Posts Tagged ‘Canton’
Second-place Class 2 state finish is highest in history of South Shelby boys golf program
SEDALIA, Mo. — South Shelby boys golf coach Kevin Mitchell could tell the excitement of finishing second at the Class 2 state championships trumped the disappointment of finishing one stroke behind a heated rival. In time, the appreciation for all the Cardinals accomplished will only heighten. “They were really excited about what they did,” Mitchell…
Read MoreCanton baseball team limited to one hit with 15 strikeouts in district semifinal setback
QUEEN CITY, Mo. — Gage Brownell was the Canton baseball team’s kryptonite on Tuesday. Brownell, a junior right-handed pitcher for Schuyler County, tossed a one-hit complete game and struck out 15 batters in the Rams’ 3-1 victory over the Tigers in Tuesday’s Class 2 District 6 semifinal. The Tigers’ only hit came in the bottom…
Read MoreCanton’s Brewer strikes out 16, allows three hits in shutout victory over Highland
CANTON, Mo. — Preston Brewer struck out 16 batters in a complete-game shutout as the Canton baseball team beat Highland 6-0 on Monday. Brewer struck out the side in four different innings, and each of his first eight outs were strikeouts. He did not walk a batter, surrendered just three hits and threw 72 of…
Read MoreOliver hits two home runs to help Canton baseball team stretch winning streak to four games
PARIS, Mo. — Kaden Oliver hit two home runs and drove in four runs as the Canton baseball team homered four times and beat Paris 11-6 on Thursday. Oliver, a junior center fielder, hit a solo home run with two outs to give the Tigers a 2-0 lead in the top of the second inning,…
Read MoreTen walks, five with bases loaded, help Canton baseball team come from behind to edge Central
CANTON, Mo. — Four bases-loaded walks in the bottom of the sixth inning helped the Canton baseball team erase a two-run deficit and come from behind to defeat Central 7-5 on Tuesday afternoon. Bleu Taylor sealed the victory for the Tigers, retiring the Panthers in order in the top of the seventh. The victory was…
Read MoreBrewer comes one out shy of pitching shutout as Canton baseball team defeats Illini West
CANTON, Mo. — Preston Brewer continues to show that his prowess on the prep sports scene is not limited to the basketball court. The 6-foot-8 senior right-hander struck out eight and did not give up an earned run in 6 ⅔ innings as the Canton baseball team stymied Illini West 6-1 on Tuesday. Brewer reached…
Read MoreSchuck on a Truck: Brewer, Tigers enjoy epic season, leading to Player of the Year honors
CANTON, Mo. — Following his team’s Class 2 state championship victory over Canton, Eugene boys basketball coach Brian Wilde suggested Canton senior forward Preston Brewer should be the Missouri Basketball Coaches Association Class 2 Player of the Year. How prohetic. The 6-foot-8 Brewer, who led the Tigers to their state runner-up finish, which was the…
Read More‘We accomplished something bigger than ourselves’: Tigers give stiff test to top-ranked Eagles but fall short in state title game
COLUMBIA, Mo. — The Canton boys basketball team was eight minutes away from glory. They just could not keep the monster under the bed long enough. Canton led top-ranked Eugene 49-45 entering the fourth quarter of Thursday’s Class 2 state championship game at Mizzou Arena, but back-to-back impact plays by Eagles senior guard Justice Allen…
Read MoreBrewer expresses his appreciation for support from Canton community throughout his career
COLUMBIA, Mo. — Preston Brewer’s final words were heartfelt. “Thank you, Canton,” he said. That’s how the Canton boys basketball team’s senior all-state forward ended his final interview, which took place in the tunnel looking out into a then-mostly empty Mizzou Arena after Canton’s 72-61 loss to Eugene in Thursday’s Class 2 state championship game.…
Read MorePhoto gallery: Canton brings home second-place trophy from Class 2 state tournament
COLUMBIA, Mo. — The Canton boys basketball team’s deepest postseason run in program history ended with a state title game appearance Thursday night. The Tigers led Eugene 49-45 heading to the fourth quarter at Mizzou Arena, but the Eagles rallied for a 72-61 victory. The second-place finish marks the third state trophy the Canton boys…
Read MoreLarge and in charge: Canton’s size advantage spearheads second-half surge, leads to spot in state title game
COLUMBIA, Mo. — How much of an advantage did the Canton boys basketball team have on the interior during Wednesday’s Class 2 semifinal game against Puxico? “A lot,” Tigers coach Dalton Armontrout said. As the game progressed, that edge became more and more apparent. All the Tigers had to do was recognize it. “We did…
Read More‘We’re not done yet’: Brewer, Tigers remain locked in on mission following semifinal win
