By Kory Carpenter

Record Sports Editor

The Gateway Athletic Conference/Suburban Shootout tips off Thursday afternoon at Missouri Baptist University, and the Warrenton boys will square off with Eureka Friday at 5:30 p.m.

The annual event puts two of the biggest conferences in St. Louis against each other in a three-day event, formerly held at the St. Charles Family Arena.

“It’s a great opportunity to get everybody together,” Warrenton Head Coach Mike Uffmann said. “People like sitting in a gym and watching basketball all day.”

Fifteen of the 17 GAC schools will participate this season, and 15 of the 32 Suburban Conference schools were selected on a first-come, first-served basis.

Last season, Warrenton lost to McCluer, 63-32.

“They took it to us,” Uffmann said. “They played a different speed than us and they were tough. But we’re feeling pretty confident about this year’s matchup.”

The Warriors were given a No. 10 seed in this year’s event, and face a 1-3 Eureka team coming off a 71-56 loss to Parkway South Dec. 11.

“Eureka is big,” Uffmann said. “They play a man-to-man, which is great because we haven’t seen it much this year.”

Uffmann believes his forwards are more athletic than Eureka’s, and he hopes they can spread the floor and open up lanes for Warrenton guards.

The Wildcats feature a balanced attack, led by junior guard Alex Cleary (8.5 points per game) and senior guard Luke Orso (8.2).

Five other players average at least five points.

Warrenton and Eureka will be the second game Friday, and will be followed by St. Charles West and Parkway West at 7 p.m.

Troy and Ladue headline the main event, Saturday at 7 p.m.

After improving from a No. 12 seed last year, Uffmann hopes his program can land a Saturday night game in the future.

“A prime time game in a big event like this would do so much for these kids,” Uffmann said. 

GAC/Suburban Shootout schedule:

Dec. 17 

Maplewood-RH vs. Fort Zumwalt East 4 p.m.

Lindbergh vs. Washington 5:30 p.m.

McCluer South-Berkely vs. Holt 7 p.m.

Ritenour vs. Fort Zumwalt West 8:30 p.m.

Dec. 18 

Parkway North vs. Liberty 4 p.m.

Eureka vs. Warrenton 5:30 p.m.

Parkway West vs. St. Charles West 7 p.m.

Jennings vs. Fort Zumwalt North 8: 30 p.m.

Dec. 19 

Northwest vs. Winfield 10 a.m.

Parkway Central vs. Francis Howell North 11:30 a.m.

Clayton vs. St. Charles 1 p.m.

Parkway South vs. Francis Howell Central 2:30 p.m.

Marquette vs. Fort Zumwalt South 4 p.m.

McCluer vs. Timberland 5:30 p.m.

Ladue vs. Troy 7 p.m.

DRIVING IN — Sophomore guard Brenden Smith drives into the lane earlier this season against Fort Zumwalt East. Smith and his teammates will face Eureka Friday in the GAC/Suburban Shootout.            Kory Carpenter photo.