Missouri
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — A pair of area Clarence Cannon Conference standouts received all-state honors from the Missouri Basketball Coaches Association. Palmyra senior Candra King and South Shelby junior Callie McWilliams were named to the 20-player Class 3 team. Also receiving all-state nods from the CCC were the Centralia duo of Braylin Brunkhorst and Ryenn…
Read Full Article HANNIBAL, Mo. — Four area basketball players were named Player of the Year in their respective districts by the Missouri Basketball Coaches Association and four coaches received the top district honor as well. The MBCA all-district selections are not based on district tournament performances. They are supposed to be an overview of the entire season…
Read Full Article HANNIBAL, Mo. — A week before the high school baseball season officially begins, Hannibal hosted a jamboree at the Veterans Field complex with Palmyra and Bowling Green taking part. Photographer Mathew Kirby spent time at the field Saturday and put together this photo gallery:
Read Full Article HANNIBAL, Mo. — Pickleball is not only the fastest-growing sport, it is also a welcoming sport. Newcomers are always encouraged to join, especially during Drop-in Pickleball, which will be offered Tuesday night at the Admiral Coontz Recreation Center from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. on March 5, 12, 19 and 26 and on April 9, 16,…
Read Full Article PALMYRA, Mo. — The St. Louis Priory boys basketball team had not beaten an opponent with a winning record. Until Tuesday night. That’s when Priory stunned heavily favored Palmyra 40-29 in a Class 3 sectional game played before a crowd of about 1,200. Priory, which entered the evening with a rather pedestrian 14-14 record and…
Read Full Article CANTON, Mo. — As they walked to the locker room at halftime trailing by only two points, the Canton boys basketball team found themselves with a legitimate chance to earn a spot in the Class 2 state quarterfinals. Trace Combs put an end to those hopes. Combs, a junior southpaw guard, scored 12 of his…
Read Full Article SHELBINA, Mo. — Belle Roush didn’t come out of the locker room at the start of the second half Monday night. Her teammates didn’t let it faze them. The South Shelby girls basketball team’s all-conference junior forward scored 12 points in the first half to stake the Lady Birds to a 27-21 lead over Elsberry…
Read Full Article COLUMBIA, Mo. — A perfect day with a perfect ending. A perfect place in history accompanied it, too. That’s what the Hannibal wrestling team earned Saturday. The Pirates had eight grapplers earn individual medals — three won championships — at the Class 3 state tournament at Mizzou Arena, enabling them to pile up an insurmountable…
Read Full Article PALMYRA, Mo. — Different day, same approach. And more importantly, the same result. Just ask Jeremiah Edwards. “Defense is always our top priority,” Edwards said. “We know our offense will always pick up.” Edwards, a 6-foot-1 block-of-granite power forward for the Palmyra boys basketball team, was one of several Panthers extolling the virtues of their…
Read Full Article COLUMBIA, Mo. — Cody Culp wasn’t making the same mistake twice. A year after finishing as the Class 3 state runner-up at 138 pounds, the Hannibal senior wrestler didn’t allow his emotions to alter his approach before wrestling for the title at 144 pounds Saturday night at Mizzou Arena. “Last year, I was super nervous…
Read Full Article COLUMBIA, Mo. — Tristen Essig’s familiarity with his opponent in Saturday night’s 132-pound championship match at the Class 3 state wrestling tournament gave him a blueprint for succes. “He knew I was going to be coming at him in neutral and pressuring forward,” Essig said of North Point’s Kaden Purler, who he had beaten twice…
Read Full Article COLUMBIA, Mo. — The experience of battling with seniors daily in the wrestling room continues to pay off for Austin Brown. Now a state champion, he’ll be the one setting the tone in the future. Brown changed the momentum of the 113-pound title match against Carl Junction’s Carter Foglesong by getting a reversal with 18…
