A couple of local high school boys basketball squads are gaining momentum while others seek health and consistency prior to a busy slate of games.

Gibault (9-10) continued its upward trajectory with wins Friday and Saturday. 

The Hawks won 50-24 at Steeleville on Friday, as senior Gavin Kesler poured in 20 points and grabbed 10 rebounds. 

On Saturday, Gibault posted a 59-53 road win at Civic Memorial. Kanen Augustine, another senior, led the way with 18 points. Kesler added 13 points and 12 rebounds. Ryan Biffar made four three-pointers.

Kesler is averaging 15.8 points and seven rebounds per game on the season. Augustine is averaging 14.6 points and 2.24 assists per game. 

Gibault opened Chester Invitational Tournament play Tuesday with a 59-30 win over Chester JV. The Hawks take on Chester this Thursday.

Columbia (12-4) is also riding high with a seven-game winning streak. The Eagles won 59-39 at home over Freeburg on Friday. The Eagles closed out the victory with a 21-5 fourth quarter run. 

Sam Donald scored 22 points and grabbed seven rebounds. Brody Landgraf added 20 points and 12 rebounds for Columbia.

Columbia won 57-32 over Vandalia on Tuesday. Donald scored 20 to lead the Eagles, who play Thursday at Wood River, hosts Cahokia at 3:30 p.m. Saturday and begins Okawville tournament play Monday night against the host school. 

Donald, a 6-foot-8 junior, is averaging 20.3 points and 8.6 rebounds per game to lead the Eagles this season. 

Waterloo (10-7), playing without injured 6-foot-10 junior Alex Stell, lost 55-39 to Highland last Wednesday. 

Waterloo won 50-41 over Steeleville on Tuesday night behind 15 points from 6-foot-8 senior Rodrigo Lopez Tercero.

Waterloo plays Thursday at Triad. The Bulldogs play in the Southern Illinois Classic Shootout this Saturday at Althoff with a noon contest against Alton. Next week, the ‘Dogs compete in the Sparta Mid-Winter Classic. 

Stell is averaging 19.2 points and 10.7 rebounds per game this season. 

Caleb Yochum is averaging 14 points per game and is shooting 81.3 percent from the free throw line. 

Rodrigo Lopez Tercero is averaging about 12 points per game. 

Valmeyer (4-11) lost two of three recent games. 

The Pirates dropped a 60-50 contest against Valle Catholic on Monday in the Chester tourney. 

On Friday, Valmeyer picked up a 65-33 win over Lebanon at home. Aiden Crossin scored 27 points. Landon Roy added 13 points, five rebounds, five assists and five steals. 

Last Tuesday, the Pirates lost 44-36 to Father McGivney. Roy scored 13 points; Crossin scored 10 points. 

Crossin leads the Pirates in scoring this season at 15.8 points per game. 

Roy is averaging 12.4 points, 4.3 assists and 2.86 steals per game. 

Dupo (0-11) lost 52-20 at O’Fallon First Baptist last Tuesday. Kaden Scheppelman scored nine points for the Tigers, who play Friday at Marissa and host Wood River on Tuesday.