Posts Tagged ‘Palmyra’
Countdown to tipoff: Palmyra heads into season with new-look roster, same all-together mentality
Coverage of the Palmyra boys basketball team brought to you by: PALMYRA, Mo. — The game of hand soccer at the end of the Palmyra boys basketball team’s practice on Tuesday was not just a chance to goof off before going home. It served multiple purposes. The object of the game, which involves two teams…
Read MoreCountdown to tipoff: Compton, Williams ready to lead Palmyra in final go-around together
Coverage of the Palmyra girls basketball team is brought to you by: PALMYRA, Mo. — Kelsey Stuart noticed it right away. Put Clare Williams and Sydney Compton together on a basketball court and there’s a special connection. “It’s honestly a feeling that is difficult to describe,” said Stuart, who is entering her second season as…
Read MoreClark County swings momentum back in its favor, ends Palmyra’s season in district quarterfinals
PALMYRA, Mo. — Laden Simmons thought the Palmyra football team had snatched the game away from Clark County. The Indians snatched it right back and put the dagger in the Panthers’ season shortly thereafter to close out a 26-22 victory in Friday’s Class 2 District 7 quarterfinal. Simmons’ second touchdown of the night tied the…
Read MoreSchuckman: Game-used football celebrates faith and family as much as it does King’s first TD
WARRENSBURG, Mo. — Weston King wasn’t giving up the football, even if it was the referee who asked it. Last Saturday, with the University of Central Missouri football team trailing Washburn 28-24 at the start of the fourth quarter, King found himself in a surprising position. The senior defensive tackle and team co-captain lined up…
Read More‘They just kept working away’: Success of Fohey-led Palmyra girls basketball teams leads to induction into Missouri Sports Hall of Fame
PALMYRA, Mo. — Robert Fohey didn’t have some secret formula. He didn’t have some magical play that worked every time. Yes, he coached the Palmyra girls basketball teams to five final fours from 1981 to 1986. Yes, the Panthers reached the state championship game all five times they reached the final four and won three…
Read MoreMonroe City’s defense tightens up after offensive blitzkrieg, beats Palmyra to win Mayor’s Cup
MONROE CITY, Mo. — Monroe City and Palmyra wasted no time in throwing punches. The two Clarence Cannon Conference football rivals needed just 13 combined plays to score two touchdowns apiece in the opening 5 minutes, 58 seconds Friday night in the annual Mayor’s Cup game at Lankford Field. “It was crazy,” Monroe City coach…
Read More‘It was like a movie’: Copenhaver’s recovery from knee reconstruction is all about faith and determination
PALMYRA, Mo. — Drew Copenhaver’s faith never wavered, no matter how improbable his comeback seemed as he lied on the turf with his right knee obliterated. Facing Centralia in the Clarence Cannon Conference football opener last fall, the Palmyra wide receiver made a spectacular overe-the-shoulder catch, was dragged down from behind a yard short of…
Read MoreCrim: Panthers refuse to settle for just winning games, focus on climb to top of CCC
PALMYRA, Mo. — The Palmyra football team has accomplished what it needed to do during the first four weeks of the season. Win the winnable games. The Panthers ran their record to 3-1 Friday night with a 46-6 victory over winless Highland. That’s one more win than the previous two teams recorded combined. They haven’t…
Read MoreTwo-minute flurry enables Panthers to turn CCC matchup with Cougars into lopsided affair
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…
Read MoreHarriers tackle Flower City Park’s hills head-on during 10th annual Palmyra Invitational
PALMYRA, Mo. — Monroe City freshman Anna Russell is quick to point out what makes the Flower City Park cross country course — the site of Saturday’s 10th annual Palmyra Invitational — so challenging. “Lots of hills,” Russell said. It wasn’t just the number of hills that made it so tough, either. “The gradual incline…
Read MorePanthers control line of scrimmage in running roughshod past Tigers in CCC opener
PALMYRA, Mo. — The work the Palmyra football players have invested into becoming a more physical team is paying significant dividends. Friday night, it paved the way to Clarence Cannon Conference whitewashing of Macon. The Panthers churned out more than 440 yards on the ground with a dominant effort from the 1-2 punch of Landon…
Read MoreThe St. Clair way: Bobcats’ ground-and-pound attack overwhelms Panthers as Hall of Fame coach earns 200th victory
BOWLING GREEN, Mo. — While Mark St. Clair’s 200th career head coaching victory will go on his personal resume, he was quick to pass the credit to others in his circle who have helped make that accomplishment possible. “There have been a lot of people who have contributed to every one of my wins —…
Read MorePhoto gallery: St. Clair’s milestone victory comes at Palmyra’s expense
