‘I just wanted to play for him’: Ruffcorn, Tigers tough out win day after Birck’s death

Canton's Allie Ruffcorn delivers a pitch during Wednesday's game against Bowling Green at the Cotton Bowl in Canton, Mo. | Shane Hulsey photo

CANTON, Mo. — Allie Ruffcorn wasn’t just pitching for the Canton softball team on Wednesday. She was pitching for Carson Birck. Birck, a 2020 Canton graduate and former Tigers baseball and basketball player, died Tuesday during a work-related accident. “I cried a lot during warmups,” Ruffcorn said. “I didn’t go to school today. I just…

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Photo gallery: Canton, Bowling Green softball teams square off

The Canton softball team made enough defensive plays to hold Bowling Green scoreless the final four innings of the Tigers' 8-3 victory on Wednesday in Canton, Mo. | Shane Hulsey photo

To purchase digital downloads or prints of Muddy River Sports photos,click here to visit our SmugMug site. CANTON, Mo. — Allie Ruffcorn’s complete-game effort carried the Canton softball team to an 8-3 victory over Bowling Green on Wednesday. Muddy River Sports Writer Shane Hulsey took in the action and put together this photo gallery:

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Missouri softball preview: Highland reloads, Monroe City rebuilds, Canton reenergizes

Monroe City's Audri Youngblood is a three-time all-state selection, an NCAA Division I recruit and one of the area's top returning players. | Mathew Kirby photo

EWING, Mo. — The memory still lingers. Sure, the Highland softball team achieved quite a bit last fall, earning a No. 1 state ranking among Class 2 schools, winning 20 games in a row at one point and fashioning a 27-3 overall record. But how it all concluded still leaves a sour taste and ……

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Muddy River Showcase profile: Canton’s Macie Fisher contributes to Tigers’ winning legacy

Canton's Macie Fisher was a multi-sport standout in high school who plans to play softball at Kirkwood Community College. | Mathew Kirby photo

CANTON, Mo. — Macie Fisher is getting a double dose of all-star activities. Not only will Fisher represent Canton on the Missouri squad for the Muddy River Showcase, which takes place June 15 at John Wood Community College’s Student Activity Center, but she participated in the Missouri High School Fastpitch Coaches Association all-star game in…

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Canton’s Biggerstaff finishes third at Class 1 state golf tourney for second consecutive year

Canton's Trevor Biggerstaff finished third at the Class 1 boys state golf championships at Twin Hills Golf and Country Club in Joplin, Mo. | Submitted photo

JOPLIN, Mo. — Trevor Biggerstaff has created a legacy for future Canton golfers to follow. The senior earned his second state medal Tuesday, finishing third at the Class 1 boys state golf championships at Twin Hills Golf and Country Club. Biggerstaff carded a 156 total, tying with Sacred Heart’s Luke Jenkins. Biggerstaff, who also finished…

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Canton’s Biggerstaff in contention in Class 1 state golf championships

Canton's Trevor Biggerstaff is tied for fourth at the Class 1 boys state golf championships after posting a 4-over 76 Monday in Joplin, Mo. | Submitted photo

JOPLIN, Mo. — If Trevor Biggerstaff can mimic the way he played on the back nine Monday, the Canton senior will have a legitimate shot at a state championship. Biggerstaff shot a 2-under 34 on the back nine at Twin Hills Golf and Country Club in the opening round of the Class 1 state championships,…

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Canton’s Biggerstaff has revenge on his mind ahead of state championships

Canton's Trevor Biggerstaff heads to the Class 1 boys golf state championship with the confidence of having taking individual medalist honors at the district tournament. | Submitted photo

CANTON, Mo. — Trevor Biggerstaff felt like he let a state championship slip away in 2023. Biggerstaff got off to a blistering start on the first day of the Missouri Class 1 boys golf state championships at the Country Club of Missouri in Columbia, Mo. Starting on the back nine, he shot an even-par 36…

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Canton’s close call in relay highlights Class 1 state berths at Paris Sectional