Read Full Article QUEEN CITY, Mo. — Preston Brewer’s 6-foot-7 presence in the lane becomes a focal point for every opponent the Canton boys basketball team faces. Chris Alspaw’s job is to alleviate some of that pressure and force teams to extend their defense. Saturday, Alspaw and Brewer did their duties to perfection. Alspaw softened Schuyler County’s defense…
Read Full Article COLUMBIA, Mo. — To win the Class 3 state championship, the Hannibal wrestling team needed more than its three individual titleists to separate itself from the field. That’s where the depth in the Pirates’ lineup paid off. Senior Koen Ramage finished second at 157 pounds and four others navigated the wrestlebacks to reach the podium…
Read Full Article COLUMBIA, Mo. — The Hannibal wrestling team made history Saturday night, winning the Class 3 state championship to become just the second boys team in school history to hoist a crown. The Pirates join the 1930 boys indoor track team as state champions. The Pirates had three individual champions — sophomore Austin Brown at 113…
Read Full Article PALMYRA, Mo. — While the regular season matchups belonged to Palmyra, the South Shelby girls basketball team still owns the postseason. The second-seeded Lady Birds outscored the top-seeded Panthers 21-2 during a 6 1/2-minute stretch beginning late in the third quarter Friday night to erase a six-point deficit and pull away for a 63-50 victory…
Read Full Article QUINCY — Here are the results of the Illinois boys regional championship and Missouri girls district championships and the sectional matchups from both sides of the Mississippi River. The Missouri boys district championships will be decided Saturday. Illinois girls Class 3A Decatur MacArthur Sectional Tuesday, February 20 Game 1 — Quincy Notre Dame 63, Mahomet-Seymour…
Read Full Article Pirates' pursuit of state wrestling championship off to solid start with eight grapplers still alive
COLUMBIA, Mo. — The title pursuit is in full swing. The Hannibal wrestling team had six grapplers each win twice Thursday and reach the semifinal round of the Class 3 state tournament, while two others rebounded from losses to remain alive in the wrestlebacks to give the Pirates a shot at the team title. Hannibal…
Read Full Article COLUMBIA, Mo. — The loss that sent Palmyra junior wrestler Brayden Pillars to the blood round and jeopardized a spot on the podium wasn’t easy to shake. “It was a little stressful at first,” said Pillars, who suffered a quarterfinal loss to Maysville senior Brendan Barton in the 165-pound weight class in the Class 1…
Read Full Article COLUMBIA, Mo. — Elly Lorenson finished on a high note. Back-to-back losses Thursday in the Class 1 girls state wrestling tournament at Mizzou Arena sent the Palmyra junior into the fifth-place match at 170 pounds, but Lorenson responded by pinning Lexington’s Karalena Steinhauser to punctuate her spot on the podium. Lorenson dominated Steinhauser, building a…
Read Full Article PALMYRA, Mo. — The state-ranked Palmyra boys basketball team didn’t waste any time living up to the No. 1 district seed. Hudson Bock buried five 3-pointers in the first quarter Thursday night as the Panthers rolled to a 58-25 victory over Clark County in the Class 3 District 6 semifinals. Palmyra (25-1) will face third-seeded…
Read Full Article QUINCY — Here are the updated Illinois and Missouri postseason basketball brackets: Illinois girls Class 3A Decatur MacArthur Sectional Tuesday, February 20 Game 1 — Quincy Notre Dame 63, Mahomet-Seymour 46 Game 2 — Chatham Glenwood 51, Mt. Zion 34 Thursday, February 22 Game 3 — Chatham Glenwood 44, Quincy Notre Dame 43 Effingham Sectional…
Read Full Article PALMYRA, Mo. — Sydney Compton and Clare Williams each scored five first-quarter points as the Palmyra girls basketball team built a 10-point advantage and rolled to a 49-38 victory over Macon in Wednesday night’s Class 3 District 6 semifinals. The Tigerettes scored 15 second-quarter points to trim the deficit to six at halftime, but the…
