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Central Hawks Win 5th Straight Vianney Basketball Invitational
BY JIM WIENERS
Since November, 2004, there seems to be three things in common: Death, taxes and Hazelwood Central Boys Basketball winning the Jerry Boeckman/Vianney Invitational.
For the fifth straight year Hazelwood Central takes first place in the Vianney Tournament last week. “It’s always great to win a tournament,” said Josh Martin, who is in his fourth year as the Hawks head coach.
Hazelwood Central, 5-0 prior to last Tuesday’s home opener Rockwood-Marquette, opened the tournament Dec. 1 with a 53-34 win over Westminster Christian Academy, a team the Hawks defeated in two previous Vianney Invites including the 2004 championship game. Bryce Foster scored 19 points, Connell Crossland had nine rebounds and Curtis Churchman had five assists.
On Dec. 3 Central edged Clayton, 61-59, as the Hawks outscored the Greyhounds, 13-10 in the fourth quarter after trailing 49-48 after three. Foster scored 18 while Churchman, who played with four fouls, and Crossland each scored 12. Clayton was led by Syd Warner with 27 points.
Last Friday Central defeated host Vianney, 56-44, the fifth time the Hawks defeated the host Golden Griffins, the last four coming in the tournament championship games. Central saw a seven-point lead after one quarter (12-5) evaporate to one (23-22) at halftime but after leading by two after three quarters (38-36) the Hawks outscored the Griffins, 18-8 in the final quarter to wrap it. Donald Wells scored 14 points, nine coming from three-point range, Foster scored 13 and Crossland added 12.
“It’s been a heck of a ride,” Martin said. “Hopefully we’ll be able to do better everyday.”
Prior to the Boeckman/Vianney Invite Hazelwood Central opened the season with a Nov. 25 with a 66-52 win at Troy Buchanan. On Nov. 29 the Hawks went to Cape Girardeau and came home from the Southeast Missouri State University Show Me Center with a 75-52 win over Cape Central. On the way home from Cape Martin said the team bus stopped at the Edward Jones Dome and the Hawk Basketball team watched the Football Hawks win the Class Six State title.
McCLUER won the Pattonville Tournament last week after opening the season Nov. 29 with a 61-57 loss at Poplar Bluff. McCluer, 3-1 prior to last Tuesday’s home opener against Parkway West, defeated Jennings (71-66, Dec. 1), Chaminade (77-67, Dec. 3) and Lafayette (61-52, last Friday). McCluer has a rematch at Jennings this Friday at 6:30.
NORTH COUNTY TECH took second place in the Bank of Old Monroe Tip Off Classic in Winfield. North Tech, 2-1 prior to Tuesday’s home opener against Logos, defeated Winfield (50-45) and Warrenton (48-46) before losing to Lutheran-St. Charles County (63-43).
TRINITY CATHOLIC took third place in the Valley Park Tournament last week after finishing second last year and winning it two years ago. Trinity, 2-1 prior to their home opener Wednesday against Archdiocesan Athletic Association rival Cardinal Ritter, defeated Kennedy (41-27), lost to Brentwood (68-59) and defeated Priory (53-34).
RIVERVIEW GARDENS took fifth place at the Boeckman/Vianney Invite, losing to Vianney (63-52) then defeated Eureka (70-62) and Soldan International Studies (61-46). Riverview, McCluer North and Hazelwood East are playing this week in the Troy Peoples Bank Tournament.
