Bloomfield, Missouri - The #2 ranked Bernie Mules traveled to Bloomfield to play in the District Semi-Finals last night and they came to win!  They wasted no time building a lead against the #3 seeded Holcomb Hornets in the Class 2, District 1 boys semifinals.

"The Holcomb Hornets are a great team and they are well-coached." stated head coach Brad Botsch of the Bernie Mules.  "They always play hard-nosed disciplined basketball."

The Mules were on fire as they scored three 3-pointers within the first few minutes of the game, giving the crowd something to really cheer about.  The crowd standing on their feet, roared as each ball sank into the basket!

B.J. Jennings #12 hit two 3-pointers along with a 3-pointer from Sam Turner #45 to make it an 11 - 3 in just the first three minutes of the game.  Within just two more minutes the Bernie Mules were leading by a score of 19 - 3.  The Hornets didn't know what hit them and the game was extremely fast paced from the beginning.  The Mules maintained a 26-12 lead at the end of the first quarter.

"We had a very focused effort tonight.  This time of the year, it is all on the line and our kids came in loose from the start and executed what we wanted to do."  Coach Botch stated.  "Our guards really played well from the get-go, and got us going early and our kids stepped up and hit some shots early.  We just game out of the gate scoring!"

After a short break between quarters, the Holcomb Hornets seemed to a little more confident in their strategy as they cut the deficit to 26-12 at the 6:28 mark.  However the Mules fought back and increased their lead to 38-22 by halftime.

Coming out of the locker room at half-time seemed to give the Hornets some much needed confidence and to turn up the defensive pressure, but never got closer than nine point allowing Bernie to secure a spot in the District Finals on Friday night.

"We were just a step slower than Bernie tonight," state Holcomb's Head Coach Seth McBroom.  "It was a tough game and we have had a tough week with some adversity.  No one wants to hear excuses.  They played hard and I am proud of each and every one of them."

The Bernie Mules had four players in double digits.  B.J. Jennings, #12 lead the Mules with 20 points, Tory Kirkpatrick, #14 had 16 points, David Baker, #31 had 13 points and Landon Woods, #10 rounded out with 10 points on the evening.

B.J. Jennings hit three 3-pointers, five baskets and four field goals to lead the Mules to an awesome win.  Troy Kirkpatrick wasn't far behind him with his 16 points which included four 3-pointers and he was four for four from the free-throw-line.

"The Mules were unbelievable in the first half and really throughout the game," Coach McBroom added.  "They know how to play ball and it is a testament to them and their coach.  You have to tip your hat to them tonight!"

Coach Botsch said, "I am really proud of my guys for getting this win, but we must keep our eye on the ultimate goal.  It is so difficult to win district championships, and the opportunity to get another one is there for us.  South Pemiscot will be ready and they are a very good team.  We will have to play very well to win!"

Hornets senior Jamie Massey #32 scored a team-high of 27 points with 19 of those points in the second half.  Massey finishes his high school career with 2,019 points.  "What an amazing career with 2,000 points, 1,000 rebounds and over 300 blocks," McBroom stated.  "He has unbelievable character.

Holcomb finished its season with a record of 23-5.  They won the 16-team Bloomfield Christmas Tournament for the first time in school history.  They also finished undefeated against Tri-County Conference teams and won the Tri-County Conference Tournament for a second straight season.  "Everyone in the school needs to thank them," Coach McBroom said of their accomplishments.  I can't thank them enough or tell them I love them enough as they know that because they are part of my family.  It has been an awesome four years with those seniors!"

Holcomb will be graduating Tyler Lewis #5, Chase Davis #1, Aaron Sikes #14, Lance Ruff #21, James Vance #30, Jamie Massey #32 and Michael Glover #33 from its historic 2012-2013 team.

Final Score Bernie Mules 70, Holcomb Hornets 49. 

The Bernie Mules will be back in action on Friday, February 22nd at 7:30 p.m.  They will look for their fourth district title in the last five seasons as they compete against the South Pemiscot Bulldogs out of Steele, Missouri for the District 1 Championship Title for Class 2.   South Pemiscot is ranked #5 and has upset 4th seeded Portageville Bulldogs and top-seeded Hayti Indians to advance to the district tournament finale.

The Bernie Basketball team has a Facebook page, Bernie Basketball.  Send them your best! Go Bernie Mules!  They are Souled Out!