Read Full Article QUINCY — Here are the updated brackets for Illinois and Missouri postseason basketball tournaments. Illinois girls Class 3A Decatur MacArthur Sectional Tuesday, February 20 Game 1 — Quincy Notre Dame 63, Mahomet-Seymour 46 Game 2 — Chatham Glenwood 51, Mt. Zion 34 Thursday, February 22 Game 3 — Quincy Notre Dame vs. Chatham Glenwood, 6…
Read Full Article COLUMBIA, Mo. — Elly Lorenson is halfway to a state championship. The Palmyra junior won her first two matches at the Missouri Class 1 girls wrestling state tournament at Mizzou Arena on Wednesday to reach the semifinals at 170 pounds. Two victories Thursday will make her the first girls state champion from this area. Lorenson,…
Read Full Article COLUMBIA, Mo. — Palmyra junior Brayden Pillars is one victory away from the podium. Pillars went 2-1 on Wednesday’s opening day of the Missouri Class 1 boys state wrestling tournament at Mizzou Arena and will need to win a blood round match Thursday morning to guarantee himself a top-six finish. Pillars (37-10) will face Tipton’s…
Read Full Article QUINCY — Here is a look at what transpired Tuesday night with Illinois girls sectionals and Missouri boys districts and a schedule for Wednesday’s action. Illinois girls Class 3A Decatur MacArthur Sectional Tuesday, February 20 Game 1 — Quincy Notre Dame 63, Mahomet-Seymour 46 Game 2 — Chatham Glenwood 51, Mt. Zion 34 Thursday, February…
Read Full Article QUINCY — Here is a look at the scores and schedules for postseason play throughout West Central Illinois and Northeast Missouri: Illinois girls Class 3A Decatur MacArthur Sectional Tuesday, February 20 Game 1 — Quincy Notre Dame vs. Mahomet-Seymour, 6 p.m. Game 2 — Mt. Zion vs. Chatham Glenwood, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, February 22 Game…
Read Full Article PALMYRA, Mo. — Elly Lorenson has no quit in her. The field assembled for this week’s Missouri Class 1 girls state wrestling tournament better realize that. The Palmyra junior is making her third consecutive state appearance beginning Wednesday at Mizzou Arena, having won a district championship at 170 pounds. It is her second district title…
Read Full Article PALMYRA, Mo. — Now the real fun begins. The Palmyra boys basketball team capped a perfect run through the Clarence Cannon Conference on Saturday afternoon en route to securing its 19th straight victory — a 54-30 vanquishing of Highland. Next on the Panthers’ to-do list is to make a strong run in the Class 3…
Read Full Article PALMYRA, Mo. — The Highland girls basketball team’s play in the second half Saturday afternoon bordered on the inexplicable. The Cougars, who at one point in the first quarter appeared to be on life support, completely overwhelmed Palmyra over the closing two periods to take a 47-38 Clarence Cannon Conference victory in the regular-season finale.…
Read Full Article WENTZVILLE, Mo. — The Hannibal boys wrestling team is taking a strong contingent of grapplers, a district championship and the hope for more to the Class 3 state tournament. The Pirates had five grapplers win district titles Saturday, while five others finished in the top four as they all qualified for the Class 3 state…
Read Full Article MARCELINE, Mo. — The Palmyra boys wrestling team is sending two grapplers to the Class 1 state tournament. Brayden Pillars, a junior, finished second at 165 pounds Saturday in the Class 1 District 3 tournament, while sophomore Tyler Spicknall finished third at 132 pounds. They will wrestle in the two-day state tournament beginning Wednesday at…
Read Full Article HANNIBAL, Mo. — The Palmyra boys and girls basketball teams, both ranked in Class 3 in the Missouri Basketball Coaches Association polls, continued to show Tuesday night why they are considered among the state’s elite. The Palmyra girls used a fourth-quarter surge to put away Hannibal 51-36 at Korf Gym. The Panthers, ranked seventh, limited…
Read Full Article PALMYRA, Mo. — Enough was enough. About halfway through the first quarter Thursday night, Palmyra girls basketball coach Kelsey Stuart had witnessed her club commit too many turnovers, miss way too many free throws and play a generally ineffective brand of basketball. She called for a timeout. What was actually said during that break in…
