Charleston might have the best team in the area

All year long, most have considered Poplar Bluff to be the best team in Southeast Missouri.

The Mules have backed it up with 14 wins and just one loss, which came against Little Rock powerhouse Mills High.

Poplar Bluff is good, no doubt about it. Definitely a contender in Class 5 this year.

But are they the best around?

I'm not so sure.

When Charleston is playing its best, they're awful tough to beat.

The Bluejays showed their potential at the seMissourian tournament and in recent wins over Notre Dame, Sikeston and NMCC.

Can they beat the highly-touted Mules? We will find out in the final week of the regular season, when Bluff travels to Charleston on Feb. 21. That will be the game of the year. This Friday, the Bluejays take on a lesser opponent in Scott Central. Not as much to talk about in that matchup.

Final score: Charleston 83, Scott Central 50

Doniphan at Sikeston

Doniphan is a better team than its 5-6 record indicates. The Dons got a late start to the season, with several games canceled in December due to bad weather. Now, they're starting to come around.

They've beaten quality teams like Twin Rivers and Kennett, and played Dexter tough. This is no guaranteed win for Sikeston, which has lost five of its last six.

With the Superman Classic right around the corner, the Bulldogs can't let this one slip away on Friday night.

Final score: Sikeston 60, Doniphan 55

Kelly at Chaffee

Major Burger is out of Kelly's lineup, but Lee Zeigler has returned. With him, Chris Romas and Lance Scheffer, the Hawks should have no problem posting win number six against the sickly Red Devils...if the game is played at all.

Final score: Kelly 73, Chaffee 60

NMCC at Cape Central

This might be the most interesting game of the week. NMCC is way down compared to last year, checking in with a record of 4-9.

It's hard to get a true read on the Eagles though, considering 10 of their 13 opponents have been out of state.

Cape Central is the safe pick, but I'm going the other way. NMCC is due for an eye-opening win.

Final score: NMCC 62, Cape Central 50

South Pem at Portageville

The Portageville Bulldogs have quietly won seven of their last eight games. If Thursday's matchup with Dexter doesn't take too much gas out of the tank, South Pemiscot shouldn't be a problem on Friday.

Final score: Portageville 82, South Pem 70

Delta at East Prairie

Jordan Sanders and Matt Boyer will decide this game from behind the 3-point line. If they shoot a decent percentage, the Eagles win.

Final score: East Prairie 55, Delta 54

Dexter at Bernie

Will the Bearcats hit the century mark for the fourth time this year?

No, but they'll come close.

Final score: Dexter 98, Bernie 75

Holcomb at Oran

With a blowout against Zalma on Tuesday and Holcomb on tap for Friday, this week is obviously a tuneup for the Scott-Mississippi Conference Tournament. Looks like another easy win for the Eagles.

Final score: Oran 65, Holcomb 53

Advance at Richland

Advance hasn't been setting the world on fire this year but conference opponent Richland shouldn't be any problem.

Final score: Advance 78, Richland 40