Power in paint enables Keokuk to outlast Palmyra for girls title at Highland Tournament

Palmyra's Sydney Compton drives to the basket during Saturday's Highland Tournament championship game against Keokuk in Lewistown, Mo. | Shane Hulsey photo

LEWISTOWN, Mo. — As the second half played out, the ending seemed inevitable. Minute by minute, possession by possession, the Keokuk girls basketball team’s commanding inside presence methodically wore down Palmyra until eventually collecting a 65-62 victory in the championship game of the 53rd Highland Tournament. Keokuk’s title was its second straight and came largely…

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Battle of big men tips in Keokuk’s favor as supporting cast helps Chiefs win tourney title

Canton senior forward Preston Brewer works his way to the basket during Saturday's Highland Tournament championship game against Keokuk in Lewistown, Mo. | Shane Hulsey photo

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…

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Technically speaking, Tigers take advantage of jumpstart to earn spot in Highland tourney title tilt

Canton's Preston Brewer, center, goes up to block a shot by Palmyra's Ryan McKinney, right, during Thursday's semifinal of the 53rd Highland Tournament in Lewistown, Mo. | Photo courtesy Alicia Deming

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…

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Palmyra overcomes first-half deficit, pulls away from Canton to earn spot in tourney title tilt

The Palmyra girls basketball team's bench reacts to a play made by the Panthers during the third quarter of Wednesday night's victory over Canton in the semifinals of the 53rd Highland Tournament in Lewistown, Mo. | Addi Zanger photo

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…

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Chiefs feeling right at home at Highland Tournament, upend Cougars in semifinals

Keokuk forward Kendra Boatman, left, looks for space while being defended by Highland's Addy Abell during Wednesday night's semifinals of the 53rd Highland Tournament in Lewistown, Mo. | Addi Zanger photo

LEWISTOWN, Mo. — Matt McGhghy is learning to enjoy that 45-mile commute. The second-year Keokuk (Iowa) girls basketball coach has brought his team to the Highland Tournament for the past two seasons and has yet to taste defeat. Third-seeded Keokuk’s latest victory came in Wednesday night’s 54-44 semifinal conquest of second-seeded Highland. That victory sets…

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Photo gallery: Palmyra, Keokuk girls win Highland Tournament semifinals

Palmyra guard Clare Williams, right, runs the offense against Canton during Wednesday night's semifinal matchup in the 53rd Highland Tournament in Lewistown, Mo. | Addi Zanger photo

LEWISTOWN, Mo. — The Palmyra and Keokuk girls basketball teams set up a championship rematch by winning their semifinals of the 53rd Highland Tournament on Wednesday night. Muddy River Sports Photographer Addi Zanger was there and put together this photo gallery:

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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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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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