The Warrenton boys basketball team earned the No. 2 seed in next week’s Hermann Invitational, and will look to make it back to the championship game for the second year in a row. To do that, the …
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The Warrenton boys basketball team earned the No. 2 seed in next week’s Hermann Invitational, and will look to make it back to the championship game for the second year in a row.
To do that, the Warriors will have to beat a familiar foe in Wright City in the opening round, Tuesday at 6 p.m.
Warrenton won the first meeting Nov. 18, 60-27.
“Our defense was really great in that first game,” Warrenton Head Coach Mike Uffmann said. “We had great ball pressure, which gave them trouble, and we contested every shot. We also rebounded well and didn’t give them many extra looks. A lot of our offense came from our transition game.”
Trevor Alberternst led all scorers with 18 points, while Caleb Strauss added 11 points and 10 rebounds.
Jake Tonioli chipped in 14 points, and Uffmann is confident heading into the rematch.
“We are confident going into every game,” he said. “If we stick to our game plan and execute, then we feel we have a chance to win every night.”
Last season the Warriors needed a 26-point second-half comeback to beat St. James and advance to the winner’s bracket.
They defeated Montgomery County in the semifinals, 71-59, and could potentially play the Wildcats (8-1) again this year in the same spot.
No. 3 Montgomery County faces No. 6 New Haven Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.
“Montgomery is running up and down and plays really fast,” Uffmann said. “They return just about everyone from last year, including Chase Parrish. They just gave Hermann its first loss, and they can score in bunches.”
Hermann earned the No. 1 seed after beating Warrenton in last year’s championship, 54-45.
Uffmann said his team hasn’t looked ahead to a potential rematch with the host school, despite Warrenton’s success in tournaments this season.
The Warriors are 5-1 in tournament play, which includes the Winfield Tournament championship last month.
“A lot of our success is getting older and becoming mentally stronger,” Uffmann said. “These guys are a close-knit group and are really good friends off the court. They just want to win.”
Uffmann said his team’s goal for the tournament is simple.
“We expect to bring home a championship.”
.IN FOR TWO — Trevor Alberternst scores off the glass during Warrenton's 60-27 win over Wright City Nov. 18. The teams will meet again Tuesday in the first round of the Hermann Invitational. Derrick Forsythe photo.