Canton's Sophia Slater runs a leg of the 4x100-meter relay during Saturday's Class 1 sectional track and field meet in Paris, Mo. | Shane Hulsey photo

PARIS, Mo. — Even after she crossed the finish line, Canton sophomore MaryKate McReynolds wasn’t sure if the Tigers’ 4×100-meter relay team had qualified for state. It was only after she saw her school’s name next to the No. 4 indicating fourth place on the scoring monitor that she knew they had done it. “I…

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Around the area: Canton wins golf invite, Saukees’ Simon tosses one-hitter, Blue Devils belt four homers

The Canton boys golf team won the Schuyler County Invitational on Wednesday in Lancaster, Mo. | Submitted photo

LANCASTER, Mo. — One day after playing in a hail storm, Trevor Biggerstaff and the Canton boys golf team enjoyed teeing it up under a sun-splashed sky. The Tigers’ play mirrored the weather. Biggerstaff earned individual medalist honors by shooting a 1-under 71 and Canton won the team title with a 328 total Wednesday in…

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Alspaw, Brewer give Tigers edge in district championship victory over Rams

The Canton boys basketball team celebrates its Class 2 District 6 championship after beating Schuyler County 65-46 on Saturday in Queen City, Mo. | Submitted photo

QUEEN CITY, Mo. — Preston Brewer’s 6-foot-7 presence in the lane becomes a focal point for every opponent the Canton boys basketball team faces. Chris Alspaw’s job is to alleviate some of that pressure and force teams to extend their defense. Saturday, Alspaw and Brewer did their duties to perfection. Alspaw softened Schuyler County’s defense…

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Palmyra boys win Lenzini Tournament championship for first time in quarter century

Palmyra's Bear Bock splits two defenders while scoring against Canton during Saturday night's championship game of the 81st Tony Lenzini Tournament in Palmyra. Mo. | Mathew Kirby photo

PALMYRA, Mo. — The wait is over. Finally. “We all knew it had been a long time,” Palmyra senior point guard Bear Bock said. “It’s an awesome feeling.” When the Bock-led Panthers captured the 81st Tony Lenzini Tournament boys basketball championship Saturday night it marked the first time Palmyra had won its own event since…

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Monroe City’s turnaround continues with victory over Canton in tourney title game

Monroe City's Maridith Gares puts up a free-throw attempt during Saturday night's championship game of the 81st Tony Lenzini Tournament in Palmyra, Mo. | Mathew Kirby photo

PALMYRA, Mo. — Maridith Gares knows exactly when the Monroe City girls basketball team’s season did an about-face. “We had just lost by 20 points to Elsberry, and we all knew something had to change,” the 5-foot-7 senior guard said. And it most certainly has. More proof of that tcame Saturday night when Monroe City…

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Bock’s 3-point barrage sparks Palmyra’s surge in title game victory over Canton

The Palmyra boys basketball team celebrates its 66-43 victory over Canton in the championship game of the 52nd Highland Tournament on Saturday night in Lewistown, Mo. | Addi Zanger photo

LEWISTOWN, Mo. — Hudson Bock has a shooter’s conscience. In Bock’s world, if that first field goal attempt is off the mark, it’s not a big deal. The Palmyra boys basketball team’s freshman guard knows there’s a good chance the next shot he hoists from long distance will find the bottom of the net. That’s…

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Turnovers, struggles engaging offensively cost Palmyra girls chance to win Highland tourney title

Palmyra forward Candra King looks for room to attack the basket between two Keokuk defenders during Saturday's championship game of the Highland Tournament in Lewistown, Mo. | Addi Zanger photo

LEWISTOWN, Mo. — The numbers don’t lie. “This was not our best game,” said Palmyra girls basketball coach Kelsey Stuart, shaking her head Saturday evening as she dissected a 48-40 loss to Keokuk in the finals of the 52nd Highland Tournament. The state-ranked Panthers, who saw a four-game win streak come to an end, turned…

