Warrenton boys basketball coach Shannon Jeffrey credits a 10-minute stretch during Monday's meeting with Hermann for his team’s 63-45 victory. The Warriors improved to 3-4, rebounding from a pair of narrow defeats last week. “I’m extremely proud of the way we were able to come back off a disappointing loss on Saturday and play so well,” said Jeffrey. Senior David Dent found his rhythm offensively, unleashing a team-high 21 points. He knocked down three treys in one of the Warriors’ better outside shooting performances. Warrenton came out solid on offense, taking a 12-5 lead after one quarter. They amplified that productivity in the second period, but Hermann had its own scoring weapon to remain in contention. Jake Schannuth scored 20 of his game-high 22 points in the second quarter, rattling the Warriors defensively. “He was taking it to us, because he was bigger than us,” said Jeffrey. “If we put a guard on him, he just backed us down.” But Jeffrey says there was a moment when his team clicked and the turnaround began. Warrenton led 30-29 with 1:17 remaining and tore off 10-0 run to close out the first half. “That swing going into the half was really big for us,” said Jeffrey. “That was the dealbreaker.” Warrenton led 40-29 at halftime. Jeffrey says he urged his team in the locker room to not let Schannuth score at will like he had in the second quarter. “I reassured them that we weren't going to lose the game,” asserted Jeffrey. “I told them, 'We have got to stop this guy.' “ The Warriors carried that defensive fire into the third quarter, during which they held the Bearcats to just two points. “Our defensive intensity showed in the third quarter when we only gave up two points,” said Jeffrey. “We finally got a team that we could fullcourt press the entire game.” Schannuth went scoreless during the final two periods. “Scotty Lathrop played a great defensive game against him and was able to put enough pressure on him to prevent him from attacking the basket in the second half,” said Jeffrey. “All of our guys were cognacent of where he was at on the floor and would step up and help out.”Jeffrey has become notorious for his persistent substitutions of full squads of five, never filtering in just one or two players at a line. He says its gained the nickname of the “hockey line” at school, and on Monday it made the difference. “I think our five-in, five-out rotation really wore them down and a lot of their shorts fell short in the second half,” said Jeffrey. “I think their legs were starting to get a little jellowy.” Warrenton had tried to pressure other opponents throughout the season, but for whatever reason, it didn't always work. This time the line of defense held up. Offensively, the Warriors were also more crisp than in previous performances, turning the ball over 17 times. Jeffrey says that is somewhat acceptable, unlike the 29 times they coughed up the ball against Seckman on Saturday. “We had a lot of good looks and were being very unselfish and it worked,” said Jeffrey. “We didn't shoot out best, but it was enough.” All 13 Warriors that saw playing time scored. Sophomore T.J. Lafaver netted eight, while junior Chris Hertel chipped in six.Jeffrey says his main area of concern right now is the Warriors inability to finish games off in the final four minutes. “We've got sort of a fourth-quarter jinx,” said Jeffrey. “We've struggled in the last four minutes of most of our games, and it's something that has hurt us, win or lose. We've got to work on that. Other than that, I'm extremely proud of their effort.”