Read Full Article PALMYRA, Mo. — Bear Bock found himself with what looked to be a breakaway layup in the second half, only to eventually run into some Bowling Green defenders blocking his path to the basket. No problem. Bock fired a behind-the-back pass to trailing teammate Luke Sheppard, who secured the toss and cashed in a layup.…
Read Full Article MONROE CITY, Mo. — Palmyra took another huge step toward the Clarence Cannon Conference boys basketball championship Tuesday night. The storyline was a familiar one. “Defense,” Palmyra coach Brian Rea said. “It’s always defense.” There’s absolutely no arguing that point. The 48-25 victory over arch-rival Monroe City — which, like Palmyra, entered the game unbeaten…
Read Full Article MONROE CITY, Mo. — Palmyra girls basketball coach Kelsey Stuart referred to the rather one-sided 50-28 victory over rival Monroe City as “unfinished business.” There might have been a wink in her eye when she said that. At the very least, there was the distinct hint of a wry smile. Palmyra made no secret of…
Read Full Article PALMYRA, Mo. — Brian Rea offered a hint late Friday night as to why the Palmyra boys basketball team enjoys playing defense so much. “It’s a mindset, and it’s a testament to our guys who have totally bought into it,” said Rea, the second-year coach whose club is now 19-1 following a 47-25 Clarence Cannon…
Read Full Article HANNIBAL, Mo. — Trout harvesting can begin at Huckleberry Lake beginning Thursday, Feb. 1, with a limit of four per day. Additionally, a trout permit is required for all anglers regardless of age in addition to the prescribed fishing permit to possess and transport trout. The lake was stocked with 725 rainbow trout, including five…
Read Full Article PALMYRA, Mo. — The wait is over. Finally. “We all knew it had been a long time,” Palmyra senior point guard Bear Bock said. “It’s an awesome feeling.” When the Bock-led Panthers captured the 81st Tony Lenzini Tournament boys basketball championship Saturday night it marked the first time Palmyra had won its own event since…
Read Full Article PALMYRA, Mo. — Maridith Gares knows exactly when the Monroe City girls basketball team’s season did an about-face. “We had just lost by 20 points to Elsberry, and we all knew something had to change,” the 5-foot-7 senior guard said. And it most certainly has. More proof of that tcame Saturday night when Monroe City…
Read Full Article PALMYRA, Mo. — The target on their backs isn’t bothering the Palmyra girls basketball players. Ranked fifth in the latest Class 3 state poll and seeded No. 1 for the 81st Tony Lenzini Tournament, the Panthers outscored Van-Far 24-1 in the second quarter Monday night and cruised to a 69-37 victory in the opening round…
Read Full Article LEWISTOWN, Mo. — Hudson Bock has a shooter’s conscience. In Bock’s world, if that first field goal attempt is off the mark, it’s not a big deal. The Palmyra boys basketball team’s freshman guard knows there’s a good chance the next shot he hoists from long distance will find the bottom of the net. That’s…
Read Full Article LEWISTOWN, Mo. — The numbers don’t lie. “This was not our best game,” said Palmyra girls basketball coach Kelsey Stuart, shaking her head Saturday evening as she dissected a 48-40 loss to Keokuk in the finals of the 52nd Highland Tournament. The state-ranked Panthers, who saw a four-game win streak come to an end, turned…
Read Full Article HANNIBAL, Mo. — The best player in the area has been named the best player in the state. Hannibal all-purpose back Aneyas Williams recently was named the Gatorade Missouri Player of the Year, becoming the first player in school history to receive the nationwide recognition. The Gatorade Player of the Year award was established in…
Read Full Article HANNIBAL, Mo. — The Cardinals are coming. The St. Louis Cardinals Caravan is headed to America’s hometown with an event planned for Jan. 12 at Hannibal-LaGrange’s Mabee Sports Complex. The Caravan will be in Hannibal from noon-2 p.m. with autographs, vendors and a presentation featuring current and former players. The players expected to appear are…