To purchase digital downloads or prints of Muddy River Sports photos,click here to visit out SmugMug site. BOWLING GREEN, Mo. — Mark St. Clair enjoyed a milestone moment Friday night as the former Hannibal football coach, who is know at the helm of the Bowling Green program, won his 200th career game in the Bobcats’…
Read MorePhoto gallery: QND takes tennis dual from Palmyra at Reservoir Park
To purchase digital downloads or prints of Muddy River Sports photos,click here to visit our SmugMug site QUINCY — The Quincy Notre Dame girls tennis team earned a 7-2 victory over Palmyra on Wednesday at Reservoir Park. The Raiders won five of the six singles matches and two doubles matches with Alyssa Ley capturing a…
Read MoreCountdown to kickoff: Panthers believe being more physical, disciplined will lead to turnaround
PALMYRA, Mo. — Physical, tough and disciplined. That is Dalton Hill’s mantra. “We don’t have to beat people based upon talent, but what we are going to do is we are going to be a physical team, we’re going to be a tough team, we’re going to be a disciplined team,” the second-year Palmyra football…
Read MorePhoto gallery: Area teams converge at Porter Stadium in Hannibal for football jamboree
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.…
Read MoreSchuckman: While watching MLB Draft, Palmyra’s Kroeger realizes ‘Holy cow, this is going to happen’
QUINCY — Jacob Kroeger’s day began job hunting and ended with flight plans. That’s quite a way to start the week. Monday morning, the former Palmyra multi-sport athlete and recent All-American left-handed pitcher at Maryville University had a meeting about a potential graduate assistant position with a regional college athletic program. Monday night, he signed…
Read MoreKroeger becomes first Palmyra product selected in MLB draft in nearly half-century
PALMYRA, Mo. — The most prolific strikeout pitcher in the history of the Maryville University baseball program is going to get the chance to prove he can bury hitters in the pros. He’s making history for the Palmyra baseball program as well. Jacob Kroeger, a left-handed hurler who recently completed his playing career as a…
Read MoreGo ahead and jump: Palmyra’s Hicks twins relish final opportunity to compete together
PALMYRA, Mo. — The Hicks twins’ track careers may have come to an end on Friday, but their support for each other remains neverending. As Carson Hicks cleared the bar on a 6-foot, 4-inch jump at Friday’s Illinois/Missouri Senior All-Star Track Meet at Palmyra High School, his twin sister Chloe recorded the jump on her…
Read MorePhoto gallery: Scenes from final prep track meet for area seniors
PALMYRA, Mo. — The Illinois/Missouri Senior All-Star Track Meet provided the top track and field athletes from West-Central Illinois and Northeast Missouri one final opportunity to compete head-to-head and in some cases for the first time together. Muddy River Sports Writer Shane Hulsey spent Friday evening at Palmyra High School for the event and put…
Read MoreGiving back to community major focus of Illinois/Missouri Senior All-Star Track Meet
PALMYRA, Mo. — The Illinois/Missouri Senior All-Star Track Meet serves a two-fold purpose. “We want to give local kids one last chance to compete,” organizer Nick Koetters said. “We also do it as a way to raise money for Special Olympics.” The meet, which annually includes some of the top track and field talent from…
Read MorePanthers’ King, Loman finish as state runners-up on second day of track and field championships
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Candra King couldn’t quite make it back-to-back sweeps. The Palmyra track and field standout, who successfully defended her Class 3 state championship in the shot put Friday, went into Saturday’s competition looking to repeat as the discus state champion. King took the top spot on her third attempt with a toss…
Read MoreSharpe, Cougars chase top podium finishes after qualifying for state track and field finals
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…
Read MoreTop-10 finishes from Janes, Kroeger help Palmyra boys finish third at Class 2 state golf tourney
SMITHVILLE, Mo. — Jonas Janes and his Palmyra boys golf teammates brought home a state trophy for the fourth time in program history. It just wasn’t the biggest prize out there. Palmyra led the field at the Class 2 state championships by eight strokes following Monday’s opening round at the Paradise Pointe Golf Complex, but…
Read MorePalmyra golfers finish strong, lead Class 2 state championships heading into second round
SMITHVILLE, Mo. — The Palmyra boys golf team has positioned itself to make history. No one wants to jinx that. So after posting a 333 team score Monday in the opening round of the Class 2 state championships at Paradise Pointe Golf Complex that has them in first place by eight strokes, the Panthers had…
Read MorePalmyra girls track team sets multiple school records, makes hay at Paris Sectional