COLUMBIA, Mo. — Preston Brewer tamed his excitement. As the Canton senior forward exited Wednesday’s Class 2 semifinal game against Puxico for the final time with the Tigers 1:12 away from securing the program’s first ever trip to a state title game, Brewer kept saying to his teammates, “One more.” Brewer did not want to…
Read MorePhoto gallery: Canton wins Class 2 state semifinal, will play for first championship in program history
COLUMBIA, Mo. — The Canton boys basketball team overcame a third-quarter deficit by dominating the interior in a 65-50 victory over Puxico in Wednesday night’s Class 2 state semifinals at Mizzou Arena. The Tigers shot 61.7 percent from the field and outrebounded the Indians 40-16. The Tigers will face Eugene at 8 p.m. Thursday in…
Read MoreTigers plan to stick to what they know in preparing for Class 2 state final four appearance
CANTON, Mo. — Whatever you want to call it — superstition, continuity, routine — it has worked. The Canton boys basketball team hasn’t changed anything about its approach, from the pregame meal to coach Dalton Armontrout’s outfit to the mode of transportation, during its run to the Class 2 state semifinals. “It’s important just to…
Read MoreCrim: Tigers head to loaded Class 2 final four at Mizzou Arena looking to ‘make a name for ourselves’
CANTON, Mo. — After accepting congratulatory handshakes and hugs and posing for pictures with teammates and fans, Preston Brewer finally felt the enormity of the moment. While trying to describe the physical pounding he took from relentless Harrisburg defenders for 32 minutes in Friday night’s Missouri Class 2 quarterfinal victory on his home court, he…
Read More‘We get to practice tomorrow’: Canton fends off Harrisburg to reach Class 2 final four
CANTON, Mo. — The Harrisburg boys basketball team was determined Preston Brewer would not beat it Friday night in the quarterfinals of the Missouri Class 2 state tournament. So, Kaden Oliver and Drew Gottman stepped up to keep Canton’s magical season alive. Oliver buried four of his five 3-pointers in the second half — all…
Read MoreClopton sets up postseason roadblock for Canton yet again, pulls away for sectional victory
CLARKSVILLE, Mo. — Having played for the Canton girls basketball team in the 2000s and coached the Tigers for the last 10 seasons, Danielle Baker knows how much of a perennial power Clopton has been for the better part of the last two decades. “Even when I was in high school, it was either you…
Read MoreCanton boys end sectional jinx, power past Clopton to reach Class 2 state quarterfinals
CLARKSVILLE, Mo. — Two seasons in a row, the Canton boys basketball team had reached the Missouri Class 2 sectional, and both times the final buzzer sounded the end to its season. This time, the Tigers got to celebrate. Canton scored the game’s opening 10 points and built a 20-point lead by the end of…
Read MoreTigers get over district championship hump, run away from Wildcats to capture crown
QUEEN CITY, Mo. — The reason the Canton girls basketball team didn’t receive the No. 1 seed for the Class 2 District 6 tournament seemed to make sense, at least on paper anyway. There was a three-game difference in the win column between top-seeded Milan and the second-seeded Tigers. What the straight numbers didn’t take…
Read MoreThree times the charm: Canton captures third consecutive district championship
QUEEN CITY, Mo. — Winning one district championship proved significant. Capturing a second crown was rewarding. But a third? In a row? That will leave you almost speechless. Just ask Preston Brewer. “I honestly can’t put it into words how I feel about winning it three times in a row,” the senior forward said Friday…
Read More‘I wouldn’t want to guard him’: Length, skill and humble work ethic make Canton’s Brewer tough to defend
CANTON, Mo. — A humble beast. Kaden Oliver, a junior guard on the Canton boys basketball team, gave that moniker to Preston Brewer, the Tigers’ 6-foot-8 senior forward and a friend of Oliver’s for 10 years. “He’s probably the most humble guy I’ve ever met in my life,” Oliver said. “He’s very hard-working, takes criticism…
Read MoreMonroe City’s cushion withstands Canton’s late barrage with spot in Lenzini Tournament title game at stake
PALMYRA, Mo. — Canton boys basketball coach Dalton Armontrout looked at the post-game numbers and shrugged his shoulders. “Too little, too late, I guess,” he said, trying to analyze what had just unfolded in the semifinals of the 82nd Tony Lenzini Tournament at Palmyra High School. No argument with that assessment. Monroe City held off…
Read MoreBattle of big men tips in Keokuk’s favor as supporting cast helps Chiefs win tourney title
