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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‘It’s the best feeling in the entire world’: Highland wins Class 2 state softball championship

The Highland softball team celebrates its Class 2 state championship after beating Mid-Buchanan 4-1 in Saturday's title game at the Killian Softball Complex in Springfield, Mo. | Photo courtesy MSHSAA

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — The Highland softball program’s 2005 state championship trophy finally has company. The Cougars bested Mid-Buchanan 4-1 Saturday at the Killian Softball Complex to capture the Class 2 state title. “I’m still trying to process it,” Cougars coach Paul Scifres said. “Hard to believe, pretty surreal.” Cougars pitcher Abby Lay retired the Dragons…

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Lundberg’s headfirst slide across home plate earns Highland spot in state softball title game

Highland's Ali Lundberg dives headfirst across home plate to score the go-ahead run with two outs in the top of the eighth inning in the Cougars' 2-1 victory over Linn in the Class 2 state semifinals at Killian Softball Complex in Springfield, Mo. | Photo courtesy Will Johnson

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — A headfirst slide, a cloud of dust and a trip to the state championship game. With two outs in the top of the eighth in Friday’s Class 2 state softball semifinal at the Killian Softabll Complex, Highland’s Ali Lundberg scored on a passed ball to give the Cougars a 2-1 lead over…

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Recipe for success: Cougars’ explosive offense, Lay’s pitching and hearty breakfast casserole add up to state final four berth

Highland pitcher Abby Lay has not allowed a run in mor than 26 innings and has given up just two hits in the postseason heading into Friday's Class 2 state semifinal against Linn at the Killian Softball Complex in Springfield, Mo. | Shane Hulsey photo

LEWISTOWN, Mo. — If he were in the other dugout, Paul Scifres would not welcome the thought of facing the Highland softball team right now. He would welcome some of his wife Kendra’s breakfast casserole before a state championship game, though. In his 18th season as the Highland coach, Paul Scifres has guided the Cougars…

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First-inning runs give Cougars momentum as victory over Bulldogs earns final four berth

The Highland softball team advanced to the state tournament for the first time since 2005, beating South Harrison 9-0 in Saturday's Class 2 state quarterfinal in Bethany, Mo. | Submitted photo

BETHANY, Mo. — The moment wasn’t too big for the Highland softball team. Their venture to the final four won’t be, either. The Cougars handled South Harrison 9-0 in Saturday’s Class 2 quarterfinal at Memorial Park. “They came out determined, focused and put out a great outing and a phenomenal performance,” Cougars coach Paul Scifres…

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Highland’s Crist, Canton’s Taylor finish in top 11 at state golf tournament, Cougars take fourth as team

Highland's Morgan Crist, left, and Canton's Hanna Taylor earned state medals after placing in the top 11 at the Class 1 state golf tournament at Crown Pointe Golf Club in Farmington, Mo. | Submitted photo

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…

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Highland’s district softball championship just as grand as Rothweiler’s slam that powered it

The Highland softball team celebrates winning the Class 2 District 5 championship following Saturday's 15-0 victory over Monroe City in Lewistown, Mo. | Shane Hulsey photo

LEWISTOWN, Mo. — A home run trot? Not so much. A home run sprint? That’s more like it. Keera Rothweiler wanted to get to home plate as quickly as she could to celebrate with her teammates after her grand slam in the first inning of Highland’s 15-0 victory over Monroe City in the Class 2…

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‘We’ve got a good thing going’: Highland softball team rolls into district title game with momentum

The Highland softball team greets Haleigh Winter at home plate after her fourth-inning home run Thursday in the Class 2 District 5 semifinal victory over Clark County. | Shane Hulsey photo

LEWISTOWN, Mo. — Time will tell how long the Highland softball team’s postseason run lasts, but coach Paul Scifres believes the Cougars have something special brewing.  Junior Abby Lay twirled a five-inning no-hitter and senior Haleigh Winter matched the school single-season home run record as the top-seeded Cougars rolled over fifth-seeded Clark County 13-0 Thursday…

