Area Distributors Area Player of the Week: Palmyra’s Bear Bock

Palmyra's Bear Bock shoots over a Louisiana defender during the semifinals of the 98th annual Monroe City Tournament last week in Monroe City, Mo. | Photo courtesy Mathew Kirby

PALMYRA, Mo. — The consistent presence of Bear Bock doing whatever is necessary — scoring, rebounding and blocking shots — is part of the reason the Palmyra boys basketball team is riding an undefeated wave with the Christmas break approaching. Bock scored eight points, grabbed 13 rebounds and blocked two shots in Tuesday night’s 55-34…

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Area Distributors Area Player of the Week: QHS wrestler Owen Uppinghouse

Quincy High School's Owen Uppinghouse, wrestling at 160 pounds, is undefeated this season with seven pins in nine matches. | Submitted photo

QUINCY — Owen Uppinghouse isn’t taking long to assert his dominance. The Quincy High School 160-pound senior wrestler went 6-0 last week with only two of his four matches stretching beyond the first period. Last Thursday at home, Uppinghouse pinned Fort Madison’s Emmett Kruse in 3 minutes, 37 seconds. He was even better at the…

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Area Distributors Area Player of the Week: Southeastern’s Danny Stephens

Southeastern senior forward Danny Stephens scored a career-high 52 points against Winchester West Central in the championship game of the Beardstown Tiger Classic. | Muddy River Sports photo

BEARDSTOWN, Ill. — The number of 50-point games fashioned by an area boys basketball player can be counted on both hands. Southeastern’s Danny Stephens moved the number closer to having to go to the toes to keep track. In the championship game of the sixth Beardstown Tiger Classic, the 6-foot-7 Stephens scored 52 points in…

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Area Distributors Area Player of the Week: Palmyra’s Maura and Molly Gottman

Maura and Molly Gottman, center holding the district championship plaque, are headed to the Class 1 state tournament as a doubles team. | Submitted photo

PALMYRA, Mo. — A year ago, Maura Gottman earned a spot and eventually a fifth-place medal at the Class 1 girls state tennis tournament, teaming with Katy Rindom as Palmyra’s No. 1 doubles team. This year, Gottman is headed back to the state tournament, and she’s taking her sister along for the ride. Maura and…

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Area Distributors Area Player of the Week: Palmyra’s Abbey Redd

Palmyra's Abbey Redd hit two home runs, one of which was a grand slam, during last Saturday's Montgomery County Cluster. | Photo courtesy Kindsey Redd

PALMYRA, Mo. — While last Friday’s thunderstorms and rain wiped out most of Saturday’s slate of softball games, Palmyra was able to play a pair of games at the Montgomery County Cluster. Abbey Redd took full advantage of it. Redd jacked a grand slam and scored twice in the Panthers’ 10-0 victory over South Callaway,…

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Area Distributors Area Player of the Week: Macomb quarterback Jack Duncan

Macomb quarterback Jack Duncan moved past Phil Bradley for the career passing yardage record during last week's victory at Oneida ROWVA. | Submitted photo

MACOMB, Ill. — If Jack Duncan wanted to reconsider his college plans — and for the record, he doesn’t — there would be a vast number of college football coaches willing to invest the effort in trying to land the Macomb quarterback. When you erase the name of the legendary Phil Bradley from the top…

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Schuck on a Truck: Professional pitmaster Terry Bower discusses BBQ competitions, tailgate tips

QUINCY — Terry Bower took a weekend hobby of creating delectable barbeque and wood-smoked meats and turned into a professional career as a pitmaster on the Kansas City Barbeque Society circuit. He’s traveled the Midwest getting calls and winning honors at some of the most prestigious events. In this episode of “Schuck on a Truck”…

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Schuck on a Truck: Truman State offensive coordinator Jason Killday discusses start of fall camp

Truman State University offensive coordinator Jason Killday and Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman talk football in the latest episode of "Schuck on a Truck," brought to you by Area Distributors. | Muddy River Sports photo

BARING, Mo. — Jason Killday views the Truman State University football team’s start of preseason workouts the way he wants each of the Bulldogs to see things. It’s a brand new day. A year ago, when the Bulldogs went 9-3 and won the America’s Crossroads Bowl, Truman State established a single-season school record for yards…

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Schuckman: Summer job allows Liberty’s Klingele to give new life to floor in gym he’s called home

From left to right, the Area Distributors crew of Hayden Spilker, Dale Garriga and Breiton Klingele work on rewaxing the Liberty High School gym floor. | Matt Schuckman photo

LIBERTY, Ill. — The signs taped to the front doors of Liberty High School saying “Gym Closed” were a clear indication the administration didn’t want anyone coming around. Even if such warnings were ignored, no one was getting in the gym anyhow. Chains and padlocks on the doors ensured that. There was work to be…

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Area Distributors Area Player of the Week: Hannibal soccer forward Bella Falconer

Hannibal's Bella Falconer, left, became the program's all-time leader in goals scored during last weekend's Hannibal Tournament. Photo courtesy Mathew Kirby