PARIS, Mo. — Palmyra senior Hailey Kroeger isn’t finished. Finished setting school records in the javelin that is. Kroeger’s new high mark of 38.95 meters at the Class 3 sectional at Paris High School on Saturday helped her win the event and qualify for the state track and field championships, which will be held May…
Read MoreThree Palmyra high jumpers qualify for state after solid performances at Paris Sectional
PARIS, Mo. — A little friendly competition never hurts, especially when a trip to state is on the line. Carson Hicks and Luke Sheppard used their competition to catapult themselves to berths at the Class 3 boys track and field state championships, taking place May 17-18 at Adkins Stadium in Jefferson City. The Palmyra pair…
Read MorePhoto gallery: Area athletes excel in Missouri track and field sectionals at Paris
PARIS, Mo. — The Palmyra boys and girls track and field teams made their presence felt Saturday at the Class 3 sectional at Paris High School with dominant performances in the field events and the relays. It means a strong contingent of Panthers will be heading to Adkins Stadium in Jefferson City for the state…
Read MorePalmyra takes second at district golf tourney, advances to Class 2 state tournament
HANNIBAL, Mo. — The Palmyra boys golf team is headed to the Class 2 state tournament. The Panthers posted a 327 team score to finish second Monday in the Class 2 District 2 tournament at Norwoods Golf Club to qualify for the state tournament as a team, edging Centralia by one stroke. Hermann won the…
Read MoreVibing on Taylor Swift music allows Palmyra’s Janes to find rhythm to shoot career-best round
PALMYRA, Mo. — All was quiet when Jonas Janes arrived at Jackson Park Golf Course about 90 minutes before Wednesday’s Palmyra Invitational was scheduled to start. “I was the only one there,” Janes said. “I put my AirPods in my ears and I was just vibing to Taylor Swift. I was just kind of in…
Read MoreMustangs keep win streak alive by fighting back for nine-inning victory over Panthers
MENDON, Ill. — The manner in which the Palmyra baseball team rallied for two runs in the top of the seventh inning Monday to tie the game could have put Mendon Unity on its heels. Instead, the Mustangs proved they refuse to buckle. Cody Shaffer’s single through the left side of the infield with one…
Read MoreMerry-go-round of hits and walks in second inning propels Panthers to CCC road victory
MACON, Mo. — The turf baseball field Macon High School installed in 2022 continues to show its benefits, like being able to absorb the rain from thunderstorms that knocked out the rest of the games scheduled for Tuesday across Northeast Missouri. The opportunity to play was all Palmyra needed to open Clarence Cannon Conference play…
Read MorePhoto gallery: Hannibal, Palmyra, Bowling Green participate in baseball jamboree
HANNIBAL, Mo. — A week before the high school baseball season officially begins, Hannibal hosted a jamboree at the Veterans Field complex with Palmyra and Bowling Green taking part. Photographer Mathew Kirby spent time at the field Saturday and put together this photo gallery:
Read MorePriory’s fourth-quarter defense locks down Palmyra, ends Panthers’ dynamic season
PALMYRA, Mo. — The St. Louis Priory boys basketball team had not beaten an opponent with a winning record. Until Tuesday night. That’s when Priory stunned heavily favored Palmyra 40-29 in a Class 3 sectional game played before a crowd of about 1,200. Priory, which entered the evening with a rather pedestrian 14-14 record and…
Read MoreTune doesn’t change for Panthers as defense leads to success, this time in district title game
PALMYRA, Mo. — Different day, same approach. And more importantly, the same result. Just ask Jeremiah Edwards. “Defense is always our top priority,” Edwards said. “We know our offense will always pick up.” Edwards, a 6-foot-1 block-of-granite power forward for the Palmyra boys basketball team, was one of several Panthers extolling the virtues of their…
Read MoreLady Birds continue postseason mastery of Panthers by winning another district crown
PALMYRA, Mo. — While the regular season matchups belonged to Palmyra, the South Shelby girls basketball team still owns the postseason. The second-seeded Lady Birds outscored the top-seeded Panthers 21-2 during a 6 1/2-minute stretch beginning late in the third quarter Friday night to erase a six-point deficit and pull away for a 63-50 victory…
Read MorePalmyra’s Pillars battles back to take fifth place at state wrestling tournament
COLUMBIA, Mo. — The loss that sent Palmyra junior wrestler Brayden Pillars to the blood round and jeopardized a spot on the podium wasn’t easy to shake. “It was a little stressful at first,” said Pillars, who suffered a quarterfinal loss to Maysville senior Brendan Barton in the 165-pound weight class in the Class 1…
Read MorePanthers’ Lorenson caps season with victory, fifth-place medal at state wrestling tourney
