Sports Standouts: Lamar Tigers

By Don Lowe  

Featuring MVP Sport Standouts from Lamar, Missouri

Lamar Hoops Star Talon Timmons a ‘Student of the Game’

Photo taken by Terry Redman

Being calm under pressure has allowed Lamar Tigers senior-to-be basketball star Talon Timmons to make steady improvement throughout his career, and he says, “Staying level-headed is important. Staying calm and not forcing things with my teammates is a big focus and leads to success.”  

Tigers Basketball Head Coach Heath Heckadon, who has coached Talon for three years, says, “He’s a student of the game. He is constantly trying to improve all levels of his game. Talon’s coachable and his work stand above the rest.”  

Talon’s versatility has been a plus for Lamar, and Coach Heckadon says, “This past year, he mostly played the ‘four’ (power forward) but next year he will primarily play the ‘two’ (shooting guard) or ‘three’ (small forward).    

“He just wants to win, so he’ll play whatever position I need him at and be successful for us there. Talon rebounds well, handles the ball and can score from any level. He just has such a solid understanding of the game and makes players around him better, just as a leader should do.”  

“I think the best part of my game is scoring,” Talon says. “I can score at all three levels. My scoring ability took a big leap during COVID. I would shoot every day outside with my brother. I think that helped turn me into a more confident scorer and I’ve tried to keep improving every day since then.”  

While Talon seems to always maintain his composure, he says, “I believe the main challenge is the pressure. I feel like I need to play my best every game or it’s a disappointment.    

“There’s also difficulty playing forward. I tend to drive a lot. I also tend to draw double or triple teams when I drive to the basket and then there’s lots of hands slapping at the ball, which is a big challenge.  

“I feel like my ability to pass is what helps make me successful,” he continues. “If I couldn’t find the open man, it would make getting my own shot harder. So, when opponents bring the double team against me, I find an open teammate and that helps stop the doubling on me in the paint.”      

Coach Heckadon says, “Talon’s strength and power has improved since his freshman year. This has helped him in the post with rebounding and defending bigger players. Talon’s always had great offensive moves in the post but he also likes to face up and play off the dribble.”  

No matter what happens on the court, Talon is happy to always have his loved ones right there cheering him on and says, “What makes basketball so rewarding is seeing all my family in the stands during games.  

“My parents come to every single game, home and away. I always have an entire section of my family at home games. No matter what’s going on in their lives, they still make it to my games. Playing well in front of my family is just so rewarding.”  

Coach Heckadon says, “I just appreciate Talon’s passion and absolute love for the game of basketball. He has such a big heart for playing basketball.”  

Lamar Sports Star Talon Timmons Fast Facts

Age: 17

Height: 6’2”  

Weight: 180 lbs.  

Year in School: 12th grade in 2025-26  

Parents: Terin and Autumn Timmons

Sibling: Samuel Timmons  

Hometown: Lamar, Missouri        

Favorite Subject in School: Math        

Favorite Food: Tacos                  

Favorite Professional Basketball Player: Current Phoenix Suns Power Forward, Two-Time NBA Champion and Olympic Gold Medalist Kevin Durant    

Favorite Basketball Movie: “Semi-Pro”  

Lamar Football Star Karson Parker Believes Heart, Dedication Keys to Success

Lamar Tigers senior-to-be running back/middle linebacker Karson Parker doesn’t have a problem when something isn’t too easy, and he says, “My favorite thing about football is how hard it is to play.  

“I’ve played several sports, and nothing compares to football when it comes to the difficulty it takes to be a good player and a good teammate. I love the challenge.”    

When it comes to the most difficult aspects, Karson says, “The main challenges are learning the schemes every week against a different team, then studying it and getting it down in your brain by Friday nights.  

“It also goes without saying that the physical part of football is not easy with the amount of practice and work it takes to make yourself a good player.”  

Lamar Football Head Coach Jared Beshore has been impressed with Karson’s renewed commitment and says, “His work ethic and attention to detail has helped him make huge improvements over the past couple of years.  

“These were not strengths initially for Karson when he first joined our football program. But now they are strong points in his overall game.”  

Coach Beshore has been particularly pleased with Karson’s terrific play at middle linebacker, and he says, “Karson got a lot better at reading his keys in the second half of last season.  