Read Full Article MOBERLY, Mo. — Dominant performances from its top grapplers allowed the Hannibal wrestling team to win five duals and capture the championship of the North Central Missouri Conference tournament held Tuesday night at Moberly Area Community College. The Pirates had four wrestlers go 5-0 and two others finish 4-1. In dual action, the Pirates beat…
Read Full Article QUINCY — Here is a look at the holiday basketball tournament scores and upcoming schedule: Friday’s games Boys At Collinsville Prairie Farms Holiday Classic Collinsville 44, Quincy High School 39 At State Farm Holiday Classic Small School Bracket At Bloomington High School Minonk Fieldcrest 64, Quincy Notre Dame 40 Quincy Notre Dame 78, Rockford Lutheran…
Read Full Article QUINCY — Here is a look at the holiday basketball tournament scores and upcoming schedule: Thursday’s games Boys At Collinsville Prairie Farms Holiday Classic Quincy High School 61, Belleville Althoff 48 Quincy High School 57, O’Fallon 46 At State Farm Holiday Classic Small School Bracket At Shirk Center Quincy Notre Dame 60, Stanford Olympia 28…
Read Full Article QUINCY — Here is a look at the holiday basketball tournament scores and upcoming schedule: Wednesday’s games Boys At Collinsville Prairie Farms Holiday Classic Quincy High School 76, Oakville (Mo.) 38 Click here for complete scores and bracket At State Farm Holiday Classic Pecatonica 55, Quincy Notre Dame 50 Click here for complete scores and…
Read Full Article QUINCY — Here is a look at the holiday basketball tournament scores from Tuesday and Wednesday’s schedule: Tuesday’s games Boys At MVIT Unity 67, West Prairie 49 Bushnell-Prairie City 66, Western 47 Girls At Beardstown Lady Tiger Classic West Hancock 67, Athens 34 Mendon Unity 42, Beardstown 29 Macomb 40, Illini West 34 Macomb 55,…
Read Full Article QUINCY — Here are the brackets for holiday boys and girls basketball tournaments involving area teams: Collinsville Prairie Farms Holiday Classic State Farm Holiday Classic small school boys State Farm Holiday Classic small school girls State Farm Holiday Classic large school girls Macomb-Western Holiday Tournament Beardstown Lady Tiger Classic MVIT St. Dominic Christmas Tournament (boys…
Read Full Article QUINCY — Here is a look at the scoreboard for the 16th Rumble on the River Holiday Shootout: Played at John Wood Community College’s Student Activity Center Friday, December 15 Quincy Notre Dame girls 59, Hannibal 21 MVP — QND’s Sage Stratton Saturday, December 16 North Shelby girls 38, Payson Seymour 33 MVP — North…
Read Full Article QUINCY — Here is a look at the scoreboard and upcoming schedule for the 16th Rumble on the River: Played at John Wood Community College’s Student Activity Center Friday, December 15 Quincy Notre Dame girls 59, Hannibal 21 MVP — QND’s Sage Stratton Saturday, December 16 North Shelby girls 38, Payson Seymour 33 MVP —…
Read Full Article QUINCY — Monday night proved to be Missouri’s night. Three Missouri squads — the Monroe City boys and girls basketball teams along with the Palmyra boys — snared victories at the 16th Rumble on the River at John Wood Community College’s Student Activity Center. The Monroe City girls used eight points apiece from JWCC signee…
Read Full Article QUINCY — Here is a look at the scoreboard and upcoming schedule for the 16th Rumble on the River: Played at John Wood Community College’s Student Activity Center Friday, December 15 Quincy Notre Dame girls 59, Hannibal 21 MVP — QND’s Sage Stratton Saturday, December 16 North Shelby girls 38, Payson Seymour 33 MVP —…
Read Full Article QUINCY — The Rumble on the River rumbled on Saturday with eight games being played at John Wood Community College’s Student Activity Center. Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman was there for half of the slate and put together this photo gallery:
Read Full Article QUINCY — Here are the results and the remaining schedule for the 16th Rumble on the River Shootout at John Wood Community College’s Student Activity Center.
