HERMANN — The Bearcats bounced back with a big win in their second game of the season and their first game at home, routing the Wright City Wildcats Tuesday evening, Nov. 26, by the final score of 62-14.

Coming off a close defeat to St. James in their season opener, Hermann looked to course correct in their first home game and wasted little time getting off to a dominant start against the Wildcats.

The Bearcats brought immediate pressure all over the court, pressing on defense which helped them create turnovers, thereby allowing them to push the pace on offense which combined helped keep Wright City disorganized and unable to do much to slow Hermann.

They found scoring opportunities all over the floor, attacking the net with Coulter Schwartze and Daeden Hopkins with success which in turn gave guards like John Hiatt and Easton Stiers ample room to shoot from three-point range.

By the end of the first quarter, Hermann had established a 25-2 lead thanks to their strong all-around play. Wright City did not score their first points until more than five minutes into the game, by which point they were already down by more than 20 points.

Hermann’s defense continued its effective play against the Wildcats in the second quarter, particularly inside where Hopkins recorded multiple blocks in the first two quarters alone, but their aggressive on-ball defense largely prevented penetration in the first place by forcing turnovers and tipping passes.

Their offense slowed after a high-scoring first quarter, but they continued to steadily run up the score and frustrate the Wildcats on all levels on defense.

By halftime, Hermann held a 39-4 lead after surrendering just two field goals in the first 16 minutes of the game.

Although Wright City would eventually break double digits, the outcome was never in doubt with Hermann coasting to the 62-14 win.

The victory put Hermann in the win column for the first time this season, putting them at 1-1.

This week, they are participating in the Montgomery County Tournament with games scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 3, and Thursday, Dec. 5. The results for Tuesday evening’s game against Bowling Green were unavailable at the time of publication.

Regardless of the results of that game, Hermann will play at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 5, at either the middle school gym or the high school gym at Montgomery County. Their possible opponents for that game are either New Haven or Mexico.