“His natural athletic ability allowed him to make a lot of plays in between the tackles and running sideline to sideline. His communication skills have also helped our defense with everyone being on the same page.”  

Karson says, “A lot of my ability is from building myself physically by spending time in the weight room. But one of the biggest strengths any football player can have is heart and dedication, and that comes before the physical attributes.”    

“Karson’s explosive,” Coach Beshore says. “He has great hips, and an initial burst of speed that’s hard to develop in high school linebackers. Those things are hard to teach/coach. When a player has them naturally, it allows coaches to teach more fundamentals and eye discipline. The result is typically a high-quality football player with potential to be exceptional.”    

Karson knows it’s not about himself, and he says, “It’s a team sport, so it takes everyone, with your teammates having your back and you having their backs. That’s the biggest key to success.”  

He has done his part to be successful, and Coach Beshore says, “Last season, Karson won the competition at middle linebacker and never let go of it. He had growing pains but by the playoffs he was one of our premier defenders. He had a great off-season. I look forward to seeing what he does this fall.”      

Regardless of what happens in the fall, Karson is thrilled to be part of it all, and he says, “The relationships you build with your coaches and teammates is by far the most rewarding aspect of playing football.”      

“I appreciate Karson for taking accountability for any mistakes, making changes to his habits and growing into such a great young man,” Coach Beshore says. “I’m excited to see all his hard work pay off this fall.”  

Lamar Sports Karson Parker Fast Facts

Age: 18

Height: 5’11”  

Weight: 195 lbs.  

Year in School: 12th grade in 2025-26  

Parents: Brandon and Kelsey Parker

Sibling: Sophia Parker  

Hometown: Lamar, Missouri        

Favorite Subject in School: Sciences        

Favorite Food: Sushi                  

Favorite Professional Football Player: Current Kansas City Chiefs two-time NFL MVP and three-time Super Bowl MVP/Super Bowl Winning Quarterback Patrick Mahomes    

Favorite Football Movie: “Water Boy”  

Lamar Star Sprinter Brenna Morey Races into the Record Books   

Lamar Lady Tigers senior-to-be sprinter Brenna Morey was destined to follow in her siblings’ footsteps, and she says, “My brother and his team were two-time state champions in cross country (2016-17), so running has always been part of who I am. My brother and sister were both cross country runners in high school.  

“My sister did track throughout high school. My brother ran track and cross country at Southwest Baptist University. Distance running wasn’t my thing, but I found a passion for sprinting. My family told me I could do anything I set my mind to. They’re the reason I’ve continued running and working hard to get better.  

“The 400-meter dash has been my best event. I broke my high school’s record (1:00.31) May 1. That’s a goal I’ve been striving to achieve for three years, and it finally became a reality.      

“The past two seasons I was also a member of several relay teams. My sophomore year, I was on the 4×100, 4×200, 4×400 and 4×800 teams. And I was part of the 4×800 team that broke our school record. This allowed us to qualify for the 2024 Class 3 Missouri State Championship Meet.”    

Lamar Track Head Coach Rodney Baldridge says Brenna has developed into a championship-caliber sprinter thanks to “her work ethic and competitiveness. She has the drive to get better and tremendous determination. She’s a hard worker and willing to do whatever our team needs.”      

There’s a lot that goes into training, and Brenna says, “As a weightlifter, I’ve worked hard to strengthen my muscles. As a competitor in pageants (2022 Princess of America Ambassador National Queen and modeled in New York Fashion Week, and recently competed for title of Miss Missouri Teen USA, while finishing first runner’s-up), I also use a personal fitness trainer.     

“This all helps with my speed, endurance and cardiovascular health. Preparation is the most important part of being successful. My diet, hydration, sleep, mental preparation, strength and speed training, and overall time I’ve invested is what makes me the athlete I am today.    

“God has blessed me with the talent, but I wouldn’t be at the level I am today without taking care of myself and training. It’s also important to have mentors and coaches who support, encourage and instruct me on the best ways to train. Coach Baldridge has been a big help to me.”  

“Every year she has gotten better,” Coach Baldridge says. “Brenna’s work in the weight room has helped a lot. She consistently works hard and takes great care of her body and mind.”  

