NOV 30, 2016 CRYSTAL CITY, JEFFERSON AND ST. VINCENT ALL IN ACTION AT ROLLA DUKE HERBERT BOYS BASKETBALL TOURNEY (Audio)
(Crystal City) The semifinals saw the Saxony Lutheran Crusaders and the St. Vincent Indians come away victorious as the two teams will battle Friday night in the Rolla “Duke” Herbert Tournament championship.
Game one saw the Crusaders top the Jefferson Blue Jays 84-48 after the Blue Jays battled them hard out of the gate. It was just 18-16 at the end of one before Saxony Lutheran outscored Jefferson 66-32 the rest of the way. It was senior Corie Williams for Saxony Lutheran that dominated the game dropping a game high 34 points.
Despite the score, the Blue Jays battled throughout the game and head coach Nic Zenker is proud of his team’s efforts…
Jefferson’s Easton Null scored 17 points for the Blue Jays knocking down five three pointers to lead their scoring attack. With the loss, the Blue Jays will have an opportunity to battle for third place in the tournament on Friday night.
Game two matched the host Crystal City Hornets against the Indians in a game that was close early before the Indians took command with their intense defensive pressure in the backcourt. St. Vincent scored on transition baskets on countless occasions and were led by junior guard Trevor Lukefahr as he had over five steals ad dropped a game high 20 points. At one point, Lukefahr had back-to-back-to back steals and buckets against the Hornets.
St. Vincent head coach Bruce Valleroy said defense has been a focus for them this season…
Senior forward Luke Wibbenmeyer added 12 points and led the way on the glass for the Indians.
The Hornets were led by junior Brady DeGeare who scored 15 points after dropping 41 in the opener of the tournament against the St. Louis Patriots. Senior forward Trenton Blanks added 12 points for the Hornets.
Head coach Sean Breeze believes the defensive pressure was too much for his young guards to handle…
The conclusion of the Rolla “Duke” Herbert Tournament takes place Friday night beginning with the consolation championship game, which will see the Herculaneum Blackcats battle the winner of the Patriots and St. Paul Lutheran at 5:00 pm. The third place game will follow as the Hornets battle the Blue Jays before a champion is crowned between the Indians and the Crusaders.