Read Full Article QUINCY — Sage Stratton’s assessment of the nearly 12-minute stretch in which the Hannibal girls basketball team went without a field goal Friday night should attract as much attention as the effort itself. “We put defense first and we work hard on defense,” the Quincy Notre Dame junior guard said. “It doesn’t matter what court…
Read Full Article QUINCY — The Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball team’s defensive dominance led to a 59-21 victory over Hannibal on Friday night in the opening game of the 16th Rumble on the River at John Wood Community College’s Student Activity Center. Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman sat courtside and put together this photo gallery:
Read Full Article HANNIBAL, Mo. — A free class for anyone interested in learning the game of pickleball will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 2, at the Admiral Coontz Recreation Center. Equipment will be provided. Tom Batenhorst, park board president and USA Pickleball ambassador for Marion County, will teach theclass along with other fellow…
Read Full Article HANNIBAL, Mo. — Registration for Hannibal Parks and Recreation’s winter pickleball league is currently open with play scheduled to begin Tuesday, Jan. 16. Participants may sign up for any of three leagues: leisure, intermediate or competitive. Registration deadline is Jan. 9. Play will be on Tuesdays at the Admiral Coontz Recreation Center through Feb. 21…
Read Full Article QUINCY — Chris Duesdieker’s tireless effort is done with one goal in mind. Put the spotlight on area basketball. The collection of talented teams he is bringing to John Wood Community College’s Student Activity Center and the intriguing matchups he has created for the 16th Rumble on the River have transformed the event from a…
Read Full Article QUINCY — Above all else, protect The Pit. That’s more or less an unwritten rule when it comes to the Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball team. The Raiders’ home floor — a.k.a. The Pit — is more than a safe haven for the QND team. It has become a full-fledged basketball sanctuary for one of…
Read Full Article QUINCY — As he walked out of the locker room and sat down following Tuesday’s affair with Palmyra, Quincy Notre Dame senior guard Aden Genenbacher couldn’t help but reflect on what transpired last season against the Raiders’ cross-river rival. “I did not score a single point in that (game) and that kind of pissed me…
Read Full Article QUINCY — The Pit is a tough place for opposing teams to win. Tuesday night, the Palmyra boys and girls basketball teams saw why. A strong start by the Quincy Notre Dame boys led to a 54-42 victory, while the QND girls pulled away in the fourth quarter for a 45-35 victory — their 24th…
Read Full Article HANNIBAL, Mo. — The Missouri Football Coaches Association recognized what anyone who squared off against Hannibal during the past four seasons came to know. Aneyas Williams is the most dynamic player on the field. The senior all-purpose back was named the Class 4 Offensive Player of the Year and a first-team all-state selection by the…
Read Full Article SHELBINA, Mo. — One of the most powerful running backs in Class 2 led a brigade of seven area players earning all-state honors from the Missouri Football Coaches Association. South Shelby senior Kendal Hammond, who led the Cardinals to 10 consecutive victories before losing in a shootout with Bowling Green in the district championship game,…
Read Full Article MONROE CITY, Mo. — By design, Clare Williams’ first option was to pass the ball. Fortunately, that did not work out. Williams wound up unleashing a 22-foot bomb that found nothing but net as time expired Saturday night, sending the Palmyra girls basketball team to a 64-61 victory over South Shelby in the finals of…
Read Full Article MONROE CITY, Mo. — Not bad for a club that took seven minutes to score its first points of the game. The Palmyra boys basketball team remained unbeaten Saturday night, but the way the it went about it may have been a bit awkward. At least in the first quarter. “We were just running rampant…
Read Full Article QUINCY — The shoulder brace Hannibal wrestling coach Jake Borgmeyer helped senior Koen Ramage strap into and adjust prior to Tuesday night’s dual looks cumbersome and uncomfortable. Ramage shrugs off the inconvenience. “I’m getting used to it,” he said. “I’ll get comfortable and I’ll get there.” His first step was clearly a step in that…
Read Full Article QUINCY — The strengths showed. The Quincy High School wrestling team is blessed with an abundance of talented grapplers at the heavier weights, while Hannibal is loaded with technical, aggressive wrestlers at the lower weights. Put those two head-to-head and you’re left with an entertaining dual. Hannibal edged Quincy 35-33 in front a packed house…
Read Full Article PALMYRA, Mo. — The question is twofold. Just how good is the Palmyra girls basketball team at this point? Conversely, how accomplished can it eventually become? Junior guard Clare Williams said the evolution of this year’s club will be a process. It’s a long season and success will likely be measured by increments, not exclamation…
Read Full Article Two Bocks are better than one: Brothers team up to push Palmyra past Canton in early-season showdown
PALMYRA, Mo. — Admittedly, Bear Bock had waited for years to be on the same varsity basketball floor as his little brother. And the reward for that patience was written all over his face Friday night. “It’s just awesome,” the senior said, trying unsuccessfully to hold back a smile when looking at his freshman brother,…
Read Full Article PALMYRA, Mo. — The Palmyra boys and girls basketball teams completed a sweep of Canton on Friday night with the boys winning 57-37 and the girls battling for a 48-39 victory. Photographer Mathew Kirby spent his evening in the Palmyra gym and put together this photo gallery:
Read Full Article QUINCY — Check out Muddy River Sports’ in-depth look at the area boys basketball scene for the 2023-24 season with some perspective on what was learned the first week of the season and what to look forward to moving forward.