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

Palmyra guard Clare Williams puts up a shot during the first half of Friday night's game against Canton in Palmyra, Mo. | Mathew Kirby photo

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…

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Two Bocks are better than one: Brothers team up to push Palmyra past Canton in early-season showdown

Palmyra freshman guard Hudson Bock gets off a 3-point attempt during the first half of Friday night's game against Canton in Palmyra, Mo. | Mathew Kirby photo

PALMYRA, Mo. — Admittedly, Bear Bock had waited for years to be on the same varsity basketball floor as his little brother. And the reward for that patience was written all over his face Friday night. “It’s just awesome,” the senior said, trying unsuccessfully to hold back a smile when looking at his freshman brother,…

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Photo gallery: Palmyra basketball teams sweep doubleheader from Canton

Palmyra forward Candra King puts up a shot during Friday night's game against Canton in Palmyra, Mo. | Mathew Kirby photo

PALMYRA, Mo. — The Palmyra boys and girls basketball teams completed a sweep of Canton on Friday night with the boys winning 57-37 and the girls battling for a 48-39 victory. Photographer Mathew Kirby spent his evening in the Palmyra gym and put together this photo gallery:

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Canton, Highland, Monroe City softball players earn all-state honors

Monroe City junior shortstop Audri Youngblood was one of six area players to earn all-state honors from the Missouri High School Fastpitch Coaches Association. | Mathew Kirby photo

QUINCY — Six area softball players earned all-state recognition from the Missouri High School Fastpitch Coaches Association, including four who received first-team plaudits. In Class 1, Canton senior shortstop Macie Fisher and senior catcher Kinsey Biggerstaff were first-team selections, while in Class 2, Highland senior third baseman Emma Harshberger and Monroe City junior shortstop Audri…

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Canton’s state title defense hits snag with loss to La Plata in district championship game

Canton's Macie Fisher hugs teammate Kadence Taylor after the Tigers lost to La Plata 6-4 in the Class 1 District 5 championship game in La Plata, Mo. | Steve Eighinger photo

La PLATA, Mo. — There will be no repeat of that state softball title Canton won a year ago. The Tigers were eliminated from the postseason Tuesday night, dropping a 6-4 decision to La Plata in the Class 1 District 5 championship game. But Canton went down swinging. The Tigers, who end the season 20-11,…

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Eight-run first inning propels Monroe City to victory in third-place game against Canton

Monroe City’s Abigail Smith rounds third base during the Panthers’ game against Hannibal on Saturday morning in the 26th annual Monroe City Tournament in Monroe City, Mo. | Photo courtesy Mathew Kirby

MONROE CITY, Mo. — An eight-run outburst in the bottom of the first inning enabled the Monroe City softball team to put Canton on its heels and secure a 15-5, five-inning victory in the third-place game of Saturday’s 26th annual Monroe City Tournament. Monroe City went 2-1 overall, beating Hannibal 17-2 in the opener and…

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Show Me Spotlight: Canton’s Fisher authoring memorable career as three-sport athlete

Canton center fielder Macie Fisher will be one of the experienced players hoping to guide the Tigers back to the Class 1 state tournament this fall. | Muddy River Sports file photo

CANTON, Mo. — Macie Fisher and the Canton softball players open the season with a target squarely on them. Not only are the Tigers the reigning Class 1 state champions, but with a wealth of talent and experience returning, they should be the team to beat in Northeast Missouri this fall. That means every opponent…

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Show-Me Spotlight: Canton’s Clay finds college fit that makes her feel right at home

Canton senior Nariah Clay, left, is a three-sport standout who has committed to play basketball at Morton College, an NJCAA Division II program in Cicero, Ill. | Photo courtesy Mathew Kirby

CANTON, Mo. — Nariah Clay admits the college recruiting wasn’t going the way she had envisioned. Then Morton College came along. Playing with the Cross Over Hoops AAU basketball program last summer, the Canton senior three-sport standout was introduced to Morton College women’s basketball coach Jason Nichols and assistant coach Kevin McManaman during a tournament…

