Bernie boys basketball team rolls into quarterfinals

Jerry Jarrell photo Bernie's Jordan McGowan (No. 44) powers his way inside against two Van Buren defenders during the Mules' 64-23 Sectional win Wednesday at Central High School in Park Hills.

Bernie's early offensive problems allowed Van Buren to just trail 15-10 after the first quarter, and the Bulldogs appeared up to the challenge against the state-ranked Mules when a basket by Kristopher Roberson cut the deficit to 15-12. But that would be the last points for the Bulldogs in the second as the Mules finished the period on a 10-0 run to take the momentum into half time.

"I thought we played really good defense the first half and I thought we played really good defense the second half, but at half time one of the things we thought we could do was make an adjustment with our offensive execution," Bernie coach Brad Botsch said after the game. "And I thought we came out after the half and executed much, much better on the offensive end and did what we wanted to do while we continued to play outstanding defense."

Bernie began to heat up on the offensive end midway through the third and back-to-back 3-pointers by Jake Owens and Jordan McGowan made it a 28-point game (45-17) as the Mules put 20 points on the board while limiting the Bulldogs to just five. A quick bucket by Jake Stevens to open the fourth put the mercy clock in motion as the Mules coasted home with the win to improve to 26-4 on the season.

McGowan finished with a game-high 23 points, while Smith added 11 and 13 rebounds and Jake Welch added 10 points and 10 assists.

Bernie's defense limited Van Buren to just 9-of-53 shooting and the Mules out rebounded the Bulldogs, 34-20. Daniel Newberry was the Bulldogs' leading scorer with 11 points.

With the win, Bernie moves into the quarterfinals against Hayti. That game will be played Saturday at 2:45 at Peters Gym in Poplar Bluff.

Last year Bernie was eliminated in the quarterfinals by Portageville, which went on to win a state title.

"I don't know who is going to win the other game, but it doesn't matter," Botsch said before knowing Hayti had also advanced. "We're going to prepare the same way and get out kids ready to play. I'm really proud of what we've accomplished thus far this season and we want to continue it from here.

"I think being that close last year is going to work in our favor," he continued. "These kids remember how close we were. They remember the feelings, they remember the tears, and I think that is going to add more fuel to our competitive desire to get the job done and get to Columbia.

"It won't be easy, and we know that, but I have a lot of confidence in our kids, and they will be ready."

Bernie defeated Hayti during the regular season, 77-39. A Bernie win will send the Mules to Columbia as one of four remaining teams looking to claim the Class 2 state championship.

in Class 2 eyeing the state title.