Warrenton boys finish third in host tournament

By John Brasier, Record Staff Writer
Posted 11/7/19

Alec Tonioli gave his Warrenton classmates something to talk about with his highlight-worthy basket at the end of the first half of a loss to Fort Zumwalt West in last Thursday’s second round of …

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Warrenton boys finish third in host tournament

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Alec Tonioli gave his Warrenton classmates something to talk about with his highlight-worthy basket at the end of the first half of a loss to Fort Zumwalt West in last Thursday’s second round of the Warrenton Winter Classic.“Everybody was talking about it all day at school the next day,” said the senior guard of the successful heave he launched from near the foul line on the opposite end of the court.But when Tonioli struck Saturday night with another long 3-point buzzer-beater — albeit one significantly shorter — at the end of the third quarter, it meant a lot more.Sparked by Tonioli’s 30-foot shot released with less than one second showing on the clock, the Warriors rallied for a 58-44 victory over O’Fallon Christian to capture third place in the inaugural tournament.Racing upcourt with the ball after an Eagle foul shot with 4.6 seconds on the clock, Tonioli fired his shot over a defender along the right sideline.“Maybe they’ll talk about this one, too,” Tonioli said. “It got us going. Winning two of three games in the tournament was pretty big for us.”Tonioli scored a game-high 25 points — 11 in the fourth quarter — including five 3-point shots. Point guard Ryan Bradshaw added 12 and center Craig Vardiman had nine points in a strong inside performance.Trailing most of the game, the Warriors (8-4) outscored the Eagles 25-5 in the final quarter.“It really started when Alec hit that long shot,” said Warrenton Coach Mike Uffmann. “The whole gym got excited and it gave us a lift.” Trailing 39-33, the Warriors inbounded the ball for the final quarter and quickly worked the ball back to the right side for Tonioli, who drilled a 23-footer from the wing.“It was a huge momentum swing,” said O’Fallon Christian Coach Dave Meers, whose team fell to 2-7. “(Tonoili) hits the first one and starts feeling it and makes another. That 6-0 swing was brutal.”After each team failed on three possessions, Tonioli knocked in a 15-footer from the baseline to cut the Eagles’ lead to one.“I had a lot of confidence after making the long shot,” said Tonioli. Bradshaw’s driving basket in the lane gave the Warriors a 40-39 lead — their first since the opening minutes of the game — with 4:18 remaining.O’Fallon Christian’s Luke Rodgers tied the game with a free throw seconds later. But Warrenton freshman Randy McRoberts answered with a 3-pointer that put the Warriors ahead to stay and Tonioli tacked on his final 3-pointer and a free throw.The Warriors clinched the game by sinking seven straight foul shots down the stretch.“We got on a run and we kept doing things to feed it,” said Uffmann. “Our defense just got locked in.”Fueled early by hot outside shooting and menacing backcourt defense, the Eagles, who made six of their seven 3-pointers in the first two quarters, led by as many as 11 points before settling for a 28-21 halftime advantage.“I was a little worried,” admitted Vardiman, who joined Tonioli on the all-tournament team. “I think we played better together in the second half.”Rodgers and Andrew Stone led the Eagles with nine points.Uffmann said he hopes the tournament will boost interest in the Warrenton boys and girls programs.“The atmosphere was great,” he said. “I hope it helps get people excited about basketball and they come out and fill up the gym.”TONIOLI NAILS BUZZER BEATERDerrick Forsythe photo.


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