LEWISTOWN, Mo. — Jaxon Clark and Preston Brewer were the marquee names heading into the finals of the 53rd Highland boys basketball tournament. And neither disappointed. Clark, however, benefitted from a deeper supporting cast in helping Keokuk (Iowa) turn back Canton 59-52 before a crowd of about 575 Saturday afternoon patrons. Clark, a 6-foot-10 junior…
Read MorePhoto gallery: Keokuk sweeps championships of 53rd Highland Tournament
LEWISTOWN, Mo. — The championships of the 53rd Highland Tournament are heading north of the state line. The Keokuk (Iowa) boys and girls basketball teams swept Saturday’s title games, beating Palmyra 65-62 in the girls matchup and knocking off Canton 59-52 to win the boys title. Muddy River Sports Writer Shane Hulsey was courtside for…
Read MoreTechnically speaking, Tigers take advantage of jumpstart to earn spot in Highland tourney title tilt
LEWISTOWN, Mo. — Canton’s Preston Brewer walked calmly to the free-throw line and swished four foul shots. Before the game had even started. The Canton boys basketball team had been awarded the four free throws for technical fouls assessed to Palmyra for pregame dunking, which is forbidden in high school games in most states. Those…
Read MorePalmyra overcomes first-half deficit, pulls away from Canton to earn spot in tourney title tilt
LEWISTOWN, Mo. — The rematch is set. The top-seeded Palmyra girls basketball team set up a showdown with third-seeded Keokuk (Iowa) in the finals of the 53rd Highland Tournament by beating Canton 57-34 in Wednesday night’s semifinals, giving the Panthers a chance to avenge last year’s title loss. Keokuk beat Palmyra 48-40 in the championship…
Read MoreSecond-half comeback by Lady Birds highlights solid efforts by area teams at Moberly Shootout
MOBERLY, Mo. — The state-ranked South Shelby and Highland girls basketball teams put the strength of the Clarence Cannon Conference on display Saturday. Trailing by 12 points at halftime, the Lady Birds rallied for a 52-44 victory over California in the Peak Sport and Spine Holiday Shootout at Moberly Area Community College. Callie McWilliams scored…
Read MoreMcKinney’s deflection preserves victory after Panthers storm back in fourth quarter
CANTON, Mo. — Ryan McKinney knew what was coming. He just had to stop it. With a second remaining in regulation and the Palmyra boys basketball team leading Canton 64-62, the Tigers were inbounding from under the Panthers’ basket in need of a basket to extend the game. Looming large above the pack in front…
Read MorePalmyra’s dynamic duo is too much for Canton to overcome
CANTON, Mo. — The Palmyra girls basketball team’s dynamic duo was extra dynamic on Friday. Seniors Clare Williams and Sydney Compton combined for all but three of Palmyra’s points as the Panthers outlasted Canton 54-49. Williams poured in 15 points in the first half and finished with 22 total. Compton caught fire in the second…
Read MorePhoto gallery: Palmyra sweeps Canton in pair of tight battles on hardwood
CANTON, Mo. — In a pair of games that weren’t deecided until the final minute — the final seconds in one case — the Palmyra boys and girls basketball teams each left Canton with a victory Friday night. The Palmyra girls won 54-49 before the boys sweated out a 64-62 victory. Muddy River Sports Writer…
Read MoreHighland’s Crist, Canton’s Taylor finish in top 11 at state golf tournament, Cougars take fourth as team
FARMINGTON, Mo. — Morgan Crist and the Highland girls golf team rebounded nicely Tuesday, and they have the hardware to prove it. Crist, a junior, shaved 12 strokes off her first-round total by shooting an 8-over 80 and climbing into a fifth-place tie individually at the Class 1 state golf tournament at Crown Pointe Golf…
Read MoreHighland in contention in Class 1, Canton’s Taylor is highest area golfer on state leaderboard
FARMINGTON, Mo. — The Highland girls golf team is in position to challenge for a top-three state finish following the first day of the Class 1 state tournament. The Cougars posted a 395 team total at Crown Pointe Golf Club and sit in fifth place, just six strokes behind Stover and Greenwood, who are tied…
Read MoreCrist leads Cougars to district title, state berth; five Monroe City golfers qualify for state
MOBERLY, Mo. — Morgan Crist was one of two golfers to break 90 as she led the Highland girls golf team to a Class 1 District 3 championship at Heritage Hills Golf Course. This district championship earned the Cougars a spot at the Class 1 state tournament. Crist shot an 18-over 88, tied with Marceline’s…
Read MoreCougars manufacture three runs in sixth inning, beat Tigers to gain leg up in Lewis County rivalry
EWING, Mo. — For at least a few days, the Highland softball team will have bragging rights in Lewis County. A three-run sixth inning, along with some steady play defensively, enabled the Cougars to knock off Canton 3-1 Tuesday night in the first of two regular-season meetings between the Lewis County schools. The Tigers will…
