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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Photo gallery: Keokuk sweeps championships of 53rd Highland Tournament

Palmyra senior guard Clare Williams executes a crossover dribble during Saturday's Highland Tournament championship game against Keokuk in Lewistown, Mo. | Shane Hulsey photo

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…

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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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Chiefs’ size tips scale in fourth quarter as Raiders close regular season with loss at home

Quincy Notre Dame's Noah Lunt, left, tries to defend Keokuk's Jaxson Clark during the second half of Friday night's game at The Pit. | Ron Kinscherf photo

QUINCY — Kevin Meyer felt the Quincy Notre Dame boys basketball team was about to turn the “juice” loose. Alas, there was no juice. Only squeezing. And it was the Raiders who wound up getting squeezed over the final eight minutes Friday night in a 55-45 loss to Keokuk in front of a Senior Night…

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Raiders rebound from tough loss, find confidence and momentum heading into postseason

From left to right, Quincy Notre Dame defenders Jake Hoyt, Blake Bozarth, Josh Bocke and Charlie Lavery keep Keokuk's Diego Garcia out of the lane during Friday night's game at The Pit.

QUINCY — Enough was enough. The Quincy Notre Dame boys basketball players needed to address the reasons why they lost to West Hancock on the road Tuesday night and what was contributing to the Raiders’ recent slump. So when the coaching staff gathered them for practice at the Pit, the Raiders seized the opportunity to…

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