Panthers survive Cougars’ fourth-quarter rally, will play for Monroe City Tournament championship

Palmyra senior point guard Clare Williams celebrates with her team after the Panthers' 48-43 victory over Highland in the 100th Monroe City Tournament semifinals on Wednesday night in Monroe City, Mo. | Shane Hulsey photo

MONROE CITY, Mo. — Why? That is all Palmyra girls basketball coach Kelsey Stuart could think as she watched Highland eat away at the Panthers’ 19-point lead over the final 4 minutes, 45 seconds of Wednesday night’s semifinal in the 100th Monroe City Tournament. “Why did we decide to feel comfortable even though I warned…

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Palmyra’s dynamic duo is too much for Canton to overcome

Palmyra senior Sydney Compton shoots a jumper over Canton's Brenna Brewer during the second half of the Panthers' 54-49 victory over the Tigers on Friday in Canton, Mo. | Shane Hulsey photo

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…

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Countdown to tipoff: Compton, Williams ready to lead Palmyra in final go-around together

Palmyra senior Sydney Compton, who has signed with Quincy University, is one of two seniors on the Panthers' roster ready to lead them in pursuit of a district championship. | Mathew Kirby photo

Coverage of the Palmyra girls basketball team is brought to you by: PALMYRA, Mo. — Kelsey Stuart noticed it right away. Put Clare Williams and Sydney Compton together on a basketball court and there’s a special connection. “It’s honestly a feeling that is difficult to describe,” said Stuart, who is entering her second season as…

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State-ranked Palmyra girls shake off sluggish start to power past Bowling Green

Palmyra's Ashley Bode, left, looks to score during Thursday's game against Bowling Green in Palmyra, Mo. | Photo courtesy Alicia Deming

PALMYRA, Mo. — Enough was enough. About halfway through the first quarter Thursday night, Palmyra girls basketball coach Kelsey Stuart had witnessed her club commit too many turnovers, miss way too many free throws and play a generally ineffective brand of basketball. She called for a timeout. What was actually said during that break in…

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Fast finish in fourth fuels furious Palmyra girls’ comeback in victory over South Shelby 

Palmyra's Clare Williams, who scored 12 points and grabbed eight rebounds goes up for a shot during Friday night's girls basketball game against South Shelby in Palmyra, Mo. | Photo courtesy of Alicia Deming

PALMYRA, Mo. — When asked if she had been worried at any point, Palmyra junior point guard Clare Williams responded matter-of-factly, “I knew we’d eventually have a run.” Palmyra did just that Friday night, rattling off 12 straight points in the fourth quarter on the way to a 50-44 Clarence Cannon Conference girls basketball victory…

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Nothing but net: Williams’ buzzer-beating 3-pointer lifts Palmyra girls to tourney championship

The Palmyra girls basketball team won the championship of the 99th Monroe City Tournament by beating South Shelby 64-61 Saturday night in Monroe City, Mo. | Submitted photo

MONROE CITY, Mo. — By design, Clare Williams’ first option was to pass the ball. Fortunately, that did not work out. Williams wound up unleashing a 22-foot bomb that found nothing but net as time expired Saturday night, sending the Palmyra girls basketball team to a 64-61 victory over South Shelby in the finals of…

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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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JWCC Show-Me Spotlight: Goats and guarding made for quick summer for Palmyra’s Williams

Palmyra sophomore Clare Williams, center, shows her goat, Luigi, at the Missouri State Fair in Sedalia, Mo. | Submitted photo

PALMYRA, Mo. — The goats have gone to college. After Clare Williams, her brother Noah, and their cousin, Pierce White, finished showing goats at the Missouri State Fair, the animals were transported to the University of Missouri in Columbia for college students to observe and work with them. They earned a break from the fair…

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