Read More‘I just wanted to play for him’: Ruffcorn, Tigers tough out win day after Birck’s death
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…
Read MorePhoto gallery: Canton, Bowling Green softball teams square off
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:
Read MoreMissouri softball preview: Highland reloads, Monroe City rebuilds, Canton reenergizes
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 ……
Read MoreMuddy River Showcase profile: Canton’s Macie Fisher contributes to Tigers’ winning legacy
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…
Read MoreCanton’s Biggerstaff finishes third at Class 1 state golf tourney for second consecutive year
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…
Read MoreCanton’s Biggerstaff in contention in Class 1 state golf championships
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,…
Read MoreCanton’s Biggerstaff has revenge on his mind ahead of state championships
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…
Read MoreCanton’s close call in relay highlights Class 1 state berths at Paris Sectional
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…
Read MoreAround the area: Canton wins golf invite, Saukees’ Simon tosses one-hitter, Blue Devils belt four homers
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…
Read MoreHarrisburg’s Combs uses third-quarter scoring spurt to end Canton’s season in sectionals
CANTON, Mo. — As they walked to the locker room at halftime trailing by only two points, the Canton boys basketball team found themselves with a legitimate chance to earn a spot in the Class 2 state quarterfinals. Trace Combs put an end to those hopes. Combs, a junior southpaw guard, scored 12 of his…
Read MoreAlspaw, Brewer give Tigers edge in district championship victory over Rams
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…
Read MorePalmyra boys win Lenzini Tournament championship for first time in quarter century
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…
Read MoreMonroe City’s turnaround continues with victory over Canton in tourney title game
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…
Read MoreBock’s 3-point barrage sparks Palmyra’s surge in title game victory over Canton
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…
Read MoreTurnovers, struggles engaging offensively cost Palmyra girls chance to win Highland tourney title
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…
Read MorePutting 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…
Read MoreTwo Bocks are better than one: Brothers team up to push Palmyra past Canton in early-season showdown
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,…
Read MorePhoto gallery: Palmyra basketball teams sweep doubleheader from Canton
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:
Read MoreCanton, Highland, Monroe City softball players earn all-state honors
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…
Read MoreCanton’s state title defense hits snag with loss to La Plata in district championship game
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,…
Read MoreCrist makes Highland history with third-place finish at Class 1 state golf tournament
SEDALIA, Mo. — A stronger start led to a memorable finish for Highland golfer Morgan Crist. Crist parred three holes on the front nine Tuesday, navigating the nine-hole stretch in six fewer strokes than she did Monday and setting the stage for her to finish third individually in the Class 1 state tournament at Sedalia…
Read MoreHighland, Canton send three golfers apiece to Class 1 girls state tournament
MOBERLY, Mo. — The Highland and Canton girls golf teams will be sending three golfers each to the state tournament following strong showings Thursday at the Class 1 District 3 tournament at Heritage Hills Golf Course. Each team placed three golfers among the top 25 individuals. They will tee it up at the Class 1…
Read MoreEight-run first inning propels Monroe City to victory in third-place game against Canton
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…
Read MoreShow Me Spotlight: Canton’s Fisher authoring memorable career as three-sport athlete
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…
Read MoreMissouri state golf: Three South Shelby golfers earn all-state honors
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — The trio of South Shelby boys golfers playing in the Class 2 state tournament made the most of their final round. All three have all-state honors to show for it. Jaaron Durbin and PJ Schmidt each leapfrogged more than a handful of golfers Tuesday at Rivercut Golf Course — Durbin climbed nine…
Read MoreMissouri state golf: Canton’s Biggerstaff, South Shelby’s Glover in contention for top-10 finishes
