Prep basketball: Potosi Boys Take Fifth, Topping Valle

Valle Catholic’s Sam Drury (right) attempts a shot during the third quarter of a Mineral Area Activities Association championship bracket game on Wednesday at Foulon Field House in Park Hills. (PHOTO BY ERIC VICCARO/Herald staff)

By ERIC VICCARO

eviccaro@stegenherald.com

POTOSI — The Valle Catholic boys’ basketball team finished the Mineral Area Activities Association Tournament with two wins and two losses.

On its home court, Potosi defeated Valle Catholic, 62-57, in the fifth-place game Saturday evening.

Still, there were many positives to come out from the tournament. 

Valle Catholic defeated Kingston for the second time this season. The Warriors played competitive games against schools with larger enrollments in Potosi and Farmington. And Sam Drury eased back into the team’s rotation — with success.

“I thought we had a decent week,” Valle Catholic head coach Tyler Search said. “But, we should have won the fifth-place game. It was good to play Farmington tough, but I definitely thought we should have won the game against Potosi.”

Despite not getting over the hump versus Farmington, Valle had many strong possessions against a class group. Valle Catholic had control versus Potosi until the Trojans seized momentum late during the fourth quarter.

Versus Farmington, Aiden Heberlie dropped in 18 points to go with eight rebounds and Chase Fallert contributed 15 points.

The Knights shot 55 percent (27-of-49) from the field to the Warriors 43 (23-of-53). 

Farmington also cashed in from the free-throw line to the tune of 10-of-16 attempts (64 percent).

Carson Tucker stole a Farmington pass and converted a lay-up, followed by Chase Fallert making good on one of two free throws. 

The Warriors were down 60-55 with 3:42 remaining in the fourth quarter. However, Farmington outscored Valle Catholic 10-4 the rest of the way.

No individual statistics were available from the Farmington game as of this press run of the Ste. Genevieve Herald.

DISTRICT TOURNAMENT

Valle Catholic has been given the top seed and a first-round bye for the Class 2 District 4 Tournament beginning Saturday at Crystal City High School.

Search said the tournament served as a stern test because the competition prepares the Warriors well — taking the same approach during the upcoming playoffs. 

The Warriors will face the winner of the first-round game between Bismarck and Valley Caledonia on Wednesday, Feb. 23.

(Editor’s Note: For the complete story and statistics, subscribe to either the print or electronic editions of the Ste. Genevieve Herald. Subscribe: 1-573-883-2222.)