Photo gallery: Girls win, boys stumble as Hannibal celebrated homecoming court

January 28, 2023 | By Matt Schuckman, Sports Editor

The Hannibal bench gets excited during the Pirates game against the Kirksville Tigers Friday in Hannibal. Mathew Kirby/Herald Whig-Courier Post

The players on the Hannibal girls basketball team's bench cheer during Friday night's victory over Kirksville at Korf Gym in Hannibal, Mo. | Photo courtesy Mathew Kirby

HANNIBAL, Mo. — The Hannibal girls basketball team set the right mood for a homecoming celebration, scoring the first 15 points of Friday night’s 49-31 North Central Missouri Conference victory over Kirksville at Korf Gym.

The Hannibal boys weren’t able to seize on the momentum the girls created, falling 60-45 to the Tigers.

Zaria Reese, a sophomore foward, led the Pirates’ balanced scoring in the girls game, finishing with nine points. Mariah Mayfield and Malia Stolte added seven points apiece. The Pirates improved to 12-5 overall.

Hannibal sophomore forward Zaria Reese led the way in scoring with nine points. Guards Mariah Mayfield and Malia Stolte each added seven points. C.J. Anderson led the Hannibal boys with 14 points. The Pirates are 7-11 overall.

Freelance photographer Mathew Kirby captured the action from both games. Here is a gallery of his images: