Putting away victory over Canton part of evolution for Palmyra girls basketball team

PALMYRA, Mo. — The question is twofold.

Just how good is the Palmyra girls basketball team at this point? Conversely, how accomplished can it eventually become?

Junior guard Clare Williams said the evolution of this year’s club will be a process. It’s a long season and success will likely be measured by increments, not exclamation points.

“We’re slowly getting there,” Williams said. “It’s a day-by-day thing.”

Palmyra raised its record to 2-0 Friday night with a 48-39 victory over Canton in front of a crowd of about 850.

The Panthers never trailed in the game, but they were never able to completely put away the Tigers (2-1) until the final minutes.

The major step Palmyra took against Canton was of the intangible variety. The Panthers played with an energy that was not present in their season-opening 58-24 win against Mark Twain earlier in the week.

Count that as one of those increments.

“Our intensity was much better this game — we were excited to play,” said Candra King, a 6-foot senior center who was the game’s dominant figure.

King’s 19-point, nine-rebound performance led all players in both categories. She’s an effective weapon anywhere in and around the paint and showcased stronger ball-handling skills than she displayed as a junior.

King, who is also one of several key returnees from last season’s 21-7 team, said there is a noticeable difference from her junior year.

“I think I’m more confident this season, and I feel stronger going to the basket,” she said.

First-year Palmyra coach Kelsey Stuart felt her team was able to put a rather mundane performance in its opener behind it.

“The girls were really fired up tonight,” Stuart said. “It was amazing, they were ready to go.”

Especially King and Williams.

“Candra did well attacking the boards — and stepping up as a leader,” Stuart said. “She had a big game in the paint.”

Williams, with 10 points, was Palmyra’s other double-figure scorer. She scored eight of her total in the first two quarters when the Panthers built leads of 13-5 and 20-12. Palmyra led 28-24 after three quarters before eventually lengthening its advantage to as much as 11 points (45-34) in the final period.

“Clare is one of several girls — Taytum White and Sydney Compton are two others — who share the playmaker role for us,” Stuart said.

Williams and White backed King with eight rebounds each.

Stuart, in fact, can interchange numerous players at various positions.

“Many of the girls have been together for a long time, and they work well together,” she said.

Canton, which had downed Knox County (49-24) and Monroe City (48-44) prior to facing Palmyra, was led by a combined 22 points from Macy Glasgow (12) and Kenna Oliver (10). Kenzie Hultz (9) and Oliver (8) were the Tigers’ top rebounders.