COLUMBIA, Mo. — Elly Lorenson finished on a high note. Back-to-back losses Thursday in the Class 1 girls state wrestling tournament at Mizzou Arena sent the Palmyra junior into the fifth-place match at 170 pounds, but Lorenson responded by pinning Lexington’s Karalena Steinhauser to punctuate her spot on the podium. Lorenson dominated Steinhauser, building a…
Read MorePanthers, Cardinals set up showdown for Class 3 district championship
PALMYRA, Mo. — The state-ranked Palmyra boys basketball team didn’t waste any time living up to the No. 1 district seed. Hudson Bock buried five 3-pointers in the first quarter Thursday night as the Panthers rolled to a 58-25 victory over Clark County in the Class 3 District 6 semifinals. Palmyra (25-1) will face third-seeded…
Read MorePanthers, Lady Birds to collide in district championship game
PALMYRA, Mo. — Sydney Compton and Clare Williams each scored five first-quarter points as the Palmyra girls basketball team built a 10-point advantage and rolled to a 49-38 victory over Macon in Wednesday night’s Class 3 District 6 semifinals. The Tigerettes scored 15 second-quarter points to trim the deficit to six at halftime, but the…
Read MorePalmyra’s Lorenson wins first two matches, sits two victories from state wrestling championship
COLUMBIA, Mo. — Elly Lorenson is halfway to a state championship. The Palmyra junior won her first two matches at the Missouri Class 1 girls wrestling state tournament at Mizzou Arena on Wednesday to reach the semifinals at 170 pounds. Two victories Thursday will make her the first girls state champion from this area. Lorenson,…
Read MorePanthers’ Pillars rallies in third period to position himself to chase spot on podium
COLUMBIA, Mo. — Palmyra junior Brayden Pillars is one victory away from the podium. Pillars went 2-1 on Wednesday’s opening day of the Missouri Class 1 boys state wrestling tournament at Mizzou Arena and will need to win a blood round match Thursday morning to guarantee himself a top-six finish. Pillars (37-10) will face Tipton’s…
Read MoreShow Me Spotlight: Palmyra’s Lorenson ready to chase state wrestling championship
PALMYRA, Mo. — Elly Lorenson has no quit in her. The field assembled for this week’s Missouri Class 1 girls state wrestling tournament better realize that. The Palmyra junior is making her third consecutive state appearance beginning Wednesday at Mizzou Arena, having won a district championship at 170 pounds. It is her second district title…
Read MorePalmyra boys put cap on CCC championship, turn sights to postseason success
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…
Read MoreHighland’s second-half surge leads to knocking off Palmyra, building postseason momentum
PALMYRA, Mo. — The Highland girls basketball team’s play in the second half Saturday afternoon bordered on the inexplicable. The Cougars, who at one point in the first quarter appeared to be on life support, completely overwhelmed Palmyra over the closing two periods to take a 47-38 Clarence Cannon Conference victory in the regular-season finale.…
Read MorePalmyra’s Pillars, Spicknall wrestle way to Class 1 state tournament
MARCELINE, Mo. — The Palmyra boys wrestling team is sending two grapplers to the Class 1 state tournament. Brayden Pillars, a junior, finished second at 165 pounds Saturday in the Class 1 District 3 tournament, while sophomore Tyler Spicknall finished third at 132 pounds. They will wrestle in the two-day state tournament beginning Wednesday at…
Read MorePhoto gallery: Palmyra sweeps doubleheader from Hannibal at Korf Gym
HANNIBAL, Mo. — The Palmyra boys and girls basketball teams, both ranked in Class 3 in the Missouri Basketball Coaches Association polls, continued to show Tuesday night why they are considered among the state’s elite. The Palmyra girls used a fourth-quarter surge to put away Hannibal 51-36 at Korf Gym. The Panthers, ranked seventh, limited…
Read MoreState-ranked Palmyra girls shake off sluggish start to power past Bowling Green
PALMYRA, Mo. — Enough was enough. About halfway through the first quarter Thursday night, Palmyra girls basketball coach Kelsey Stuart had witnessed her club commit too many turnovers, miss way too many free throws and play a generally ineffective brand of basketball. She called for a timeout. What was actually said during that break in…
Read MoreRight on the money: Bock, state-ranked Panthers make right plays in capturing 16th straight victory
PALMYRA, Mo. — Bear Bock found himself with what looked to be a breakaway layup in the second half, only to eventually run into some Bowling Green defenders blocking his path to the basket. No problem. Bock fired a behind-the-back pass to trailing teammate Luke Sheppard, who secured the toss and cashed in a layup.…
Read MorePalmyra boys vow to keep focus after knocking off arch-rival Monroe City for 15th straight victory
