Written by
Dee Loflin, SMT Manager/Editor

Bloomfield, Missouri – The Bernie Mules defeated the Portageville Bulldogs and are just one game away of earning another District Title.  

“This was a tough game for us tonight,” commented Bernie’s head coach Brad Botsch.  “Portageville competed extremely hard and gave us all we wanted.  This time of the year, we just want to survive and advance and play as well as possible.  We did enough to get to play in the district championship and we’re excited about that.”

Jake Wagner had a game-high 18 points hitting three 3-pointers.  B.J. Jennings tallied 11 points for the Mules including two treys.  Brandon Sparks added a trey and Troy Kirkpatrick added two to help the Mules win the semi-final game.

A.V. Banks hit16 points for the Bulldogs including his two treys.  Chris Garmon added 10 points.

For a second straight season the Bernie Mules will compete against the South Pemiscot Bulldogs in the Class 2, District 1 Championship game on Friday night.  Game time is 7:30 p.m. 

"South Pemiscot is an extremely well-coached and athletic team,” Botsch stated. “We will have to play very well to come out on top Friday night.  Our kids will really have to rise up and leave it on the floor if we want to win it.”

Final Score Bernie 55  Portageville 48

Portageville     8   6 15 19 - 48

Bernie             8 13 22 12 - 55

Portageville (48) - Jaylin Mosby 8, Chris Garmon 10, Derrick Priggle 7, A.V. Banks 16, Caleb Gooch 7. FG 18, FT 8/21, F 20. (3-pointers: Jaylin Mosby 2, A.V. Banks 2. Fouled Out: none)

Bernie (55) - Jake Wagner 18, Brandon Sparks 6, B.J. Jennings 11, Troy Kirkpatrick 8, Justin Stanfield 2, Bubby Schwent 6, Joey Walker 4. FG 15, FT 17/25, F 18. (3-pointers: Jake Wagner 3, Brandon Sparks 1, B.J. Jennings 2, Troy Kirkpatrick 2. Fouled Out: Joey Walker)