson and Wilson followed with 11 points each.

Poplar Bluff, now 11-7 on the season, hosts Cape Central while Kennett, now 4-10, travels to Malden both on Friday with varsity games set to tip off at 7:30 p.m.

Garmon said that, while the Indians now find themselves on a six-game losing streak, there have been “massive improvements” on both offense and defense in the last three games but tonight was a step back. Looking toward playing Malden, Garmon said, “If we don't have any toughness like we didn't have tonight, then they'll beat us. They'll be up and ready for us because of who we are.”