St. Vincent falls to Jefferson, finishes fourth in Crystal City Tournament

The St. Vincent Indians started slow and finished slower in a 67-37 loss to the Jefferson Blue Jays in the third-place game at the Rolla Herbert Classic on Friday, Dec. 1, in Crystal City, Mo.

“We didn't shoot very well,” St. Vincent head coach Bruce Valleroy said.

The Indians were led by freshman Colden Prost, who scored 12 points. Senior Payton Strattman made a three-point basket in each of the first three quarters to total nine points in the game. His first three-pointer ended a Jefferson 13-2 run in the first quarter.

Like Grant Abernathy did last year, Valleroy said he expects Strattman to take the shot every time he sees an opening.

“He’s got the green light to shoot it, Valleroy said, and if he doesn’t shoot it, he’s gonna hear from me about it.”

St. Vincent�s Payton Strattman is surrounded by Jefferson defenders in the third place game at the Rolla �Duke� Herbert Tournament on Friday, Dec. 1 in Crystal City, Mo.Tony Capobianco ~ tcapobianco@semoball.com

After falling behind 13-5, the Indians scored 10 points in the second quarter, highlighted by three free throws and a three-pointer from Strattman, to go into halftime down 30-15.

The third quarter was their best quarter, as St. Vincent scored 18 points including four three-point baskets from Max Wheeler, Strattman and Prost, who had two. The Indians ran out of steam and were outscored 15-4 in the fourth quarter.

Jefferson was led by Kaleb Weiler, who got the majority of his game-high 23 points in the second half. Nate Breeze scored 20 of his 22 points in the second and third quarters. Breeze was named tournament MVP.

Valleroy said he hasn’t had much time to practice with his team, as a majority of the players were busy competing with the football team in the Class 1 playoffs.

“We've only been together for three practices and three games,” Valleroy said. So we're way behind the eight ball here.”

St. Vincent started its tournament run with a win over Herculaneum, before losing to Poplar Bluff in the semifinals and now to Jefferson.

The Indians will have an entire week to practice and get healthy before hosting Oak Ridge on Friday, Dec. 8.