Countdown to tipoff: Focus switches to hoops at Central with young roster needing to mature

Camp Point Central boys basketball coach James Barnett is used to his team needing most of December to find its rhythm following a successful football season for the Panthers. | Matt Schuckman photo

Coverage of the Camp Point Central boys basketball team is brought to you by: CAMP POINT, Ill. — Camp Point Central boys basketball coach James Barnett has been through this before. Fourteen of the 15 players on the Central basketball roster are football players, which means the Central football team’s trip to the Class 1A…

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Countdown to tipoff: Coaching staff links Hannibal’s past to its present to rebuild success

First-year Hannibal coach Josh Pickett will look to rebuild a program that hasn't had a winning season in five years and graduated eight seniors from last year's squad. | Shane Hulsey photo

Coverage of the Hannibal boys basketball team is brought to you by: HANNIBAL, Mo. — In Dezi Jones’ mind, the only thing better than coaching with Josh Pickett would have been the chance to play with him. “Imagine if we played together,” Jones said. Pickett liked the thought of that, too. “I wouldn’t mind passing…

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Countdown to tipoff: Reese returns to provide interior presence for short, scrappy Pirates

Hannibal senior forward Zaria Reese has worked her way back from a partially torn ACL to be a significant factor in the Pirates' frontcourt heading into this season. | Shane Hulsey photo

Coverage of the Hannibal girls basketball program brought to you by: HANNIBAL, Mo. — Zaria Reese tried to play through the pain. Now she doesn’t have to, and that is a welcomed feeling for the members of the Hannibal girls basketball team. Reese, now a senior forward for the Pirates, battled pain in her left…

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‘They just kept working away’: Success of Fohey-led Palmyra girls basketball teams leads to induction into Missouri Sports Hall of Fame

The Palmyra girls basketball team played in five state championship games from 1981-86, winning three titles and earning induction into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame. | Submitted photo

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…

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‘The closing chapter’: Three Blue Devils reunite at Muddy River Showcase for final game together

From left, Leila Dade, Leah Chevalier and Taylor Fohey | Shane Hulsey photos

QUINCY — Eight years of playing basketball together will come to an end for Leah Chevalier, Leila Dade and Taylor Fohey on Saturday. Their friendship will last far beyond that. The three Quincy High School graduates will play together for the final time Saturday in the Muddy River Showcase at John Wood Community College’s Student…

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‘I can’t think of a better place to end my career’: Altmix returns to Quincy Notre Dame for one last ride

Greg Altmix speaks at a press conference Tuesday during which he was named the Quincy Notre Dame boys basketball coach. | Shane Hulsey photo

QUINCY — Greg Altmix plans on finishing his coaching career at Quincy Notre Dame. “I plan on being here until I can’t do it anymore,” Altmix said. At 57 years old, the newest QND boys basketball coach has been roaming the sidelines for more than half his life. Even though he has embraced the salt-and-pepper…

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Crim: Baucom’s demeanor, dedication stick with him into 50th season as basketball official

Bob Baucom, a Camp Point, Ill., native, is in his 50th season officiating high school basketball in West Central Illinois and Northeast Missouri. | Matt Schuckman photo

CAMP POINT, Ill. — Bob Baucom and his officiating crew were preparing to work a game in the Central girls basketball tournament a few years ago when they received a warning from the referees who had worked the previous game as they came off the floor. Keep an eye on the three ladies sitting at…

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Crim: Hornets’ season to remember caps school year filled with success from start to finish

The Brown County baseball team became the sixth program in the Muddy River Sports coverage area to win a state trophy during the 2021-22 school year. Matt Schuckman photo

It was nearly the perfect ending to a magical high school sports season. Brown County was the sixth team in the Muddy River Sports area to play for a state championship during the 2021-22 school year when it took the field Saturday against Louisville North Clay in the Illinois Class 1A baseball state finals in…

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