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Photo gallery: Highland, Monroe City reach Class 2 District 5 softball championship game

Highland coach Paul Scifres, right, greets pitcher Abby Lay on her way to the dugout during Thursday's Class 2 District 5 semifinal victory over Clark County in Lewistown, Mo. | Shane Hulsey photo

To purchase digital downloads or prints of Muddy River Sports photos,click here to visit our SmugMug site. LEWISTOWN, Mo. — The top-seeded Highland softball team and second-seeded Monroe City will meet for the third time this season at 1 p.m. Saturday after earning their spots in the Class 2 District 5 championship game. Highland dispatched…

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Youthful area golfers set to embrace opportunity state tournament play provides

Quincy Notre Dame sophomore Olliver Hendrian will be making his second state tournament appearance when the Raiders tee it up Friday in the Class 1A event at Prairie Vista Golf Course in Bloomington, Ill.

QUINCY — Why wait to be great? Throughout the prep golf season, with the Quincy Notre Dame and Illini West boys golf teams battling for supremacy and the QND girls team consistently showcasing its depth, comments regarding each team’s youthful lineup focused on the future instead of the present. One of the more common refrains…

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Highland girls golfers making name for themselves with sustained success

Highland's Morgan Crist hits out of the bunker during her round of the Troy Invitational, where she finished 14th in a field of 88 players. | Shane Hulsey photo

LEWISTOWN, Mo. — In less than two full seasons, the Highland girls golf program has put itself on the map. In 2023 — Highland’s first year fielding a girls golf team as a varsity program — the Cougars finished third out of 11 teams at the Class 1 District 3 Tournament and sent three golfers…

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Two-minute flurry enables Panthers to turn CCC matchup with Cougars into lopsided affair

Palmyra quarterback Rylan Compton threw two touchdown passes to Laden Simmons during Friday night's Clarence Cannon Conference victory over Highland in Palmyra, Mo. | Mathew Kirby photo

PALMYRA, Mo. — In the blink of an eye, a one-score game turned into a rout. Its explosive offense held relatively in check during the opening 17 minutes Friday night, the Palmyra football team turned three Highland turnovers into 24 points in a little more than two minutes late in the first half to take…

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Photo gallery: Area teams converge at Porter Stadium in Hannibal for football jamboree

The Hannibal football team's offense, under the direction of senior quarterback Waylon Anders, is expected to pile up points this season. | Mathew Kirby photo

HANNIBAL, Mo. — The Hannibal football team’s Class 4 state title aspirations were in full bloom Friday night as the Pirates were able to showcase some of the talent and depth that has fans in America’s hometown excited about the upcoming season. Palmyra, Highland, Mark Twain and Bowling Green displayed their own reasons for optimism.…

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Countdown to kickoff: Highland optimistic and realistic about what it takes to compete in CCC

Johnathan Hager, a senior, is making the move from wide receiver to quarterback and will run the Highland football team's offense this fall. | Shane Hulsey photo

Coverage of the Highland football program brought to you by: EWING, Mo. — Caleb Arnsman is an enthusiastic guy. He’s realistic, too. “My fever for this game never stops,” said the third-year Highland football coach. “Even when the season ends, I usually take about a week off, then reset and get going again.” That’s Arnsman’s…

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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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Highland’s Campen follows in mother’s footsteps, brings versatility to Muddy River Showcase

Brady Campen displayed his versatility while playing every position last winter for the Highland boys basketball team. | Shane Hulsey photo

LEWISTOWN, Mo. — Brady Campen couldn’t recall the age he began playing basketball. “My mom got me started really young,” Campen said. Not a bad person to learn from. Campen’s mother — Amber Law Campen — starred at Carthage (Ill.) High School, where she averaged 18.6 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2 assists, and 4 steals and…

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Highland’s Logsdon finds calling after injury, returns to floor for Muddy River Showcase

Highland's Brayden Logsdon gets one final chance to represent his school and community during Saturday's third annual Muddy River Showcase at John Wood Community College's Student Activity Center. | Shane Hulsey photo