MONROE CITY, Mo. — Palmyra took another huge step toward the Clarence Cannon Conference boys basketball championship Tuesday night. The storyline was a familiar one. “Defense,” Palmyra coach Brian Rea said. “It’s always defense.” There’s absolutely no arguing that point. The 48-25 victory over arch-rival Monroe City — which, like Palmyra, entered the game unbeaten…
Read More‘Unfinished business’: Palmyra girls gain revenge for earlier loss to Monroe City
MONROE CITY, Mo. — Palmyra girls basketball coach Kelsey Stuart referred to the rather one-sided 50-28 victory over rival Monroe City as “unfinished business.” There might have been a wink in her eye when she said that. At the very least, there was the distinct hint of a wry smile. Palmyra made no secret of…
Read MoreC-SE girls race to 17-point halftime lead, force 26 Palmyra turnovers to win 15th consecutive game
QUINCY – About 20 hours after rallying late to beat South Shelby in a Clarence Cannon Conference game at home, the Palmyra girls basketball team discovered Central-Southeastern doesn’t give up leads so easily. Lauren Miller scored 10 of her game-high 20 points in the first quarter and C-SE grabbed a 17-point halftime lead Saturday afternoon…
Read More‘We just do what we do’: Palmyra boys hold 14th opponent below 40 points, improve to 19-1
PALMYRA, Mo. — Brian Rea offered a hint late Friday night as to why the Palmyra boys basketball team enjoys playing defense so much. “It’s a mindset, and it’s a testament to our guys who have totally bought into it,” said Rea, the second-year coach whose club is now 19-1 following a 47-25 Clarence Cannon…
Read MoreFast finish in fourth fuels furious Palmyra girls’ comeback in victory over South Shelby
PALMYRA, Mo. — When asked if she had been worried at any point, Palmyra junior point guard Clare Williams responded matter-of-factly, “I knew we’d eventually have a run.” Palmyra did just that Friday night, rattling off 12 straight points in the fourth quarter on the way to a 50-44 Clarence Cannon Conference girls basketball victory…
Read MorePalmyra boys win Lenzini Tournament championship for first time in quarter century
PALMYRA, Mo. — The wait is over. Finally. “We all knew it had been a long time,” Palmyra senior point guard Bear Bock said. “It’s an awesome feeling.” When the Bock-led Panthers captured the 81st Tony Lenzini Tournament boys basketball championship Saturday night it marked the first time Palmyra had won its own event since…
Read MoreState-ranked Palmyra girls roll in opening round of Tony Lenzini Tournament
PALMYRA, Mo. — The target on their backs isn’t bothering the Palmyra girls basketball players. Ranked fifth in the latest Class 3 state poll and seeded No. 1 for the 81st Tony Lenzini Tournament, the Panthers outscored Van-Far 24-1 in the second quarter Monday night and cruised to a 69-37 victory in the opening round…
Read MoreBock’s 3-point barrage sparks Palmyra’s surge in title game victory over Canton
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…
Read MoreTurnovers, struggles engaging offensively cost Palmyra girls chance to win Highland tourney title
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…
Read MoreYear in Review 2023: Majority of top stories take place off court or field of play
QUINCY — The biggest headlines of 2023 happened off the court or field of play rather than on it. Here is a look at most viewed stories on the Muddy River Sports site throughout the last season. The list is a direct result of the analytics that show which stories have been clicked on or…
Read MoreHome is where victories are: QND girls run win streak at The Pit to 24 straight by beating Palmyra
QUINCY — Above all else, protect The Pit. That’s more or less an unwritten rule when it comes to the Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball team. The Raiders’ home floor — a.k.a. The Pit — is more than a safe haven for the QND team. It has become a full-fledged basketball sanctuary for one of…
Read MoreZero to hero: Genenbacher’s torrid 3-point shooting carries QND boys past Palmyra
QUINCY — As he walked out of the locker room and sat down following Tuesday’s affair with Palmyra, Quincy Notre Dame senior guard Aden Genenbacher couldn’t help but reflect on what transpired last season against the Raiders’ cross-river rival. “I did not score a single point in that (game) and that kind of pissed me…
Read MorePhoto gallery: QND boys and girls sweep cross-river doubleheader from Palmyra
QUINCY — The Pit is a tough place for opposing teams to win. Tuesday night, the Palmyra boys and girls basketball teams saw why. A strong start by the Quincy Notre Dame boys led to a 54-42 victory, while the QND girls pulled away in the fourth quarter for a 45-35 victory — their 24th…
Read MoreNothing but net: Williams’ buzzer-beating 3-pointer lifts Palmyra girls to tourney championship
MONROE CITY, Mo. — By design, Clare Williams’ first option was to pass the ball. Fortunately, that did not work out. Williams wound up unleashing a 22-foot bomb that found nothing but net as time expired Saturday night, sending the Palmyra girls basketball team to a 64-61 victory over South Shelby in the finals of…
