Tale of two halves defensively ends with Palmyra suffocating Unity over final 16 minutes

Palmyra senior guard Mason Smith drives through the lane during Friday's game against Mendon Unity in Palmyra, Mo. | Shane Hulsey photo

PALMYRA, Mo. — Hudson Bock could not have imagined two more polar opposite defensive performances from the Palmyra boys basketball team against Mendon Unity on Friday. “Our defense was really good in the second half, but it was absolutely awful in the first half,” Bock said. After taking a 39-35 lead into halftime, the Panthers…

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Boost from Smith’s 3-pointer ignites Panthers’ closing kick in victory over Raiders

Palmyra senior guard Mason Smith celebrates his go-ahead 3-pointer in the fourth quarter of the Panthers' 66-58 win over Quincy Notre Dame on Tuesday night in Palmyra, Mo. | Shane Hulsey photo

PALMYRA, Mo. — It was as if Mason Smith had flipped a switch. As soon as the Palmyra senior guard’s go-ahead 3-pointer with 3:50 left in the fourth quarter of the Panthers’ clash with Quincy Notre Dame on Tuesday swished through the net and the home crowd erupted, Smith could feel the electricity pulsing through…

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Countdown to tipoff: Palmyra heads into season with new-look roster, same all-together mentality

Palmyra's Luke Sheppard, right, will use his length, athleticism and jumping ability to be a defensive stalwart this season. | Shane Hulsey photo

Coverage of the Palmyra boys basketball team brought to you by: PALMYRA, Mo. — The game of hand soccer at the end of the Palmyra boys basketball team’s practice on Tuesday was not just a chance to goof off before going home. It served multiple purposes. The object of the game, which involves two teams…

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Palmyra boys vow to keep focus after knocking off arch-rival Monroe City for 15th straight victory

Palmyra's Bear Bock dribbles to the basket past Monroe City's Trey Smyser during Tuesday night's high school boys basketball game at Monroe City High School. | Photo courtesy of Alicia Deming

MONROE CITY, Mo. — Palmyra took another huge step toward the Clarence Cannon Conference boys basketball championship Tuesday night. The storyline was a familiar one. “Defense,” Palmyra coach Brian Rea said. “It’s always defense.” There’s absolutely no arguing that point. The 48-25 victory over arch-rival Monroe City — which, like Palmyra, entered the game unbeaten…

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‘We just do what we do’: Palmyra boys hold 14th opponent below 40 points, improve to 19-1

Palmyra's Bear Bock uses a screen from Jonathan Edwards and drives to the basket during Friday night's boys basketball game against South Shelby in Palmyra, Mo. | Photo courtesy of Alicia Deming

PALMYRA, Mo. — Brian Rea offered a hint late Friday night as to why the Palmyra boys basketball team enjoys playing defense so much. “It’s a mindset, and it’s a testament to our guys who have totally bought into it,” said Rea, the second-year coach whose club is now 19-1 following a 47-25 Clarence Cannon…

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50 After 50: No. 42 Indians set stage for program to enjoy consistent run of high-level success

Front Row: Dalton Edwards, JD Church, Joey Blickhan, Jake Voss, Daulton Speckhart, Jacob Farr, Carter Epperson, Austin Coultas Back Row: Nick Koetters, Lance Buhlig, Brett Loos, Frank Holtschlag, Gage Klitz, Cameron Brink, Hunter Flesner, Cody Hildebrand, Coach Brian Rea Photo courtesy Brian Rea

The Illinois High School Association created a second class for boys basketball for the 1971-72 school year. The 2020-21 season would have been the 50th year of the boys basketball small-school tournament. Muddy River Sports is celebrating 50 years of small-school boys basketball by ranking the 50 best teams in Adams, Brown, Pike and Hancock…

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50 After 50: After breaking school record for victories, No. 48 Indians derailed by mysterious illness

Front Row: Josiah Hull, Tyler Barker, Aidan Perry, Grayson Tedrow, Bryan Dieker, Eric Grace Back Row: Coach Brian Rea, Wyatt Elliott, Trey Johnson, Logan Sparks, Cole Schwartz, Connor Ehrhardt, Lucas Loos, Hayden Hildebrand, Riker Triplett, Ben Perrine, Coach Klayton Conrad, Coach Timothy Southers | Photo courtesy of Brian Rea

No. 48 — 2019-20 Payson Seymour The Illinois High School Association created a second class for boys basketball for the 1971-72 school year. The 2020-21 season would have been the 50th year of the boys basketball small-school tournament. Muddy River Sports is celebrating 50 years of small-school boys basketball by ranking the 50 best teams…

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