The boys varsity basketball team played in the Fort Zumwalt West tournament this week.

“We all came into the tournament super excited with really high expectations,” senior guard Gabe Grote said.

The team played Monday night against Hannibal in their first game. The first three quarters of the game the boys were losing and fell behind but ended up coming back winning with a score of 56-53.

“We were definitely a little lazy in the beginning, we were a little too relaxed but in the fourth quarter we came back with a good and high energy level that was missing in the beginning of the game,” Grote said. “Our energy that we brought into the last quarter helped us come back and win the game for sure.”

The team moved on to play their second game on Wednesday, Jan 28. They played against Fort Zumwalt North and lost 49-74.

“We lacked communication and we struggled as a team because of it,” senior forward Derrick Scarbrough said.

The boys have played Fort Zumwalt North the last four years and according to players they have always been tough competition.

“They have a really great coaching staff and just a whole team that works really hard. They have always been a good team.” Scarbrough said.

Tonight the team will play for third place against Hazelwood East.

“We feel like we can win it. We just have to have the energy and motivation so we do not get behind early on in the game,” Grote said.

The team has felt good about this tournament and have been excited to compete against good teams. Players said that they have been working really hard at practices to be able to come out with a win tonight.

“I feel like we have prepared a lot for this tournament, and I think we will be fine in tonights game. This tournament has helped us work together more as a team,” junior guard Chase Powelson said. “We are definitely ready to play.”