Smith, Bock provide punch as Palmyra takes momentum into own tourney after CCC victory

By Don Crim, Senior Columnist | January 18, 2025
Palmyra's Pierce White drives to the basket during Friday night's Clarence Cannon Conference game against Centralia in Palmyra, Mo. | Photo courtesy Alicia Deming

PALMYRA. Mo. — Mason Smith and Hudson Bock are becoming a formidable one-two scoring punch. The guards combined to score 31 points in the first half and 53 overall Friday night to help carry the Palmyra boys basketball team to a 72-58 victory over Centralia in the Clarence Cannon Conference opener for both teams. Smith’s…

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Tale of two halves defensively ends with Palmyra suffocating Unity over final 16 minutes

By Shane Hulsey, Sports Writer | December 21, 2024
Palmyra senior guard Mason Smith drives through the lane during Friday's game against Mendon Unity in Palmyra, Mo. | Shane Hulsey photo

PALMYRA, Mo. — Hudson Bock could not have imagined two more polar opposite defensive performances from the Palmyra boys basketball team against Mendon Unity on Friday. “Our defense was really good in the second half, but it was absolutely awful in the first half,” Bock said. After taking a 39-35 lead into halftime, the Panthers…

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Boost from Smith’s 3-pointer ignites Panthers’ closing kick in victory over Raiders

By Shane Hulsey, Sports Writer | December 18, 2024
Palmyra senior guard Mason Smith celebrates his go-ahead 3-pointer in the fourth quarter of the Panthers' 66-58 win over Quincy Notre Dame on Tuesday night in Palmyra, Mo. | Shane Hulsey photo

PALMYRA, Mo. — It was as if Mason Smith had flipped a switch. As soon as the Palmyra senior guard’s go-ahead 3-pointer with 3:50 left in the fourth quarter of the Panthers’ clash with Quincy Notre Dame on Tuesday swished through the net and the home crowd erupted, Smith could feel the electricity pulsing through…

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