The high school boys basketball season got off to a fast start last week as multiple local squads participated in Thanksgiving holiday tournaments. 

Columbia competed in the Wesclin Tip-Off Classic, winning three of four games. 

The Eagles opened with a 59-44 victory Nov. 20 over Christ Our Rock Lutheran. Columbia sued a 17-8 third quarter run for separation following a close fire half. 

Sam Donald, a 6-foot-8 junior who is being counted on to lead Columbia this winter, recorded 26 points, eight rebounds and eight assists. Brody Landgraf added 22 points. 

On Nov. 21, the Eagles bested Mater Dei by the count of 65-54. Donald turned in a 36-point effort for Columbia. 

On Friday, Donald was the star again in a 39-33 victory for the Eagles over Nashville. Donald scored 27 points, including 13-of-14 shooting from the free throw line. 

On Saturday, Columbia dropped a hard-fought contest against tourney host Wesclin, 61-55. The Eagles led 20-7 after the first quarter, but Wesclin stormed back. 

Donald finished with 19 points and nine rebounds. Micah James added 14 points for the Eagles.

Columbia hosted Triad on Tuesday, falling 41-40. The Eagles held a 22-14 lead at halftime, but the Knights went on a 14-5 third quarter run. Columbia hosts Wood River this Friday night. 

Waterloo also won three of four games in its season-opening tournament, that being the Redbird Classic in Alton. 

The Bulldogs opened with a 65-50 loss to Alton on Nov. 20. Rodrigo Lopez Tercero, a 6-foot-8 senior, led the way with 14 points. Alex Stell, a 6-foot-10 junior, scored 13 points for Waterloo. Caleb Yochum, a senior guard, also scored 13 points. 

On Nov. 22, Waterloo picked up a 71-41 win over Jennings. Tercero again led the way with 21 points and eight rebounds, followed by Yochum with 20 points and Stell with 18 points and 11 rebounds. 

On Friday, the Bulldogs won 66-51 over Lift For Life JV. Stell had a monster game with 41 points and 11 rebounds. Tercero added 15 points in the victory. 

Waterloo closed out tourney play with a 53-49 win over Confluence Academy. Stell poured in 26 points and grabbed eight rebounds. Yochum scored 11 points. 

The ‘Dogs hosted unbeaten Wesclin on Tuesday, falling 51-46 in overtime. Yochum scored 17 points.

Waterloo hosts Mississippi Valley Conference foe Triad this Friday night following the girls game, and then plays Tuesday at Red Bud. 

Gibault split four games at the Roxana Tournament last week. 

The defending Class 1A state champions won Nov. 20 over Jerseyville, 49-33. Two key players from last season’s title team – seniors Kanen Augustine and Gavin Kesler – each scored 16 points to lead the Hawks. 

On Nov. 22, Gibault dropped a tight 36-34 contest to tourney host Roxana. The Hawks trailed 12-5 after the first quarter kept fought hard to the end. 

On Friday, Gibault picked up a 51-38 win over Civic Memorial. 

Gibault concluded tourney play with a 58-35 loss to Marquette. The Hawks fell behind 20-7 after the first quarter and couldn’t recover.  

Kesler led the way with 17 points for Gibault, which plays Thursday at Freeburg before hosting New Athens this coming Tuesday. 

Valmeyer opened its season Nov. 21 against Red Bud, falling 68-58.

Aiden Crossin scored 20 points, Tanner Frierdich netted 13 points and Landon Roy contributed 12 points for the Pirates, who lost 63-56 to St. Pius X on Tuesday in Valley Park, Mo.