HANNIBAL, Mo. — Two goals, a tournament title and a school record. Bella Falconer had a pretty good Saturday. After beating Southern Boone 3-0 with Falconer scoring twice last Friday night in the opening game of Hannibal girls soccer team’s tournament at Porter Stadium during, the Pirates turned around on Saturday and smoked Sikeston 8-0…

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Area Distributors Area Player of the Week: Brown County’s Gabe Blakeley

Brown County senior Gabe Blakeley and the Hornets are off to a 7-0 start with Blakeley hitting .519 after going 7 for 10 in his last three games. Submitted photo

MOUNT STERLING, Ill. — Gabe Blakeley’s success and the 7-0 start for the Brown County baseball team are going hand-in-hand. In his last three games, Blakeley has gone 7 for 10 with five runs scored, four RBIs and three doubles as the Hornets outscored their opponents 38-2 in that stretch. That included a 4-for-4 effort…

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Area Distributors Area Player of the Week: Palmyra wrestler Collin Arch

Palmyra junior wrestler Collin Arch won his third consecutive state championship last Saturday in Columbia, Mo. Photo courtesy Mathew Kirby

PALMYRA, Mo. — When he capped third consecutive undefeated high school season with his third straight state championship Saturday night at Mizzou Arena, Palmyra junior wrestler Collin Arch was the furthest thing from demonstrative. “I kind of keep my emotions to myself,” Arch said. “I’m obviously really excited for a third state title.” He captured…

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Area Distributors Area Player of the Week: Palmyra wrestler Elly Lorenson

Palmyra freshman wrestler Elly Lorenson won the Class 2 district championship at 141 pounds last weekend in Wentzville, Mo. Photo courtesy Palmyra wrestling

WENTZVILLE, Mo. — Elly Lorenson pinned her way to the state tournament. The Palmyra freshman wrestler won five consecutive matches last weekend in the Class 2 district tournament at North Point High School and will head to Mizzou Arena in Columbia next weekend for the state tournament as one of the top seeds. Wrestling at…

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Area Distributors Area Athlete of the Week: Central-Southeastern’s Abbey McMillen

Central-Southeastern's Abbey McMillen set a single-game program record with seven 3-pointers last week against Pleasant Hill. Photo courtesy Mike Pritchard

CAMP POINT, Ill. — Abbey McMillen’s 3-point prowess could be a weapon the Central-Southeastern girls basketball team relies on during the upcoming postseason. Pleasant Hill witnessed last week how dangerous it can be. McMillen, a junior, set a single-game program record by sinking seven 3-pointers in a 61-22 victory last Thursday night.  McMillen also played…

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Area Distributors Area Athlete of the Week: Canton’s Nariah Clay

Second-seeded Canton’s Nariah Clay gets off a shot during last Saturday’s championship game of the 79th annual Tony Lenzini Invitational against top-seeded Palmyra in Palmyra, Mo. Photo courtesy Mathew Kirby

PALMYRA, Mo. — Nariah Clay’s clutch free-throw shooting and consistent play throughout the week carried the second-seeded Canton girls basketball team to the championship of the 79th annual Tony Lenzini Invitational. That included going 8 of 9 from the line and scoring 14 points in a 68-54 victory over top-seeded Palmyra in last Saturday’s championship…

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Area Distributors Area Athlete of the Week: Monroe City’s Josiah Talton

Monroe City's Josiah Talton, center, is the Area Distributors Area Athlete of the Week after leading the Panthers to the Clopton Tournament championship last week. Photo courtesy Mathew Kirby

MONROE CITY, Mo. — Josiah Talton did what a senior leader is supposed to do. He stepped to the free-throw line and buried the shots to preserve a lead. And he did it twice in the same week. In the semifinals of the Clopton Tournament last week, the Monroe City senior guard went 5 of…

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Area Distributors Area Athlete of the Week: Illini West’s Caydee Kirkham

Illini West senior point guard Caydee Kirkham was named the MVP of the Beardstown Lady Tiger Classic. Submitted photo

BEARDSTOWN, Ill. — Caydee Kirkham saved her best for last. The three efforts preceding her championship game performance at the Beardstown Lady Tiger Classic weren’t too shabby either. The senior point guard on the Illini West girls basketball team nearly put together a triple double in a 66-51 victory over top-seeded Unity in the title…

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Area Distributors Area Athlete of the Week: Monroe City’s Joshua Talton

Monroe City's Joshua Talton throws down a dunk during a game against Palmyra in the 97 annual Monroe City Tournament last week in Monroe City, Mo. Photo courtesy Mathew Kirby

MONROE CITY, Mo. — Joshua Talton made sure the title stayed in Title Town. A 6-foot senior guard on the Monroe City boys basketball team, Talton scored the first nine points in last Saturday’s championship game of the 97th annual Monroe City Tournament, propelling the top-seeded Panthers to a 77-36 victory over Highland and their…

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Area Distributors Area Athlete of the Week: Central’s Breyhar Wiskirchen