Read MorePalmyra boys get engaged offensively to power past Monroe City for tournament championship
MONROE CITY, Mo. — Not bad for a club that took seven minutes to score its first points of the game. The Palmyra boys basketball team remained unbeaten Saturday night, but the way the it went about it may have been a bit awkward. At least in the first quarter. “We were just running rampant…
Read MorePutting away victory over Canton part of evolution for Palmyra girls basketball team
PALMYRA, Mo. — The question is twofold. Just how good is the Palmyra girls basketball team at this point? Conversely, how accomplished can it eventually become? Junior guard Clare Williams said the evolution of this year’s club will be a process. It’s a long season and success will likely be measured by increments, not exclamation…
Read MoreTwo Bocks are better than one: Brothers team up to push Palmyra past Canton in early-season showdown
PALMYRA, Mo. — Admittedly, Bear Bock had waited for years to be on the same varsity basketball floor as his little brother. And the reward for that patience was written all over his face Friday night. “It’s just awesome,” the senior said, trying unsuccessfully to hold back a smile when looking at his freshman brother,…
Read MorePhoto gallery: Palmyra basketball teams sweep doubleheader from Canton
PALMYRA, Mo. — The Palmyra boys and girls basketball teams completed a sweep of Canton on Friday night with the boys winning 57-37 and the girls battling for a 48-39 victory. Photographer Mathew Kirby spent his evening in the Palmyra gym and put together this photo gallery:
Read MorePhoto gallery: Palmyra basketball teams sweep doubleheader from Mark Twain
PALMYRA, Mo. — The Kelsey Stuart coaching era is off and running. The Brian Rea coaching era continues to breed success. The combination should make for an entertaining winter in the Flower City. The Palmyra girls basketball team stormed past Mark Twain 58-24 on Tuesday night in the Panthers’ season opener and Stuart’s first game…
Read MoreShow Me Spotlight: Family support helps Palmyra’s King hit personal marks, goals
PALMYRA, Mo. — Over the past couple of falls, Candra King has hardly missed a University of Central Missouri football game. “There were a couple of weekends this fall where I was on a college visit and that made it tough,” she said. Watching her older brother, Weston, finish his career at the NCAA Division…
Read MoreCrim: Youthful Palmyra squad makes strides to build foundation for future success
PALMRYA, Mo. — Even as his team was closing out the high school football regular season with a loss to undefeated and state-ranked South Shelby, first-year Palmyra coach Dalton Hill saw things that made him hopeful. “I was proud of our guys in the first quarter, the first quarter and a half, when we held…
Read MoreCrist makes Highland history with third-place finish at Class 1 state golf tournament
SEDALIA, Mo. — A stronger start led to a memorable finish for Highland golfer Morgan Crist. Crist parred three holes on the front nine Tuesday, navigating the nine-hole stretch in six fewer strokes than she did Monday and setting the stage for her to finish third individually in the Class 1 state tournament at Sedalia…
Read MorePalmyra doubles team brings home top-eight finish from Class 1 state tournament
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Molly Gottman and Laura Noland made their state tennis tournament stay last until the very end. The Palmyra doubles team qualified for the Class 1 tournament, played at the Cooper Tennis Complex, and finished eighth after winning two of their first three matches. Gottman and Noland opened the state tourney with a…
Read MoreMissouri prep notebook: Cougars extend win streak to 18, three qualify for state tennis tourney, Keller sets Monroe City record
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…
Read MoreFriday Night Lights rewind: First victory shows Palmyra continues to ‘do simple better’
QUINCY — Emotions ran the gamut during Week 4 of the high school football season, from elation over first victories to relief courtesy fourth-quarter survival to grief born of losing a teammate and friend. Add a sense of pride to that list for Palmyra coach Dalton Hill, who is watching the Panthers mature week by…
Read MoreSoftball is in her Youngblood: Monroe City junior shortstop punctuates victory with home run
PALMYRA, Mo. — Audri Youngblood is a multi-sport standout at Monroe City High School. Youngblood plays basketball in the winter and runs track in the spring. In the fall, her focus is on softball. “Softball’s my favorite,” the junior shortstop said. On Thursday night, it was easy to see why. Youngblood strung together an impressive…
Read MorePhoto gallery: Palmyra shows first-half grit in loss to Hallsville in Dalton Hill coaching debut