Read Full Article PALMYRA, Mo. — The Kelsey Stuart coaching era is off and running. The Brian Rea coaching era continues to breed success. The combination should make for an entertaining winter in the Flower City. The Palmyra girls basketball team stormed past Mark Twain 58-24 on Tuesday night in the Panthers’ season opener and Stuart’s first game…
Read Full Article PALMYRA, Mo. — Trey Watts was a little unsure about his decision when he first began saddle bronc riding as a high school freshman in Muncy, Pa. “I didn’t know if I was going to make it,” he admitted. “I was bucked off a lot when I first started. There were a lot of ungraceful…
Read Full Article QUINCY — The 2023-24 basketball season is a week old and some teams are just now reaching their tipping point. Make sure to check out the 2023-24 Muddy River Sports girls basketball preview section to learn more about the teams throughout our area in Illinois and Missouri.
Read Full Article ST. LOUIS — The lead seemed insurmountable. It nearly wasn’t. Trailing Lutheran North 62-33 with four minutes remaining in the third quarter of Friday night’s Class 4 state quarterfinal, the Hannibal football team refused to lay down. Three touchdowns in a nine-minute span pulled the Pirates within 62-55 with 3:55 to play in regulation. However,…
Read Full Article ST. LOUIS — Two explosive offenses put together a fireworks show Friday night. The big bangs belonged to the Lutheran North football team. The Crusaders built a 29-point lead in the third quarter and held off Hannibal’s comeback, winning the Class 4 state quarterfinal 70-61. Hannibal ends its season with an 11-2 record. Freelance photographer…
Read Full Article HANNIBAL, Mo. — For the fourth consecutive season, the Hannibal football team has reached the Class 4 state quarterfinals. Only once in those three previous postseason trips have the Pirates advanced to the state semifinals. That was in 2021 when Hannibal went undefeated until the state championship game against Smithville. A vast number of players…
Read Full Article QUINCY — Six area softball players earned all-state recognition from the Missouri High School Fastpitch Coaches Association, including four who received first-team plaudits. In Class 1, Canton senior shortstop Macie Fisher and senior catcher Kinsey Biggerstaff were first-team selections, while in Class 2, Highland senior third baseman Emma Harshberger and Monroe City junior shortstop Audri…
Read Full Article HANNIBAL, Mo. — Who’s next? Hannibal continued its scorched-earth approach to postseason football with its third straight one-sided victory Friday night. The Pirates won their fourth straight Class 4 District 4 championship in record-breaking fashion, torching previously unbeaten Warrenton 55-32 before a crowd of about 1,700 at Porter Stadium. Fueled by all-purpose back Aneyas Williams’ …
Read Full Article SHELBINA, Mo. — It was an offensive shootout for the ages. Bowling Green and South Shelby, two of the highest-scoring high school football teams in Missouri, combined for 16 touchdowns, 116 points and 1,035 yards of offense Friday night in the Class 2 District 7 championship game at Charles Rash Memorial Field. In the end,…
Read Full Article PALMYRA, Mo. — Over the past couple of falls, Candra King has hardly missed a University of Central Missouri football game. “There were a couple of weekends this fall where I was on a college visit and that made it tough,” she said. Watching her older brother, Weston, finish his career at the NCAA Division…
Read Full Article WENTZVILLE, Mo. — This was Aneyas Williams at his absolute best. Williams, the all-purpose wunderkind whose marvelous four-year football career at Hannibal is rapidly winding down, proved Friday night he may be saving the best for last. Williams’ performance in the third-seeded Pirates’ 48-27 defeat of second-seeded Wentzville Holt in the Class 4 District 4…
