Valle Girls Win, Score Season High

By ERIC X. VICCARO

EVICCARO@STEGENHERALD.COM

Valle Catholic freshman Lexi Ritter netted the final two points of the game on Saturday afternoon versus Scott City.

Senior Hannah Fowler took note, Warriors’ head coach Brian Bauman said, leaping off the bench with her hands raised in the air.

Fowler capped her scholastic basketball career with a 24-point performance, including 10-of-14 from the free-throw line as Valle Catholic defeated Scott City 68-50.

“For Hannah to have such a big game the way she did, I could tell she wanted the ball more than day,” Bauman said, “and she was rewarded for her efforts.”

Both the Warriors and Rams were scrambling for replacement games last week due to the weather and poor road conditions — so they played each other.

Fowler also snagged 15 rebounds, grabbed five steals and dished off two assists.

This marked Senior Day, with Riley Siebert dressed in uniform for the first time since a holiday tournament at West County High School, Bryna Blum and Fowler all recognized on the court. Blum was injured during the game, Bauman reported.

Valle Catholic improved to 9-15 heading into Monday’s playoff game on the road at Puxico. The Warriors are seeded higher, No. 3, with Puxico No. 6.

Bauman was pleased with how the Warriors performed in what essentially was a tune-up game.

“Our game was the exact pick-me-up when needed,” Bauman said. “We’re itching to play again, and you can’t ask for a better mindset going into postseason play.”

The coach also said not to sleep on the Warriors during the Class 2 District 3 Tournament, with Oran serving as the host site for the championship game later this week.

Sam Loida and Ade Weiler also scored in double figures with 16 and 12 points, respectively. Loida also grabbed five rebounds and had three assists. Weiler also had five steals to tie Fowler for the team lead in that game.

Mia Weiler paced the Warriors with seven assists, and Valle Catholic registered 40 free-throw attempts in all in this non-league contest featuring a combined 41 fouls.

Valle Catholic opened with a 17-8 lead at the end of one, extending to a 30-18 margin at the break. The Warriors continued building their advantage throughout the second half.