One was in for the duration and the other got a late start, but when the journey was complete, a pair of Warrenton seniors found themselves landing a spot on the same Gateway Athletic All-Conference team.Following an improved 13-13 season and fourth-place finish in the league, the Warriors placed two on the first team among a group of very talented competitors.Alec Tonioli — Four-year starter garnered a spot on the first time after averaging a career-high 15.3 points per game, along with 5.7 rebounds.He scored 397 points, knocking down 34 percent of his three-point attempts and hitting a team-best 77 percent from the free-throw line.“This was the first year Alec truly bought into being more than a one-dimensional player,” said Coach Mike Uffmann. “He learned that after he missed a couple of threes, he should look for something different that would start taking it inside. He scored several times a game off post moves.”Tonioli was second on the team with 114 defensive boards, while leading the way with 2.2 steals.“Defensively, by the end of the year he was playing great, even in practice every day,” said Uffmann.Craig Vardiman — Senior joined the team his junior year and quickly became a factor on the varsity level, particularly this season. Vardiman averaged a league-best 16 rebounds per game, earning him first-team honors.“That’s something we could consistently rely on every night, is him giving us an inside threat,” said Uffmann. “When we couldn’t get anything going, sometimes our best offense was when somebody missed and Craig went up and got it for the putback.”Vardiman was second on the team in scoring, netting 13 points per game and hitting a team-best 50 percent of his field goal attempts.“He does have the size, but he’s also quick,” said Uffmann. “He can get to the rim in one dribble, which makes him tough. He creates a lot of contact, because he’s a big physical guy. He’s got that motor where he goes 100-percent the entire time.”Other All-GAC selection included, first team — Logan Gonce, St. Charles West; Casey Teson, St. Charles and Chase Morfeld, St. Charles. Second team — Bryce Wiggs, St. Charles; Raheem Alexander, St. Charles; Josh Roglon, St. Charles; Hasaan Decarolis, St. Charles West; Davis Soderberg, St. Charles West; and Damian Cagle, Winfield.WARRIORS EARN ALL-GAC HONORSDerrick Forsythe photo.