Power in paint enables Keokuk to outlast Palmyra for girls title at Highland Tournament

By Steve Eighinger | January 12, 2025
Palmyra's Sydney Compton drives to the basket during Saturday's Highland Tournament championship game against Keokuk in Lewistown, Mo. | Shane Hulsey photo

LEWISTOWN, Mo. — As the second half played out, the ending seemed inevitable. Minute by minute, possession by possession, the Keokuk girls basketball team’s commanding inside presence methodically wore down Palmyra until eventually collecting a 65-62 victory in the championship game of the 53rd Highland Tournament. Keokuk’s title was its second straight and came largely…

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Panthers survive Cougars’ fourth-quarter rally, will play for Monroe City Tournament championship

By Shane Hulsey, Sports Writer | December 12, 2024
Palmyra senior point guard Clare Williams celebrates with her team after the Panthers' 48-43 victory over Highland in the 100th Monroe City Tournament semifinals on Wednesday night in Monroe City, Mo. | Shane Hulsey photo

MONROE CITY, Mo. — Why? That is all Palmyra girls basketball coach Kelsey Stuart could think as she watched Highland eat away at the Panthers’ 19-point lead over the final 4 minutes, 45 seconds of Wednesday night’s semifinal in the 100th Monroe City Tournament. “Why did we decide to feel comfortable even though I warned…

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Palmyra’s dynamic duo is too much for Canton to overcome

By Shane Hulsey, Sports Writer | December 7, 2024
Palmyra senior Sydney Compton shoots a jumper over Canton's Brenna Brewer during the second half of the Panthers' 54-49 victory over the Tigers on Friday in Canton, Mo. | Shane Hulsey photo

CANTON, Mo. — The Palmyra girls basketball team’s dynamic duo was extra dynamic on Friday. Seniors Clare Williams and Sydney Compton combined for all but three of Palmyra’s points as the Panthers outlasted Canton 54-49. Williams poured in 15 points in the first half and finished with 22 total. Compton caught fire in the second…

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Countdown to tipoff: Compton, Williams ready to lead Palmyra in final go-around together

By Shane Hulsey, Sports Writer | November 18, 2024
Palmyra senior Sydney Compton, who has signed with Quincy University, is one of two seniors on the Panthers' roster ready to lead them in pursuit of a district championship. | Mathew Kirby photo

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…

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State-ranked Palmyra girls shake off sluggish start to power past Bowling Green

By Steve Eighinger | February 9, 2024
Palmyra's Ashley Bode, left, looks to score during Thursday's game against Bowling Green in Palmyra, Mo. | Photo courtesy Alicia Deming

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…

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