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

By Shane Hulsey, Sports Writer | November 20, 2024
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

By Steve Eighinger | February 7, 2024
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

By Steve Eighinger | February 3, 2024
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

By Matt Schuckman, Sports Editor | December 31, 2021
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

By David Adam, MRN Editor | December 17, 2021
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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