Palmyra’s King, South Shelby’s McWilliams earn Class 3 all-state recognition

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 Gordon, who led the Panthers to third place at the Class 3 state tournament.

King, a 6-foot power forward, averaged 13.2 points and 6.9 rebounds per game while shooting 55.2 percent from the field. King played in 22 of the Panthers’ 26 games, enduring a late-season ankle injury, but was dominant enough to earn All-CCC and all-district honors as Palmyra finished with a 19-7 record.

King is a two-time all-state selection who has signed with the Iowa State University track and field team as a thrower. She is a three-time state champion in the discus and shot put.

McWilliams, a 5-foot-6 guard, helped the Lady Birds win their third consecutive district championship and reach the state quarterfinals before suffering a loss to Centralia. She led South Shelby in three significant statistical categories  — 15.5 points, 4.9 steals and 4.2 assists per game. She also grabbed 5.8 rebounds per game.

McWilliams tied sophomore guard Hannah Gaines with a team-high 35 3-pointers made. The Lady Birds finished the season with a 23-7 record.