Countdown to tipoff: Coaching staff links Hannibal’s past to its present to rebuild success

By Shane Hulsey, Sports Writer | November 19, 2024
First-year Hannibal coach Josh Pickett will look to rebuild a program that hasn't had a winning season in five years and graduated eight seniors from last year's squad. | Shane Hulsey photo

Coverage of the Hannibal boys basketball team is brought to you by: HANNIBAL, Mo. — In Dezi Jones’ mind, the only thing better than coaching with Josh Pickett would have been the chance to play with him. “Imagine if we played together,” Jones said. Pickett liked the thought of that, too. “I wouldn’t mind passing…

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Jones dazzles, Schreacke shines and Talton scores in season debuts on college hardwood

By Muddy River Sports | November 7, 2023
Hannibal product Dezi Jones, right, led the Austin Peay men's basketball team to a 90-72 victory over Life University on Monday night in his debut with the Governors. | Photo courtesy Robert Smith, APSU Athletics

QUINCY — Three area basketball products enjoyed solid season debuts Monday. Hannibal’s Dezi Jones dazzled in his first game with the Austin Peay men’s basketball program. Quincy Notre Dame’s Abbey Schreacke helped the Missouri women’s basketball team open with a victory. And Quincy High School’s Jeremiah Talton reached double digits for the Lindenwood men. Jones,…

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Jones, former Hannibal all-stater, arrested in Connecticut and charged with strangulation, disorderly conduct

By Muddy River Sports | March 30, 2023
Former Quinnipiac guard Dezi Jones, a Hannibal all-stater and the Pirates' all-time leading scorer, was arrested Tuesday and charged with misdemeanor strangulation/suffocation and disorderly conduct by the Hamden (Conn.) Police Department. | Photo courtesy Quinnipiac Athletics

HAMDEN, Conn. — Former Hannibal multi-sport standout Dezi Jones was arrested by the Hamden Police Department on Tuesday night and charged with misdemeanor strangulation/suffocation and disorderly conduct, according to police reports. The arrest was first reported by NBC Connecticut. Jones, a 5-foot-10 guard who spent the previous two seasons on the Quinnipiac University men’s basketball…

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Hannibal’s Jones earns second-team All-MAAC after guiding Quinnipiac to third place in league

By Muddy River Sports | March 7, 2023
Hannibal native Dezi Jones received second-team All-Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference honors after guiding Quinnipiac to a third-place finish in the regular season. | Photo courtesy Quinnipiac athletics

HANNIBAL, Mo. — Dezi Jones’ junior season proved to be one that made the men’s basketball coaches around the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference take note. The Hannibal native received second-team All-MAAC honors this week after guiding Quinnipiac to a third-place finish in the regular-season standings. The 5-foot-10 guard led the Bobcats in scoring at 12.4…

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