LEWISTOWN, Mo. — Sometimes an injury can be a blessing in disguise. While he couldn’t play the sports he loved, Brayden Logsdon found his calling in coaching. Logsdon tore his right meniscus as he ran a quarterback keeper up the middle during the Highland football team’s Week 5 game against Macon on September 22, 2023.…

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‘I couldn’t help but smile’: C-SC’s Mallett qualifies for nationals in first season as decathlete

Culver-Stockton College sophomore Drew Mallett competes in the long jump as part of the decathlon, which he won at the Heart of America Athletic Conference Championships to earn a bid to the NAIA Outdoor Track and Field Championships. | Photo courtesy C-SC athletics

CANTON, Mo. — Until a year ago, Drew Mallett had no intentions of participating in the decathlon. “I didn’t even know if colleges had that stuff or not,” Mallett said. Now, the Culver-Stockton College sophomore and Highland High School graduate is headed to this week’s NAIA Outdoor Track and Field Championships after winning the Heart…

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Medal haul: Cougars win 4×200 relay state title, finish on podium in five other events

Highland's Chevie Sharpe takes the handoff from teammate Addy Abell during the 4x400 relay at the Class 2 state championships at Adkins Stadium in Jefferson City, Mo. | Photo courtesy Will Johnson

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — A four-medal day at the state track and field championships is a harbinger of great things to come. Chevie Sharpe knows it. “Harder than ever,” the Highland sophomore runner said of the motivation to work hard after Saturday’s showing at Adkins Stadium. “I’d love to get up there (at the top…

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Sharpe, Cougars chase top podium finishes after qualifying for state track and field finals

Highland's Chevie Sharpe, left, takes the handoff from Addy Abell during a relay race Friday at the Class 2 state track and field championships at Adkins Stadium in Jefferson City, Mo. | Photo courtesy Will Johnson

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — A bevy of area athletes will take their shot at finishing as high on the podium as possible Saturday during the Missouri state track and field championships. Highland sophomore Chevie Sharpe will have three cracks at that. Sharpe qualified third in the 400-meter dash with a time of 58.59 seconds. She…

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Around the diamond: Mustangs rally in seventh, Blue Devils scored 11 in first, Saukees suffer first loss

MENDON, Ill. — Trailing by two runs heading into the bottom of the seventh inning Thursday, the Mendon Unity baseball team needed baserunners to even think about a rally. Six consecutive batters safely reaching did the trick. Ben McClelland and Sawyer Allen started the rally with back-to-back singles before the Mustangs’ patience kicked in. Three…

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Palmyra boys put cap on CCC championship, turn sights to postseason success

The Palmyra boys basketball team celebrates its perfect run through the Clarence Cannon Conference, which the Panthers capped Saturday with a 54-30 victory over Highland in Palmyra, Mo. | Photo courtesy Beau Hicks

PALMYRA, Mo. — Now the real fun begins. The Palmyra boys basketball team capped a perfect run through the Clarence Cannon Conference on Saturday afternoon en route to securing its 19th straight victory — a 54-30 vanquishing of Highland. Next on the Panthers’ to-do list is to make a strong run in the Class 3…

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Raiders hold off Bulldogs to secure 1,000th victory in girls basketball program’s history

Quincy Notre Dame’s Tristan Pieper, right, looks to shoot while being defended by Highland’s Larissa Taylor during the second half of Saturday night’s girls basketball game during the Gully Transportation Shootout in The Pit. | David Adam photo

QUINCY — The Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball team’s 37-31 victory over Highland on Saturday evening was the 1,000th in program history. But that historic win did not come without a struggle. QND, which remains undefeated at 4-0, was not able to put away Highland (1-4) until the final minute of play at The Pit.…

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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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Monroe City pounds ground with dominant running game in earning district victory

Monroe City running back Quincy Mayfield, left, and Highland linebacker Alex Oenning collide during Friday night's district game at Lankford Field in Monroe City, Mo. | Photo courtesy Paul R. Evans

