Holiday hoops: Waterloo blasts Columbia; Gibault keeps winning
Waterloo faced Columbia in the semifinals of the Columbia-Freeburg Holiday Tournament Friday night with a berth in the championship game at stake. The Bulldogs wasted little time from the opening tip-off, jumping all over the Eagles early, building a 16-4 lead after the first period on five 3-point buckets.
Waterloo poured it on in the second period, putting up 18 points in the second to take a 34-13 halftime lead into the locker room. Their defense kept the pressure on the Eagles, causing several turnovers.
Columbia found its rhythm on offense in the third period, putting up 13 points, but they could not overcome the early 21-point hole they found themselves in. The Bulldogs would pull away in the fourth period to take the win, 67-36, and advance to the championship game Saturday at 8 p.m., when they will face Alton Marquette.
Ryan Aycock led the way in scoring for the Bulldogs (4-4) with 15 points, including four 3-pointers. Johnny Albers chipped in with 12 points, including two 3-pointers.
Columbia (4-4) will face Freeburg in the third place game Saturday at 6:30 p.m.
Click to view and print the updated Columbia-Freeburg Holiday Tournament bracket.The Explorers defeated Freeburg, 41-31, on Friday night to advance to the title game.
In other holiday tournament news…
Gibault kicked off holiday tournament play in the Duster Hoops Classic at Pinckneyville High School Friday. The Hawks opened with a 61-51 win over Benton in the morning and followed that up with a 63-40 win over Lyon County in the evening. Nick Row led the Hawks with 22 points against Benton. Wes Degener was the high-point man for Gibault against Lyon County with 16 points. The Hawks (9-0) face host team Pinckneyville in the semifinals on Saturday.
Red Bud also participated in the Duster Hoops Classic on Friday, losing both games — 65-45 to Roxana and 58-39 to Olney.
Here is a complete tourney schedule to view and print>>> Duster Thomas Hoops Classic
Meanwhile, the annual SPPCS jr. high basketball tournament also tipped off Friday.
Here is a complete bracket to view and print>>> SPPCS Holiday Tourney 2013
For a complete list of scores, check out the “Recent Sports Scores” in the ticker on the R-T Sports Page.
To view and purchase photos from the tournament, click here.
