The inaugural Muddy River Showcase is taking place June 18 at John Wood Community College’s Student Activity Center. The Illinois vs. Missouri format for senior prep basketball players will feature a girls game at 3 p.m. with the boys game to follow at 5 p.m. Admission is $10 at the door and all seating is general admission.
QUINCY — Reed Plunkett believes he’s the fortunate one.
Tasked with guiding the Missouri girls all-star team in the inaugural Muddy River Showcase, the Marion County basketball coach gets to work with a collection of the best athletes Northeast Missouri has to offer.
“That’s exciting,” Plunkett said. “There will be a lot of talent on the floor for both sides, and I think it’s great to be able to be part of this event. I’m honored to be able to coach this group.”
Plunkett will be coaching three of his own Marion County players in the Showcase, taking place June 18 at John Wood Community College’s Student Activity Center. The crossriver matchup is part of a two-game showcase highlighting the top area seniors.
The girls game will tip at 3 p.m., followed by the boys game at 5 p.m. Admission is $10 at the gate and all seating is general admission. Tickets will not be sold in advance.
The Mustangs won 25 games last winter and advanced to the Class 1 state quarterfinals, led by a trio of multi-sport athletes.
Delaney Straus, a first-team all-state selection in basketball, earned multiple state medals in cross country and track and field, which is why she will participate in both basketball and track at Culver-Stockton College.
Halle Keilholz was the starting pitcher on Marion County’s softball team as well as a guard on the basketball team, and Olivia Wood ran cross country and track as well as playing basketball.
Another track standout — Clark County’s Alexis Ellison — adds increased athleticism to the Missouri roster. Ellison finished fourth in the long jump and fifth in the 100-meter dash last weekend at the Class 2 state championships and has signed to run track at Western Illinois University. She also finished her basketball career as a 1,000-point scorer.
Three players who helped their teams to postseason success are part of the Missouri squad.
Emma Dovin was a starter and key contributor on South Shelby’s Class 3 state runner-up team, which went 25-5 and won the Clarence Cannon Conference title, while Hannah Feeney and Alaynna Whitaker pushed Scotland County to a 24-4 record and a spot in the Class 2 state quarterfinals.
Monroe City’s Mackenzie Moss and Highland’s Summer Goings, both multi-sport standouts who excelled in softball and track, respectively, complete the Missouri roster.
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