The Warrenton boys basketball team has had an up and down season to say the least. After starting the season 6-3, they have lost 12 of their previous 16 games to close out the season. 

Their most recent loss came from the hands of Hannibal in the Class 4, District 8 Tournament Monday night at Mexico High School. It was a back-and-forth battle throughout the whole game, but the fourth-seeded Warriors couldn’t make the necessary plays down the stretch, falling 62-58 to fifth seed Hannibal.

Warrenton was led by Brett Smith, who poured in 17 points. Senior Travis Toebben added 12 and other senior running mates Sam Toenges and Brenden Day each added 10.

The Warriors were able to grab an early lead, winning the first quarter by three but went to the locker room down five.

"It was a really close game. I just told the boys that you're in for a nail biter,” Hannibal Head Coach Marty Hull told the Quincy Herald-Whig. “It's probably going to come down to who shoots the most free throws down the stretch, and I thought we did a pretty good job of shooting free throws down the stretch."

Free throws did play a large part of this ball game. Thirteen of Hannibal’s 23 fourth-quarter points came from the charity stripe. Hannibal went 16 for 22 from the free-throw line for the game while Warrenton was 13 for 21. 

Warrenton cut the lead to one heading into the final period, but Hannibal started the final quarter on a quick 6-0 run. The Warriors were able to cut the deficit back to one a couple of times, but never were able to get over the hump.

Warrenton ends their season with a record of 10-15. The Warriors will look to find some scoring next season as their top three scorers are graduating. 

Smith, Toebben and Toenges accounted for 82 percent of the team’s scoring.

Hannibal advanced to face top seed Kirksville on Tuesday. No. 2 Fulton and No. 3 Mexico were squaring off in the other semifinal game. The championship will be decided on Thursday at 7:30 p.m.