COLUMBIA, Mo. — Trevor Biggerstaff’s blistering start Monday at the Country Club of Missouri positioned him to chase a top-10 finish at the Class 1 state tournament. The Canton junior opened with an even-par 36, and although he found some trouble on his closing nine, Biggerstaff posted an 8-over 80 and is tied for seventh…
Read MoreMissouri golf roundup: Six area golfers head to state in Class 2, pair of Tigers qualify in Class 1
HANNIBAL, Mo. — Six area golfers qualified for the Class 2 boys state golf tournament by finishing among the top 15 individuals Monday at the Class 2 District 2 tournament at Norwoods Golf Course. South Shelby and Palmyra finished third and fourth, respectively, in the team standings, but only the top two teams advance. Lutheran…
Read MoreShow-Me Spotlight: Canton’s Clay finds college fit that makes her feel right at home
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…
Read MoreDon’t call it an upset: Canton defends Lenzini Tournament title, beats top-seeded Palmyra
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…
Read MorePalmyra boys in position to chase first Lenzini tourney championship since 1999
PALMYRA, Mo. — Bear Bock pulled no punches. He made it quite clear the Palmyra boys basketball team is on a mission. “It’s been 24 years since Palmyra won this tournament,” the 6-foot-4 junior forward said. “We want to bring the Lenzini championship back home.” Palmyra moved one step closer to that goal Wednesday night…
Read MoreCanton girls see Highland Tournament championship as step in right direction
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,…
Read MorePalmyra girls breathe life into second-half rally, use third-quarter surge to power past Canton
CANTON, Mo. — Never underestimate the power of a deep breath. Palmyra girls basketball coach Tim Southers said his primary goal at halftime Friday night was to simply try and get his club’s emotions under control. “I just told the girls to breathe and relax,” he said. They listened. And then they responded. The end…
Read MorePalmyra boys show maturity with strong finish to put away Canton for third straight victory
CANTON, Mo. — What a difference a year makes. At least for the Palmyra boys basketball team. “A year ago, I’m not sure we would have won a game like this,” Palmyra coach Brian Rea said. Rea was assessing Friday night’s 64-52 victory over Canton, a game that saw the Panthers pull away down the…
Read MorePrize of the Tigers: Canton shows moxie in upending Polo and winning Class 1 state softball championship
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…
Read MorePhoto gallery: Canton softball team wins Class 1 state championship, beating Polo 4-2
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…
Read MoreDon’t stop believing: Canton softball team rallies to earn spot in state championship game
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…
Read MorePhoto gallery: Canton softball team wins Class 1 state semifinal against Marion C. Early
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:
Read MoreFinal four bound: Hultz, Canton keep Braymer off-balance in state quarterfinal victory
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…
Read MoreTigers exact their revenge, overwhelm Bulldogs with extra-base hits to reach state quarterfinals
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…
Read MoreCanton 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,”…
Read MoreCanton escapes tenuous seventh-inning jam, captures fourth straight district championship
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…
Read MoreThe Rundown: QND wins at Great River Classic, two homers carry Canton, Illini West cruises
The fall slate of postseason events is underway, but that doesn’t mean the action is simmering down. Here is a look at the highlights from Thursday’s action: • Cole Henkenmeier scored off a Colin Kurk assist in the first half as the Quincy Notre Dame boys soccer team beat Normal U-High 2-0 in the opening…
Read MoreJWCC Show-Me Spotlight: Pressure to perform brings out best in Canton’s Gorrell
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…
Read MoreMonroe City fends off Canton’s seventh-inning rally to snare title of own tournament
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…
Read MoreArea Distributors Area Athlete of the Week: Canton’s Nariah Clay
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…
Read MoreMonroe City boys, Canton girls capture titles at 79th annual Tony Lenzini Invitational
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…
Read MoreYoungblood leads three Panthers receiving all-state softball honors
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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