Smyser’s trey gives Monroe City boost in finishing off Liberty in final minutes of regulation

By Matt Schuckman, Sports Editor | February 9, 2025
Monroe City's Trey Smyser, left, pressures Liberty's Reed Sparrow during Saturday's game in the KHQA/American Family Insurance Superfan Shootout at The Pit. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — As his teammates moved the ball up the floor, Trey Smyser gravitated to one of his favorite spots on the floor. “I like shooting on the wing,” he said. Apparently so. The Monroe City senior guard buried a 3-pointer from the right wing in front of the Panthers’ bench with 49.1 seconds remaining…

Read More

‘That hoop looks like an ocean to him’: Liberty’s Sparrow drains seven treys in victory over Payson

By Shane Hulsey, Sports Writer | November 26, 2024
Liberty sophomore forward Reed Sparrow, left, gets a 3-point attempt up while being guarded by Payson Seymour senior guard Blake Schwartz during Monday night's opening game of the Pittsfield Thanksgiving Tournament at Voshall Gym in Pittsfield, Ill. | Shane Hulsey photo

PITTSFIELD, Ill. — When Reed Sparrow finds his groove, there is no telling where he will shoot from next. “You kind of question it a little bit with him being so far away, but you also have to give him the green light because sometimes that hoop looks like an ocean to him,” Liberty boys…

Read More

Countdown to tipoff: Captain Jack ready to lead Liberty boys basketball team to more success

By Shane Hulsey, Sports Writer | November 21, 2024
Liberty senior forward Jack Sparrow will be asked to be a sizable presence both in the front court and as a leader for the Eagles. | Shane Hulsey photo

Coverage of the Liberty boys basketball team brought to you by: LIBERTY, Ill. — Even though the first film in the series had already been out for three years and the second was released the year before, Dan Sparrow had not seen any of the “Pirates of the Caribbean” movies before choosing a name for…

Read More