WAYNESVILLE, Mo. — After scoring the first points of the game, the Poplar Bluff boys basketball team struggled to find the bottom of the net Friday night at the Route 66 Shootout.
State-ranked Parkview stymied the Mules to win 67-47 at Waynesville High School.
Darian Webb scored 15 points to lead the Mules while Gage Rivers and Gavin Rivers each added eight points. Torrence Williams had five points and Frentress Williams chipped in four along with Nic Brumitt for the Mules, who shot under 40%, including 2 of 13 from 3-point range.
Poplar Bluff (5-2) plays host Waynesville at 3:30 p.m. Saturday.
Parkview (5-2) was led by 21 points from Elijah Whitley, 15 from fellow senior Shane Glass and Xzavia McArthur’s 10 points.
Webb scored the first points of the game but the Mules came up empty on their next six possessions as Parkview scored nine straight points.
The Vikings, ranked No. 6 in Class 5 of the latest state coaches poll, took a 14-8 lead into the second quarter.
After the teams traded 3-pointers, Parkview scored six straight points to lead by 12 with 5:13 left in the half.
The Mules never got closer than eight before five straight points ending with a 3 by Parker to give Parkview a 28-15 lead.
The margin was still 13 at the half as the Vikings led 33-20.
Poplar Bluff scored the first four points of the second half to get within nine, but the Vikings scored on their next four possessions to lead by 42-25 after a Whitley 3-pointer.
Parkview took a 47-32 lead into the fourth quarter.
The Vikings edged Poplar Bluff 65-63 last year in the Shootout.
After playing Waynesville, the Mules will have a full week to prepare for the 34th Poplar Bluff Showdown.
The Mules will open against Forrest City (Ark.) at 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 27. The tournament also features Fayetteville, Arkansas, Haywood from Brownsville, Tennessee, Memphis Central, Memphis Overton, Raytown South and South Side from Jackson, Tennessee.
Tickets for the Showdown will be $8 per day and are on sale at the PBHS athletic department office.