PALMYRA, Mo. — The Palmyra football team showed some moxie after falling behind 14-0 Friday night. It wasn’t enough to keep Hallsville from rolling to a 46-6 victory, but it was a sign that an inexperienced roster is growing. In Dalton Hill’s debut as the Palmyra head coach, the Panthers pulled within 22-6 at halftime…
Read MoreRitchey ready to help Palmyra move forward and turn 2023 into memorable step in right direction
PALMYRA, Mo. — Palmyra had a football season to forget in 2022. Aaron Ritchey plans to do just that. “The main thing is to forget that last season ever happened,” the Panthers senior quarterback said. “We have new players, new coaches, a whole new offense and a whole new defense. Everything about our team this…
Read MorePalmyra’s King reigns supreme over discus field at Class 3 girls state track and field championships
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Candra King could see the 40-meter marker and knew her second attempt in the discus finals at the Class 3 girls state track and field championships was close to hitting that distance. It turns out she was just a whisper away. “I was hoping it was going to be a 40,”…
Read MoreMuddy River Showcase Spotlight: Palmyra’s Tyler Banta
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. PALMYRA, Mo. — Tyler…
Read MoreMuddy River Showcase Spotlight: Palmyra’s Bronson Juette
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. PALMYRA, Mo. — The…
Read MorePalmyra hires SIU all-time hits leader as new softball coach, adds Hannibal product as assistant football coach
PALMYRA, Mo. — The Palmyra coaching staff is getting an injection of youth across the board. During its May meeting, the Palmyra R-I Board of Education approved the hiring of Jenny Jansen, a 2022 graduate of Southern Illinois University, as the new varsity softball coach and two former Culver-Stockton College football players — Dalton Huffman…
Read MoreMissouri golf roundup: Six area golfers head to state in Class 2, pair of Tigers qualify in Class 1
HANNIBAL, Mo. — Six area golfers qualified for the Class 2 boys state golf tournament by finishing among the top 15 individuals Monday at the Class 2 District 2 tournament at Norwoods Golf Course. South Shelby and Palmyra finished third and fourth, respectively, in the team standings, but only the top two teams advance. Lutheran…
Read MorePalmyra hires former Lafayette County coach to take over girls basketball program
PALMYRA, Mo. — It didn’t take long for Palmyra to find its next girls basketball coach. Two weeks after the Palmyra School Board voted not to renew the teaching and coaching contract of Tim Southers after one season as the Panthers head coach, the board voted unanimously in special session Tuesday to hire Kelsey Stuart…
Read MorePalmyra School Board votes not to renew contract of Southers as teacher, girls basketball coach
PALMYRA, Mo. — The state of flux the Palmyra High School athletic department finds itself in continued Tuesday night when the school board voted unanimously to not renew the contract of Tim Southers as both a teacher and the varsity girls basketball coach. Southers was informed at noon Tuesday both of his positions would be…
Read MoreEmbattled former Palmyra football coach tenders resignation at Salem
SALEM, Mo. — The issues that resulted in former Palmyra football coach Kevin Miles tendering his resignation as a teacher March 30 have forced him to resign from his new job. According to the Salem News, the Salem R-80 Board of Education accepted Miles’ resignation as a teacher, head football coach and assistant athletic director…
Read MoreFormer Palmyra football coach makes first public comments since resigning as teacher
PALMYRA, Mo. — Expressing regret over what has transpired within the Palmyra football program and school district within the last six months, former Panthers coach Kevin Miles made his first public comments following his resignation as a teacher last week. Miles spoke with Dave Roberts of the Salem (Mo.) News and said “All I can…
Read MoreFormer Mark Twain all-state offensive lineman becomes Palmyra’s next football coach
PALMYRA, Mo. — The when, where, why and how things transpired weren’t going to change Dalton Hill’s outlook on what being a head football coach is all about. The focus has to be on the players, first and foremost. “I’m about the kids. It’s what I do this job for,” said Hill, whose appointment as…
Read More‘I knew I had to prove myself’: Kenning owns strike zone, Raiders bounce back with complete effort
QUINCY — Taking the mound one night after four pitchers combined to walk seven batters and uncork five wild pitches in the Quincy Notre Dame baseball team’s first loss of the season, Evan Kenning knew what he was up against. “The pressure was kind of on to throw strikes,” he said. “I knew I had…
Read MorePhoto gallery: QND baseball team bounces back with victory over Palmyra at The Ferd