It’s not always easy, and Brenna says, “My main challenge is nerves. I get nervous before running because I want to make my coaches, family and myself proud. Taking care of my body is also a challenge. It’s hard to fuel my body with the right things, get plenty of sleep and train correctly.”      

Brenna’s faith guides her, and she says, “My life’s Bible verse is Psalms 46:5 (God is within her, she will not fail.). This shows me no matter what I do on and off the track, God is right beside me guiding my steps.”      

Coach Baldridge says, “Brenna’s the complete package. She’s a great student and a great athlete. She’s all about doing things the right way.”  

Lamar Sports Star Brenna Morey Fast Facts

Age: 17

Height: 5’3”  

Year in School: 12th grade in 2025-26  

Parents: Kent and Melissa Morey  

Siblings: Garrett Morey and Kara Morey  

Hometown: Lamar, Missouri        

Favorite Subject in School: English        

Favorite Food: Grilled Chicken                  

Favorite Track Athlete: Retired U.S. Olympics 200-Meter Gold Medalist Sprinter (2012) Allyson Felix    

Favorite Track Movie: “McFarland, USA”  

Lamar Softball Star Peyton Eddie Loves the Game, Loves the Work

Photo taken by Amzel Ball

As a youngster, Lamar Lady Tigers junior-to-be softball star Peyton Eddie figured out quickly how fun it is to have a glove and bat in her hands. She says, “Growing up, I’ve always enjoyed watching sports, especially with my dad.

“I remember watching softball at a young age and realizing I wanted to be like those players. I knew I loved the game after going to watch my favorite team (Nebraska) play Arkansas at Bogle Park (Fayetteville, Arkansas). A few months later, I went to a softball camp at the University of Nebraska.”      

Peyton, who sparkles in center field, says, “I believe to fall in love with the game, you need to love the work you put it into even more.  

“I’m competitive and don’t like to be outworked by anyone, even if it requires staying after practice to correct the tiniest flaw. I also love getting to spend time with great teammates and learning from great coaches.”      

Lamar Softball Head Coach Brandon Castle says, “Peyton never takes a play off. She’s intense and locked in. She’s not only a vocal leader but leads by example. She led our team in batting average (.500), on base percentage (.571), hits (39), triples (five) and stolen bases (23).    

“Peyton’s ability to track a ball in the outfield is incredible. Her speed allows her to cover not only center field but well into the gaps. She has great understanding on how to get behind a fly ball and use her momentum coming toward the play and then make a great throw to help keep the runner from advancing.”      

“As a centerfielder, you need to be in great shape (physically) because you’re running every play,” says Peyton. “You’re running down fly balls and backing up your infielders or backing up the right and left fielders.      

“The mental side is also challenging. You need to know what pitch is being thrown. And when the ball is pitched, you want to be in the best position defensively for what the hitter will do with it.      

“I believe my communication and work ethic, and having a good attitude, are all things that help myself and my team be successful.      

“I communicate well with my fellow outfielders, whether it’s pre-pitch positioning, talking over what we’re going to do with the ball when it is hit to us or just staying locked in and having fun.”    

Coach Castle enjoys watching Peyton showcase her skills, and he says, “She has great speed and quick hands. Her speed allows her to beat out plays on the infield and turn singles into extra base hits. She’s a terror on the basepaths. Her quick hands get her through the pitch no matter how fast or slow the pitcher throws it.”  

Peyton plays with dogged determination, and Coach Castle continues, “She doesn’t fold under pressure. Her ability to stay positive and not get down is an incredible attribute for a student-athlete in high school sports.”  

Lamar Sports Star Peyton Eddie Fast Facts

Age: 16

Height: 5’3”  

Year in School: 11th grade in 2025-26  

Parents: Nate and Ellen Eddie  

Siblings: Avery Eddie and Wacey Eddie          

Hometown: Lamar, Missouri        

Favorite Subject in School: History        

Favorite Food: Steak                  

Favorite Softball Players: Former Oklahoma Lady Sooners four-time World Series Champion Jayda Coleman and current Boston Red Sox star outfielder Jarren Duran.  

Favorite Baseball Movie: “The Sandlot”  

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