Compton powers Palmyra girls into title game at Monroe City Tournament

December 8, 2022 | By Muddy River Sports

Palmyra’s Clare Williams (10) drives down the lane on a fast break during the Panther’s semifinal game against Highland in the of the 98th Annual Monroe City basketball tournament. Mathew Kirby/herald Whig-Courier Post

Palmyra's Clare Williams drives to the basket during Thursday's victory over Highland in the semifinals of the 98th annual Monroe City Tournament in Monroe City, Mo. | Photo courtesy Mathew Kirby

MONROE CITY, Mo. — The Palmyra girls basketball team gets its first shot at the champs.

The second-seeded Panthers marched their way into the championship game of the 98th annual Monroe City Tournament by beating third-seeded Highland 71-46 in Thursday night’s semifinals.

By doing so, the Panthers (5-0) will face top-seeded and reigning Clarence Cannon Conference champion South Shelby at 5 p.m. Friday. The Lady Birds finished as the state runner-up in Class 3 last season.

Palmyra punched its ticket to the title game with a 23-point second quarter that led to a 41-25 halftime lead. Sydney Compton scored nine of her game-high 28 points in the second quarter. Candra King added 17 points for Palmyra, while Clare Williams had 12 points.

Ansley Bringer led Highland with 21 points.

In the boys semifinals, fourth-seeded South Shelby upended top-seeded Monroe City 49-45. The Cardinals will face second-seeded Palmyra at 6:30 p.m. Saturday in the championship.

South Shelby made three 3-pointers and went 5 of 6 from the free-throw line in the fourth quarter to maintain its edge. Trey Countryman led the Cardinals with 15 points. Jaylyn Countryman scored 22 points for Monroe City.

In the consolation bracket, the Highland boys slipped past Marion County 59-58. Devin Stutsman led the Cougars with 21 points, while Porter Britt had 17 points for the Mustangs. The Louisiana girls beat Marion County 51-30. Alyssa Lee led the Mustangs with 12 points.