QUINCY — Humbled by Monday’s loss to Hersey, the Quincy Notre Dame baseball team responded with Evan Kenning striking out 10 batters over five innings and Brady Kindhart and Alex Connoyer each hitting a home run in Tuesday’s 10-2 victory over Palmyra at The Ferd. Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman put together this photo…
Read MoreCardinals clamp down defensively to knock off top-seeded Panthers in district championship
MONROE CITY, Mo. — South Shelby’s Trey Countryman wasn’t giving anyone the game ball. Thirty minutes after the final buzzer, the senior guard was still cradling this piece of history. Countryman and the rest of the Cardinals upset top-seeded Palmyra 39-22 in the Class 3 District 6 championship to capture their first district title in…
Read MoreFour for Four: Palmyra’s Arch finishes historic career with fourth state championship
COLUMBIA, Mo. — Typically stoic with his post-match reactions, Palmyra senior wrestler Collin Arch made a subtle, yet poignant gesture after winning his historic fourth straight state championship Thursday night. As the referee raised his right hand, Arch held his left hand near his waist and flashed four fingers — one for each title. “That…
Read MoreTop-seeded Palmyra ends Monroe City’s district reign, will face South Shelby for title
MONROE CITY, Mo. — The district reign is over, ended by a champion’s biggest rival. The Monroe City boys basketball team’s run of six consecutive Class 3 district championships came to a halt Wednesday night when top-seeded Palmyra eliminated Monroe City 52-30 in the Class 3 District 6 semifinals. Palmyra (21-7) outscored Monroe City 14-4…
Read MorePalmyra’s Arch, Lorenson wrestle way into semifinals at state tournament
COLUMBIA, Mo. — Halfway home. Palmyra senior wrestler Collin Arch took care of his first two matches at the Class 1 state championships at Mizzou Arena on Wednesday, pinning both of his opponents in less than 95 seconds and closing within two victories of a fourth consecutive state title. Wrestling at 150 pounds, Arch opened…
Read MoreJWCC Show-Me Spotlight: Arch’s pursuit of four-peat puts him in rare company
PALMYRA, Mo. — Four for four. That’s Collin Arch’s challenge. Four victories at the Missouri Class 1 state wrestling championships, beginning Wednesday morning at Mizzou Arena on the University of Missouri campus, will win the Palmyra senior grappler his fourth state championship. Arch, with a 48-1 record, is the prohibitive favorite to win the 150-pound…
Read MoreAfter rallying to win, Palmyra boys search for ways to improve first-half effort
PALMYRA, Mo. — Palmyra boys basketball coach Brian Rea is contemplating a change in the Panthers’ late-season practice regimen. Shortly following Palmyra’s 48-42 come-from-behind victory Tuesday night over Clark County in Clarence Cannon Conference play, Rea was looking for a solution to why his club appeared to sleepwalk through much of the first two quarters.…
Read MorePalmyra girls use lopsided CCC victory to focus on continuing to improve
PALMYRA, Mo. — Sydney Compton insisted the game served a purpose, despite such a lopsided final score. “At times, it was more like a practice out there, but we kept concentrating, kept working on specific things,” the Palmyra sophomore said. Why such a determined attitude in a game that was decided by some point early…
Read MoreDon’t call it an upset: Canton defends Lenzini Tournament title, beats top-seeded Palmyra
PALMYRA, Mo. — An upset? “I guess it depends who you talk to,” Canton girls basketball coach Danielle Baker said. Canton successfully defended its Tony Lenzini Tournament championship Saturday night with a surprisingly easy 74-61 victory over top-seeded Palmyra. Canton had been seeded second going into the week-long, eight-school hoopfest. The Tigers (12-6) controlled the…
Read MoreConnaway’s bank shot lifts Van-Far past Palmyra and to Tony Lenzini Tournament title
PALMYRA, Mo. — Someone might just be fibbin’. Nikos Connaway, an explosive guard for the Van-Far boys basketball team, is one of the most exciting players in Northeast Missouri. That, however, doesn’t guarantee the 5-foot-10 junior will always tell the truth. Connaway split Palmyra’s late-game defense to drive the heart of the lane and lofted…
Read MorePalmyra boys in position to chase first Lenzini tourney championship since 1999
PALMYRA, Mo. — Bear Bock pulled no punches. He made it quite clear the Palmyra boys basketball team is on a mission. “It’s been 24 years since Palmyra won this tournament,” the 6-foot-4 junior forward said. “We want to bring the Lenzini championship back home.” Palmyra moved one step closer to that goal Wednesday night…
Read MoreBalance offensively helps carry Palmyra girls into Tony Lenzini Tournament title game
PALMYRA, Mo. — Tim Southers demonstrated he knows how — and more importantly, when — to delegate authority. The Palmyra girls basketball coach opted to let his players on the floor run the early part of the fourth quarter. They called the plays on offense and the adjustments on defense. “I just sat back and…
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