The boys high school basketball season is in full swing following the tip-off of area Thanksgiving tournaments.

Waterloo, which is hosting its own round robin tourney, played Edwardsville last Tuesday night in their first game, losing 48-38. The ‘Dogs were up 23-19 at halftime. Shane Lenhardt led the team with 10 points. Edwardsville’s head coach was ejected after being assessed two technical fouls in the contest. The Tigers opted to hold onto the ball for the final two minutes of the third quarter and first five minutes of the fourth quarter.

Waterloo dropped to 0-3 on the season with narrow defeats at the hands of Mater Dei (46-44) on Friday night and Highland (36-34) on Saturday. Ryan Aycock led the way with 15 points for the ‘Dogs against Mater Dei, including four three-pointers in the second half. Waterloo plays at Jerseyville on Friday.

Gibault is 5-0 on the season after winning the Metro-East Lutheran Tournament. The Hawks defeated Gillespie, 88-36, last Tuesday night, followed by a 76-34 win over Valmeyer last Wednesday, a 50-42 win Friday against Roxana and a 66-28 win Saturday against Litchfield. Four Gibault players scored in double digits against Gillespie, led by Nick Row with 19 points. Five players scored in double digits Wednesday, led by Wes Degener with 16. Mitch Meyer was the top scorer on Friday with 15 points. The Hawks also won to open tourney play, beating Mt. Olive on Monday, 63-23. Gibault travels to Pinckneyville on Friday.

Columbia began its season Friday night in the Lebanon Thanksgiving Tournament, defeating Freeburg, 59-48. The Eagles led 34-25 at halftime and kept up the pressure in the second half. Seniors Trey Search (14 points) and Cole Foster (15 points) led the way offensively for Columbia. The team shot 58 percent from three-point range. Korbin Farmer added three blocks for the Eagles. Columbia improved to 2-0 with a 50-42 victory over Piasa Southwestern in Saturday tourney action. Farmer dominated with 23 points and 19 rebounds. The Eagles lost on Tuesday night to Madison Prep, 53-28, and will play in the third place game of the tourney this Saturday night at 6 p.m.

Valmeyer is 1-3 on the season with a win and a loss Friday following the Wednesday loss to Gibault. The Pirates also lost on the road Monday to Gillespie, 51-47, in the Metro-East Lutheran Tourney in Edwardsville and Tuesday at home to Affton. The Pirates lost to Roxana in the early game Friday, 66-31, but bounced back to defeat Mt. Olive, 57-31, later in the day. Zach Williams scored 24 points in the win.

Dupo, also playing in the MEL tourney, opened its season with a loss Monday to the host team, 78-48. Joey Mirabal led the Tigers with 29 points. The Tigers also lost on Friday to Wood River and Christ Our Rock.