A six game marathon kicked off the Columbia-Freeburg Holiday Tournament at Columbia High School Thursday with Metro East Lutheran topping Lebanon, 55-49, in the first game of the tournament.

Lovejoy and senior Devin Jones, who scored a team-high 20-points, were too much for Dupo, defeating them with ease, 74-35, in the second game of the day. Dupo will face Civic Memorial on Friday at 11 a.m., as Civic fell to Freeburg, 46-40, on Thursday in the 2 p.m. game.

Columbia’s Cameron Roth and Foster Gundlach helped lead the Eagles to a 55-42 victory over Hillsboro Thursday afternoon, posting a combined 38-points against the Hilltoppers. The Eagles will take on rival Waterloo Friday in the 7 p.m. game. The Bulldogs defeated Metro East Lutheran easily Thursday in the first of two night games, 53-33. Shane Lenhardt led WHS with 11-points and four rebounds.

Alton-Marquette, regarded as the team to watch in the tournament, finished off the Thursday hoops marathon at CHS topping Lovejoy, 75-35. The Explorers will play Freeburg at 8:30 p.m. Friday night.

In other holiday tournament news…

Valmeyer fell to Woodlawn in the Sesser-Valier Holiday Tournament, 71-50, on Thursday.

Gibault and Red Bud will kick off their holiday tournament play in the Duster Hoops Classic at Pinckneyville High School Friday.

Here is a complete tourney schedule to view and print>>> Duster Thomas Hoops Classic

Meanwhile, the annual SPPCS jr. high basketball tournament also tips 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.