Read Full Article BOWLING GREEN, Mo. — Eight was enough. Bowling Green produced 254 yards and four touchdowns on its eight offensive plays in the first quarter Friday night to bolt to a 30-0 lead and cruise to a 51-6 victory over Monroe City in the semifinals of the Class 2 District 7 playoffs. Behind the quick-strike capabilities…
Read Full Article SHELBINA, Mo. — Chase Moellering looked like he’d been there before. When the Clark County football team turned the ball over on downs st South Shelby’s 34-yard line with 2 minutes, 4 seconds remaining in the first half Friday night, the Cardinals realized there was plenty of time to score. Moellering’s ability to engineer a…
Read Full Article QUINCY — Spots in district football championship games will be claimed Friday night in Missouri, potentially stepping up a showdown between state-ranked teams in Class 2. First, though, South Shelby and Bowling Green have to navigate district semifinal matchups with talented foes. Here’s a look at what to watch for Friday night: Hannibal (9-1) at…
Read Full Article HANNIBAL, Mo. — To no one’s surprise, the North Central Missouri Conference’s best football team dominated the all-league selections. Hannibal, which went 5-0 and outscored its opponents 275-28 in league play, landed seven players on the first-team offense and six players on the first-team defense. The Pirates had five others earn second-team plaudits. Four players…
Read Full Article HANNIBAL, Mo. — On the surface, Hannibal’s most recent blowout football victory was little more than another Friday night stroll on the plastic grass of Porter Stadium. The potent Pirates’ steamroller-like offense was its usual productive self, and so was Hannibal’s stifling defense. By midway through the second quarter, an overmatched St. Charles team was…
Read Full Article MONROE CITY, Mo. — The Monroe City football team needed a fourth-quarter rally to fend off Highland when the teams first met this season. No comeback was necessary the second time around. Sophomores Quincy Mayfield and Jayden Holland combined for 244 rushing yards and four touchdowns to enable the Panthers to post a 34-0 victory…
Read Full Article HANNIBAL, Mo. — Thomas Janes understood his role when the season began, and it had far less to do with creating or denying scoring opportunities than it did with keeping the Hannibal boys soccer team on course. Graysen Crabill found himself in the same situation. The two senior defenders are the only upperclassmen on a…
Read Full Article HANNIBAL, Mo. — It was quick, but still painful. Lutheran St. Charles wasted little time Monday night putting an end to Hannibal’s volleyball season, dispensing the Pirates in convincing fashion in the Class 4 District 4 championship game at Korf Gym. The 25-19, 25-15, 25-12 setback was completed in a brisk 62 minutes. “We never…
Read Full Article JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Statewide high school football rankings, as compiled by a 9-member panel of sportswriters and broadcasters. First-place votes in parentheses. Panel is made up of Dion Clisso, PrepsKC; Cole Young, PrepsKC; Tom Rackers, Jefferson City News-Tribune; Chris Parker, Ozone Sports; Joe Andrews, Warrensburg Star Journal; Tommy Rezac, KFEQ St. Joseph; J.B. Connoley,…
Read Full Article HANNIBAL, Mo. — The Hannibal Parks and Recreation Indoor Horseshoe League ended its 46th year with a tournament recently. The league began in September and took place at the Admiral Coontz Recreation Center on Sunday afternoons. The overall league winners also won the double-elimination tournament: Other winning statistics were:
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