In recent years, Warrenton High School has made a push to host more major events and the district will open the new year by adding another.

The boys basketball team will host the Warrenton Winter Classic the week of January 5-9, welcoming in seven teams from around the area.

“Coach (Mike) Uffmann approached me last fall about having our own tournament,” explained activities director Bobby Spoonster. “Last year the boys only had five home games, and this would guarantee them at least three more.”

He says the demand to participate was overwhelming.

“When we opened up the tournament, it filled up in less than three days,” said Spoonster, who is eager to show off the school’s newly-installed scoreboard. The school received word that is would be hosting the Class 3 quarterfinal the next two seasons and worked with the Big Red Boosters to replace the previous scoreboards for a pair with more detailed options.

The Warriors were awarded the No. 3 seed heading into the tournament and will open against sixth-seeded Liberty.

Warrenton actually has the best record of any team entering the tournament, having gone 5-3 prior to semester break.

No. 1 Holt vs. No. 8 Barat Academy, 5:30 p.m.

Holt opened the season 4-5 and possesses offensive balance, with five players averaging 8.4 points or above per game. Ben Lucas is leading the way with 11.4 points, while Devin Sloan has recorded nine points and 1.57 steals per outing.

The Indians’ rebounding has also been well spread among the team, with Jon Main grabbing a team-best 3.3 boards per night.

Holt faces a 1-8 Barat team that claimed its only victory against Hancock and has given up 70 or more points to opponents on four occasions.

Jake Kampf is leading the Eagles with 13 points per game, while Geoffrey Herr is averaging 12.3 per outing.

No. 4 Zumwalt East vs. No. 5 O’Fallon Christian, 4 p.m.

The Lions have struggled to a 1-7 start, beating only Winfied so far.

Dan Morris has been a team-leader across the board, averaging 14.5 points, eight rebounds and 2.4 assists each game.

Liam Rome has added 10.5 points and 3.6 boards per night.

Christian hasn’t faired much better through the break, going 1-5 and also beating Winfield for its only win.

Luke Rodgers has been a leader with 11.4 points and 2.5 steals per game.

Inside the Eagles have relied on DT Christianson with nine points and 5.6 rebounds on a consistent basis.

No. 2 Zumwalt West vs. No. 7 Hannibal, 7 p.m.

The Jaguars earned the second seed, despite their 1-6 record after facing some challenging opposition early in the season. Zumwalt West’s only victory came againts Ritenour, and they have faced Holt already, losing 52-35.

Ray Meyer is leading the edge in scoring with 12.3 points, while grabbing 4.1 boards per game.

Eric Becker has averaged 10.4 points and 8.3 rebounds each contest.

Hannibal, despite winning 17 games last winter, is yet to win a game this season.

No. 3 Warrenton vs. No. 6 Liberty, 8:30 p.m.

The Warriors have enjoyed untraditional success already this season and are the only team in the Classic with a winning record, thanks to a four-game winning stretch in early December.

They will be looking to get back on track after a demoralizing defeat to McCluer at Family Arena to close out the semester.

Warrenton also has two of the more prolific and high-scoring players in the tournament.

Senior Alec Tonioli is averaging a team-best 15.8 points on 43-percent shooting, including a stellar 38-percent mark from beyond the arc. He is hauling 6.5 rebounds per contest.

Craig Vardiman has been perhaps the Warriors’ most improved player, scoring 15 points and grabbing 15.1 boards per game.

Second-round games will be held on Thursday, beginning at 4 p.m.

The trophy contests will all take place on Saturday, starting with the seventh-place contest at 4 p.m. and concluding with the championship at 8:30 p.m.

“We’re real excited to have some bigger schools come in and see our facilities,” said Spoonster.