By Kory Carpenter

Record Sports Editor

Warrenton Head Coach Mike Uffmann was worried about the size of Eureka’s frontline heading into Friday’s matchup in the GAC/Suburban Shootout at Missouri Baptist University.

It was guard-play, however, that decided the game.

“They dictated what we did offensively and they made it tough,” Uffmann said after his team’s 66-52 loss. “The team that can dictate what will happen with the other team will usually come out ahead.”

The Warriors missed five straight shots to start the game, and both teams limped to a 12-12 tie in the first quarter.

After watching Eureka earlier in the season, Uffmann believed his team could pressure the Wildcats and turn up the tempo, negating some of Eureka’s size advantage inside.

But after watching Warrenton (3-4) struggle to create turnovers with its press three nights earlier in a loss against Francis Howell Central, Eureka was prepared.

The Wildcats broke out of the full-court press with ease, turning up court and creating fast breaks on a regular basis.

“When I looked at them before, they weren’t getting the ball out so quickly,” Uffmann said. “But they definitely got out and ran and made it tough for us to press.”

With the perimeter advantage all but nullified, the Warriors looked to forwards Caleb Strauss and Trevor Alberternst.

The duo combined for 27 points and 27 rebounds, outplaying Eureka’s Tanner Sobotka and Matt Plohr most of the night.

“I thought our guards would control the game,” Uffmann said. “But our bigs really stepped up and did a great job.”

It wasn’t enough to overcome a tough night from the Warrenton guards, who were swarmed by Eureka guards as soon as they touched the ball.

The Warriors were able to take advantage of the pressure at times, cutting to the rim and finding teammates for layup opportunities.

But that often meant a showdown with a Eureka frontline that averaged nearly 6-foot-5.

Warrenton guard Braydan Chmiel had some success, finishing with 10 points.

Randy McRoberts finished with seven, but the rest of the offense was stymied.

“They had so much ball pressure on us, and it was a physical game,” Uffmann said. “We had great scoring opportunities inside because they were pressuring so much on the perimeter, we just couldn’t score.”

Uffmann believes his younger players will adjust to a faster, stronger game before the postseason.

“The teams we’ve lost to the last few days are big, (Class) 5A schools,” he said. “They are experienced schools with experienced players, and we’re not right now.”

Warrenton will practice over the break before hosting the Warrior Winter Classic Jan. 5-9. The Warriors return to conference play Jan. 12 against Orchard Farm.

“Our end goal hasn’t changed at all,” Uffmann said. “We want to get better every day and be playing our best basketball in March.”

OFF GLASS — Trevor Alberternst lays it in off the glass Friday night against Eureka in the GAC/Suburban Shootout. Alberternst finished with 14 points in the Warrenton loss.                         Kory Carpenter photo.