Central junior guard Breyhar Wiskirchen scored 22 points in last Friday's 57-53 victory at state-ranked Liberty. Photo courtesy Mike Pritchard

CAMP POINT, Ill. — A position change is allowing Breyhar Wiskirchen the comfort to carry the Central boys basketball team to success, just like he did last Friday night. The junior guard scored 22 points, including 15 in the second half, as the Panthers went on the road and upset state-ranked Liberty 57-53. The Panthers…

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Area Distributors Area Athlete of the Week: Hannibal quarterback Courtland Watson

Hannibal quarterback Courtland Watson, right, hands off to Aneyas Williams during the Pirates' Class 4 state quarterfinal game West Plains last Friday night at Porter Stadium. Photo courtesy Mathew Kirby

HANNIBAL, Mo. — The records keep falling as the Hannibal football team keeps winning. By the time this season is done, Courtland Watson will own every significant passing record in Pirates’ history. In last Friday night’s 35-26 victory over West Plains in the Class 4 state quarterfinals at Porter Stadium, the senior quarterback completed 16…

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Area Distributors Area Player of the Week: Central running back Garret Williams

Central running back Garret Williams, left, rushed for 192 yards and four touchdowns in last Friday's 60-28 victory over Beardstown. Photo courtesy Mike Pritchard

The Central football team wrapped up the Western Illinois Valley Conference North Division championship with last Friday’s 60-28 victory over Beardstown as Garret Williams powered the Panthers’ offense with a series of big runs. Williams scored on 39- and 27-yard runs to give the Panthers the edge, and his 8-yard scoring run with 44.5 seconds…

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Area Distributors Area Player of the Week: Palmyra’s Rindom, Gottman win district title

Palmyra's top two doubles teams — from left to right, No. 2 team of Molly Gottman and Jaynee Durst, and the No. 1 duo of Maura Gottman and Katy Rindom — finished as the top two teams in the Class 1 District 8 individual tournament. Rindom and Maura Gottman took first place and were named the Area Distributors Area Player of the Week. Photo courtesy Jessica Gottman

Palmyra’s No. 1 doubles team of Katy Rindom and Maura Gottman drew a unique draw as the No. 1 seed in the Class 1 District 8 individual tournament. Their teammates — Palmyra’s No. 2 doubles team of Molly Gottman and Jaynee Durst — were seeded second and on the other side of the bracket. They…

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Area Distributors Area Player of the Week: Hannibal running back A.J. Thomas

Hannibal's A.J. Thomas Photo courtesy of Mathew Kirby

HANNIBAL, Mo. — Aneyas Williams isn’t the only threat in the backfield of the Hannibal football team. The sophomore standout, who is getting national recruiting attention, has rushed for 475 yards and nine touchdowns in five games this season. However, A.J. Thomas isn’t far behind Williams in production. The senior running back has gained 434…

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Area Distributors Area Player of the Week: Monroe City softball standout Mackenzie Moss

Monroe City's Mackenzie Moss, left, heads for home plate after hitting a go-ahead, three-run home run in a 9-8 victory against Centralia. Photo courtesy Adam Rung

MONROE CITY, Mo. — Mackenzie Moss is on a tear. So is the Monroe City softball team. The Panthers are riding a three-game winning streak, kept alive by Moss’ late-inning heroics. Trailing Centralia 8-2 heading into the bottom of the fifth, Monroe City responded with four runs as Moss delivered an RBI single and scored…

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Area Distributors Area Player of the Week: Hannibal all-purpose back Aneyas Williams

Hannibal sophomore Aneyas Williams scored six touchdowns in last week's victory at Fort Zumwalt West, tying the Pirates' single-game record. Photo courtesy Mathew Kirby

HANNIBAL, Mo. — Aneyas Williams is finding himself in elite company these days, drawing recruiting interest from major NCAA Division I football programs. His six-touchdown performance last Friday night in the Hannibal football team’s 56-35 victory at Fort Zumwalt East elevated the sophomore all-purpose back to exclusive company. Williams tied the Pirates’ single-game touchdown record,…

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Area Distributors Area Athlete of the Week: Liberty golfer Blake Arnold

Liberty's Blake Arnold, left, shot a 2-over 74 to take medalist honors at the Mercer County Invitational. Photo courtesy Steph Arnold

LIBERTY, Ill. — Blake Arnold has flirted with the top of the leaderboard at several invitationals the past couple of prep golf seasons, emerging as one of the best Class 1A golfers in the region. He reaffirmed that last weekend at the Mercer County Invitational at Valley View Club in Cambridge, Ill. Arnold posted a…

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Area Distributors Area Player of the Week: Unity-Payson’s Cecil Hunt

Unity-Payson senior running back Cecil Hunt poses with a couple of young fans following last Friday's 58-0 victory over North Greene. Photo courtesy Jessica Ross

Cecil Hunt carried the ball just six times last Friday night in the Unity-Payson football team’s 58-0 whitewashing of North Greene, but those were six carries to remember. The senior running back ripped off a 93-yard touchdown run with a little less than four minutes remaining in the first quarter. With 16 seconds remaining in…

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