Mayfield’s rhythm shooting from the perimeter enables Monroe City to waltz into break riding high

Monroe City guard Cole Hays, right, attempts to stop Payson Seymour's Lane Barker from getting to the basket during Friday night's game in the Rumble on the River at John Wood Community College's Student Activity Center. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Quincy Mayfield has been searching for his shooting touch. He may have found it Friday night. The junior point guard sank five 3-pointers and finished with a game-high 23 points to help carry the Monroe City boys basketball team to a 66-50 victory over Payson Seymour in the 17th Rumble on the River…

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Defensive dominance earns Panthers right to play for title in centennial celebration of own tourney

Monroe City's Toby Sapp, left, and Trey Smyser apply pressure to Marion County's Joey Lagemann during Wednesday night's Monroe City Tournament semifinal game in Monroe City, Mo. | Shane Hulsey photo

MONROE CITY Mo. — Two down, one to go. The Monroe City boys basketball team’s quest is not yet complete, but the second-seeded Panthers earned the right to play for the championship in the 100th Monroe City Basketball Tournament by dispatching Marion County 77-25 in Wednesday’s semifinal. The significance of the Panthers playing for the…

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Mayfield, Panthers prime themselves for district title showdown by walloping Indians

Monroe City's Dylan Ross, right, eludes a Clark County defender and finds running room during Friday night's Class 2 District 7 semifinal at Lankford Field in Monroe City, Mo. | Shane Hulsey photo

MONROE CITY, Mo. — Quincy Mayfield chose his words carefully. When asked how badly he wanted to avenge the Monroe City football team’s 44-22 loss to South Shelby in Week 3, the Panthers junior running back and linebacker paused for about five seconds to gather his thoughts. What he said — or did not say…

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Improvements along offensive, defensive lines continue giving Monroe City its edge

Monroe City lineman Lane Willard (70) and the rest of the Panthers' offensive front five continue opening holes for Quincy Mayfield (22), Dylan Ross (11) and Trey Smyser (1). | Shane Hulsey photo

MONROE CITY, Mo. — The Monroe City football team’s 39-20 loss to Lawson in Week Seven goes in the books as just that — a loss. But looking below the surface, Monroe City coach David Kirby saw a glimpse of the level to which his team is capable of playing. “That was a big eye-opener,”…

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‘We’re not soft like that’: Monroe City expects to improve after facing vaunted Valle Catholic in season opener

The Monroe City defense did its best to bottle up Valle Catholic during Friday night's game at Lankford Field in Monroe CIty, Mo. | Shane Hulsey photo

MONROE CITY, Mo. — Except for the final score, Dylan Ross wouldn’t have wanted it any other way. Ross, a senior running back and linebacker for Monroe City, welcomed the challenge of facing 15-time state champion Valle Catholic in Week One. “If we play a cupcake Week One, we’re just going to be known as…

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Countdown to kickoff: Going on deep playoff run is major part of Monroe City’s motivation

The Monroe City football team finished 8-3 last season, but the Panthers want to return to being a program with its sights set on chasing a state championship. | Shane Hulsey photo

MONROE CITY, Mo. — Being involved in lopsided playoff football games was nothing new for Monroe City. Being on the losing end was. Bowling Green scored four touchdowns on eight offensive plays in the first quarter of last season’s Class 2 District 7 semifinal game, led 44-0 at halftime to prompt a running clock for…

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