MONROE CITY, Mo. — The Monroe City football team needed a fourth-quarter rally to fend off Highland when the teams first met this season. No comeback was necessary the second time around. Sophomores Quincy Mayfield and Jayden Holland combined for 244 rushing yards and four touchdowns to enable the Panthers to post a 34-0 victory…

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Big first inning carries Bowling Green to district title victory over top-ranked Highland

Highland softball coach Paul Scifres talks to his team following an 8-4 loss to Bowling Green in the Class 2 District 5 championship game Monday in Shelbina, Mo. | Steve Eighinger photo

SHELBINA, Mo. — By the time Megan Graver delivered her first pitch of the game, she already felt as if the weight of the world had been lifted from her shoulders. When the Bowling Green softball team’s diminutive right-hander walked to the pitcher’s circle in the bottom of the first inning, her teammates had already…

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Schuck on a Truck: Captains of Highland softball team discuss No. 1 ranking, postseason chances

EWING, Mo. — The Highland softball team heads into the postseason as the No. 1-ranked team in Class 2, riding an 18-game win streak and backed by a record-setting offensive attack. The Cougars’ captains — Emma Harshberger, Olivia Ritterbusch and Haleigh Winter — joined Highland coach Paul Scifres on the tailgate of Muddy River Sports…

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Missouri prep notebook: Cougars extend win streak to 18, three qualify for state tennis tourney, Keller sets Monroe City record

The Highland softball team finished the regular season with a 26-2 record and heads into the playoffs as the No. 1-ranked team in Class 2. | Submitted photo

EWING, Mo. — The No. 1-ranked softball team in Missouri Class 2 is charging into the postseason with a full head of steam. Highland finished its regular season Monday night with a 15-0 victory over Scotland County, putting a stamp on a 26-2 record. The Cougars have won 18 games in a row, and their…

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Show Me Spotlight: Softball superhero is role Highland’s Harshberger continues to reprise

Highland senior infielder/pitcher Emma Harshberger recently broke Avery Johnson's career hits record of 132 knocks. | Photo courtesy Highland High School

EWING, Mo. — Emma Harshberger and her Highland softball teammates found themselves in the crosshairs before the meat of their schedule began. The initial Missouri High School Fastpitch Coaches Association state rankings were released Sept. 11 with Highland topping the Class 2 poll. The Cougars have won five consecutive games since then, improving to 13-2…

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Fourth-quarter rally enables Panthers to survive Cougars’ upset bid in CCC opener

Monroe CIty linebacker Dylan Ross, right, brings down Highland quarterback Brayden Logsdon during Friday night's Clarence Cannon Conference game at Lankford Field in Monroe City, Mo. | Photo courtesy Paul R. Evans

MONROE CITY, Mo. — The Highland football team was clinging to dreams of pulling off a monumental upset through three quarters. Monroe City dashed them in the fourth. The Panthers scored 22 unanswered points in the final 10 minutes, 10 seconds Friday night to snatch a 30-14 victory from the Cougars in the Clarence Cannon…

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Friday Night Lights rewind: Cougars mount another rally, Pleasant Hill field vandalized, Panthers score four defensive TDs

The Highland football team is 2-0 heading into Clarence Cannon Conference play after beating Scotland County 14-6. | Photo courtesy Payton Miller

QUINCY — Call them the Comeback Cougars. Two weeks in a row, the Highland football team has needed to erase a deficit to be able to head into Clarence Cannon Conference play with an unblemished record. Both times, the Cougars have figured out a way to get into the end zone. Last Friday night, the…

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Highland softball team uses extra effort to complete sweep and win Classic championship

The Highland softball team won a pair of extra-inning games Saturday to capture the championship of the Francis Howell Central Classic in Cottleville, Mo. | Photo courtesy Amber Garner

COTTLEVILLE, Mo. — A pair of extra-inning victories Saturday enabled the Highland softball team to remain undefeated and capture the championship of the 13th annual Francis Howell Central Classic. The Cougars scored seven runs in the top of the eighth inning to score a 14-7 victory over Westminster Christian and followed it by scoring a…