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Don’t call it an upset: Canton defends Lenzini Tournament title, beats top-seeded Palmyra

The Canton girls basketball team captured the Tony Lenzini Tournament championship Saturday night with a 74-61 victory over Palmyra in Palmyra, Mo. | Submitted photo

PALMYRA, Mo. — An upset? “I guess it depends who you talk to,” Canton girls basketball coach Danielle Baker said. Canton successfully defended its Tony Lenzini Tournament championship Saturday night with a surprisingly easy 74-61 victory over top-seeded Palmyra. Canton had been seeded second going into the week-long, eight-school hoopfest. The Tigers (12-6) controlled the…

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Canton girls see Highland Tournament championship as step in right direction

The Canton girls basketball team celebrates winning the championship of the 51st Highland Tournament with Saturday's 52-48 victory over Highland in Lewistown, Mo. | Ron Kinscherf photo

LEWISTOWN, Mo. — The Canton girls basketball team entered the 51st Highland Tournament as the third seed and with a losing record. “I call it the state softball championship hangover,” Canton coach Danielle Baker, referencing the Tigers’ Class 1 state title from last October. “It took us a little while to get going.” This week,…

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Prize of the Tigers: Canton shows moxie in upending Polo and winning Class 1 state softball championship

The Canton softball team celebrates after receiving its Class 1 state championship trophy following the 4-2 victory over Polo at the Killian Softball Complex in Springfield, Mo. | Photo courtesy Mary Chiles

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — An ominous beginning couldn’t darken the Canton softball team’s mood. It certainly didn’t ruin the Tigers’ mojo either. Under cloudy skies and dealing with windy conditions Saturday afternoon, Canton was forced to wait through an epic Class 3 state championship game in which Fatima defeated Chillicothe 16-14 and not start the Class…

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Photo gallery: Canton softball team wins Class 1 state championship, beating Polo 4-2

The Canton softball team celebrates after recording the final out against Polo in the Class 1 state championship game Saturday in Springfield, Mo. | Photo courtesy Mary Chiles

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — The Canton softball team is back to being the undisputed best. The Tigers defeated previously undefeated Polo 4-2 Saturday in the Class 1 state championship at the Killian Softball Complex, capturing the second state title in program history. The Tigers won the state title in 2017 and have six state trophies in…

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Don’t stop believing: Canton softball team rallies to earn spot in state championship game

The Canton softball players celebrate with Tigers coach Kristyn Arens, center, after winning the Class 1 state semifinal against Marion C. Early on Friday in Springfield, Mo. | Photo courtesy Mary Chiles

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Even when trailing Marion C. Early by two runs in the fifth inning of Friday’s Class 1 state semifinal, the Canton softball players showed confidence. “I thought we were gonna win it from the beginning,” sophomore shortstop Kadee Guilfoyle said.                                                                                    That faith was rewarded with a 3-2 victory at the Killian Softball…

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Photo gallery: Canton softball team wins Class 1 state semifinal against Marion C. Early

The Canton softball players celebrate their 3-2 victory over Marion C. Early in the Class 1 state semifinals Friday at the Killian Softball Complex in Springfield, Mo. | Photo courtesy Christoper Parker

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — The Canton softball team is one victory away from winning the second state championship in program history after beating Marion C. Early 3-2 on Friday in the Class 1 state semifinals at the Killian Softball Complex. Check out this gallery of images from the Tigers’ come-from-behind victory:

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Final four bound: Hultz, Canton keep Braymer off-balance in state quarterfinal victory

The Canton softball team celebrates following its 10-0 victory over Braymer on Saturday in the Class 1 state quarterfinals at the Cotton Bowl in Canton, Mo. | Submitted photo

CANTON, Mo. — Canton catcher Kinsey Biggerstaff said Emma Hultz has one pitch in particular that stands out in her nasty repertoire of off-speed offerings. “It’s her changeup,” Biggerstaff said matter-of-factly. And Hultz, a junior right-hander, doesn’t disagree with her battery mate’s assessment. “The change is my No. 1 pitch,” she said with absolutely no…

