Muddy River Showcase profile: Hannibal guard Mason Hull carries on all-star tradition

HANNIBAL, Mo. — Although basketball is the tie that binds the Hull family, pickleball is the game of choice these days, especially when Mason Hull and his dad, Marty, go head-to-head.

And there isn’t much room for debate on who is better at pickleball.

“Me,” Mason said.

Would Marty dispute that at all?

“No,” Mason said.

However, there is work to be done for the recent Hannibal graduate to outperform either of his parents in an all-star game setting.

Hull’s father played for the Illinois all-stars in the McDonald’s/Herald-Whig Classic in 1995 after leading the West Pike boys basketball team to a third-place finish in the Class A state tournament. Marty Hull finished with 16 points and seven rebounds in Illinois’ two-point victory over Missouri.

The year prior, Audra (Mack) Hull earned most valuable player honors for the Missouri girls as she scored 13 points and grabbed 11 rebounds as she represented Hannibal in the Show Me State’s 13-point victory.

Now, it is Mason Hull’s turn. The 5-foot-8 shooting guard will represent Missouri in the third annual Muddy River Showcase, scheduled for June 15 at John Wood Community College’s Student Activity Center.

Q: What did you enjoy most about playing basketball at Hannibal?

A; The people just made it a fun experience overall.

Q: What was the highlight?

A; Definitely against Warrenton when we came back from being down 20 at halftime.

Q: What was it like playing for your dad?

A; It was fun. He yelled at me like all the other kids. He treated me fairly, at least I think so.

Q: What do you like about basketball?

A: I just like everything about it. It’s just a fun thing to play. It’s very skilled. You have to be very good at a lot of things just to be good at the sport.

Q: Did you feel like you had to play basketball because of your parents?

A: Not at all. I enjoyed it all the time. It was always fun. I would have played it no matter what they said.

Q: How much of an impact did your parents being involved in your career have?

A: A huge impact. It taught me how to work hard. My mom taught, because I’m an undersized guard, how to actually play, rather than my dad, who has been a post player most of his life.

Entry fee for the Muddy River Showcase is $10
with all seats general admission and all sales at the door.