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Friday Night Lights: Week 1 offers lopsided scores, Campen’s big run and bolts of lightning

Hannibal senior lineman Noah Young walks off the field after the coin toss prior to Friday night’s game against Jefferson City Helias at Ray Hentges Stadium in Jefferson City, Mo. Photo courtesy Maya Bell, Jefferson City News Tribune

QUINCY — The opening week of the high school football season didn’t offer many surprises or alter many opinions, except for one head-scratching result. That happened at Ray Hentges Stadium in Jefferson City, Mo. Hannibal expected to be challenged by Jefferson City Helias, but the third-quarter breakdowns that resulted in the Crusaders scoring three touchdowns…

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Muddy River Showcase Spotlight: Highland’s Ansley Bringer

Highland senior Ansley Bringer averaged 15 points per game and collected 90 steals last winter. | Photo courtesy Mathew Kirby

The Muddy River Showcase featuring 40 of the area’s top senior basketball players from Illinois and Missouri takes place June 17 at John Wood Community College’s Student Activity Center. The girls game begins at 4 p.m. with the boys game to follow at 6 p.m. Admission is $10 at the door. EWING, Mo. — Ansley…

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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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Cougars see offense come to life to pull off district upset of Tigers

CENTER, Mo. — First-year Highland football coach Caleb Arnsman reminded the Cougars the records get washed away in the postseason and the season starts anew. A fresh approach led to remarkable results. Sixth-seeded Highland opened Class 1 District 6 play Friday night by upsetting third-seeded Mark Twain 32-16 to earn a shot at second-seeded South…

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Muddy River Showcase: Caring for kids comes natural for Highland’s Goings

Highland guard Summer Goings, center, gets introduced before a game in Ewing, Mo., last season. Submitted photo

The inaugural Muddy River Showcase is taking place June 18 at John Wood Community College’s Student Activity Center. The Illinois vs. Missouri format for senior prep basketball players will feature a girls game at 3 p.m. with the boys game to follow at 5 p.m. Admission is $10 at the door and all seating is general…

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Monroe City girls start, finish final day of state track with medal, trophy haul

The Monroe City girls 4x400-meter relay team took second place at the Missouri Class 2 state track and field championships. Photo courtesy Cody Thorn

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — The day started with a spot on the podium and ended with a trophy for the Monroe City girls track and field team. The Panthers’ quartet of Audri Youngblood, Meghan Hays, Ella Hays and Emmalee Williams took second in the 4×800-meter relay. They finished in 10:10.52, 10 seconds behind Lawson. That…

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Perfect exit: Monroe City seniors win final home game for program’s sixth straight district crown

The Monroe City boys basketball team won its sixth straight district championship Saturday night, beating Highland 69-40. Submitted photo

MONROE CITY, Mo. — The last act deserved a standing ovation. The Monroe City faithful obliged. The final time a senior class that has set itself apart as one of the most successful in program history played at home resulted in an incredible accomplishment as the top-seeded Monroe City boys basketball team won its sixth…

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Top-seeded Panthers, third-seeded Cougars will meet for district championship

Monroe City’s Josiah Talton takes the ball to the basket around South Shelby’s Trey Countryman during the Class 3 District 6 semifinals Friday night in Monroe City, Mo. Photo courtesy Mathew Kirby

MONROE CITY, Mo. — Joshua Talton and the Monroe City boys basketball team made it crystal clear who the team to beat in the Class 3 District 6 tournament is. And it didn’t take long to deliver the message. Talton, the senior guard, scored 14 of the top-seeded Panthers’ 25 first-quarter points Friday night and…

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Panthers bring Clarence Cannon Conference championship home

The Monroe City football team celebrates winning the Clarence Cannon Conference championship following a 54-20 victory over Highland on Friday night. Submitted photo

EWING, Mo. — The Monroe City football team is bringing another title back to titletown. The Panthers raced out to a 32-0 lead and dispatched Highland 54-20 to win the Clarence Cannon Conference championship and lock up a No. 1 district seed. For all the explosive offensive plays on display, it was a defensive stop…

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