The long week and lack of practice time finally caught up to the Indians.
The St. Vincent boys fell to Jefferson 67-37 in the third place game of the Rolla “Duke” Herbert Classic in Crystal City Friday.
A majority of the roster for the Indians were playing football just a few days before the tournament began and have had limited practice time. Couple that with injuries to senior Jacob Schremp and post presence Boston Tarillion and it was not a good recipe in the finale of the tournament.
“We have only been together for three practices and three games, so we are way behind the eight ball here.” St. Vincent coach Bruce Valloeroy said. “The week caught up to us. We are still not in basketball shape and we are still trying to get all the rust off. I think we will be ok. The word for us is patience.”
The Indians were led by freshman Colden Prost, who scored 12 points. Senior Payton Strattman made a three-point basket in each of the first three quarters to total nine points in the game. His first three-pointer ended a Jefferson 13-2 run in the first quarter.
After falling behind 13-5, the Indians scored 10 points in the second quarter, highlighted by three free throws and a three-pointer from Strattman, to go into halftime down 30-15.
The third quarter was their best quarter, as the Indians scored 18 points including four three-point baskets from Max Wheeler, Strattman and Prost, who had two. The Indians ran out of steam and were outscored 15-4 in the fourth quarter.
“WE play a lot of young kids and only three with really any varsity experience,” Valleroy said. “They go put into thee fire right away with very little practice. However, there are no excuses. We knew what we were getting into this week and we got a lot of kids playing time.”
Jefferson was led by Kaleb Weiler, who got the majority of his game-high 23 points in the second half. Nate Breeze scored 20 of his 22 points in the second and third quarters. Breeze was named tournament MVP.
St. Vincent started its tournament run with a win over Herculaneum (73-60), before losing to Poplar Bluff (88-53) in the semifinals and now to Jefferson.
The Indians will have an entire week to practice and get healthy before hosting Oak Ridge on Friday, Dec. 8.