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Tigers exact their revenge, overwhelm Bulldogs with extra-base hits to reach state quarterfinals

The Canton softball team celebrates with its fans following a 12-0 victory over La Plata on Wednesday in the Class 1 sectional in La Plata, Mo. | Submitted photo

LA PLATA, Mo. — Redemption and revenge came with a full-fledged offensive assault. Now, the Canton softball team sits just one victory away from a return to the final four. The Tigers capitalized on a bounty of scoring opportunities in the first three innings of Wednesday’s Class 1 sectional, building an insurmountable 11-run lead and…

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Canton softball team carries confidence, belief in itself into matchup with postseason nemesis

CANTON, Mo. — The circumstances suggested the Canton softball team was doomed. The Tigers never believed that. And when they escaped a controversial, fingernail-biting seventh inning in last Saturday’s Class 1 District 9 championship game unscathed, they embraced the belief nothing was going to stand in their way. “We definitely felt that in our huddle,”…

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Canton escapes tenuous seventh-inning jam, captures fourth straight district championship

The Canton softball team outlasted North Shelby 3-2 in nine innings to win the Class 1 District 9 championship Saturday in Shelbyville, Mo. | Submitted photo

SHELBYVILLE, Mo. — Some confusion about the rules regarding pitching circle visits put the Canton softball team in a precarious position with the season on the brink Saturday afternoon. Yet, the Tigers never flinched. With the Class 1 District 9 championship game tied at 2 in the bottom of the seventh and North Shelby having…

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JWCC Show-Me Spotlight: Pressure to perform brings out best in Canton’s Gorrell

Canton senior right fielder Madison Gorrell has helped the Tigers to a 7-1 start to this season. | Photo courtesy KHQA Sports Director Chris Duerr

CANTON, Mo. — Freddie Mercury and David Bowie sang about it. Madison Gorrell embraces it. The pressure of being under pressure brings out the best in the Canton two-sport athlete, who excels at both softball and soccer. It is what is guiding her post-high school path. Gorrell plans to attend Central Methodist University to study…

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Monroe City fends off Canton’s seventh-inning rally to snare title of own tournament

Monroe City's Lucy Pratt delivers a pitch during the Panthers' opening game of the Monroe City Tournament against Hannibal on Saturday at Lions Field in Monroe City, Mo. | Photo courtesy Mathew Kirby

MONROE CITY, Mo. — Audri Youngblood kept her composure and the Monroe City softball team made certain the championship of its own tournament didn’t leave the city limits. Leading Canton 6-0 in the seventh inning of the championship game Saturday night at Lions Field, the Panthers allowed a rally to be extended when an infield…

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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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Monroe City boys, Canton girls capture titles at 79th annual Tony Lenzini Invitational

Monroe City’s Kyle Hays lays the ball in during the Panthers’ victory over Hannibal in the championship game of the 79th annual Tony Lenzini Invitational on Saturday night in Palmyra, Mo. Photo courtesy Mathew Kirby

PALMYRA, Mo. — The Hannibal boys basketball team relied on its defense to keep it within striking distance of top-seeded Monroe City at halftime of Saturday night’s championship game of the 79th annual Tony Lenzini Invitational. The Panthers didn’t allow that to happen in the second half. After being held to just nine points in…

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Youngblood leads three Panthers receiving all-state softball honors

Monroe City senior outfielder Carly Youngblood was a first-team Class 2 all-state selection. Photo courtesy Mathew Kirby

MONROE CITY, Mo. — Three Monroe City softball players headlined the area’s haul of all-state honors from the Missouri High School Fastpitch Coaches Association. Panthers senior outfielder Carly Youngblood was a Class 2 first-team selection, while senior infielder Mackenzie Moss and freshman utility player Audri Youngblood were both second-team honorees. Highland sophomore infielder Emma Harshberger…

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