MOKANE — Opening the 2026 portion of their season Friday night on the road, Drew Lansford’s Hermann Bearcat basketball team made the short trek into Callaway County to face South Callaway’s Bulldogs in Mokane.

Seeing their junior-varsity counterparts drop a 29-25 decision, Lansford’s varsity Bearcats looked to split the Friday-night twin bill in southern Callaway County.

Opening the game on a 10-0 run, Hermann put themselves in good position to split the doubleheader kicking off the 2026 portion of their season.

Tied at 45-45 on a Kohlt Witthaus bucket with 1:34 remaining, South Callaway ended the game on a 6-0 run putting Hermann on the short end of a 51-45 final score.

“We played hard but did not hit enough free throws throughout the game to help our cause,” Lansford said.

Between the trio of Ryker Ash, Tayven Hopkins and Witthaus, Hermann scored the first 10 points of the game giving them an early leg up at the 5:17 mark of the first quarter.

Kruz Eldringhoff and Ash each hit a 3-pointer later in the period helping the Bearcats to a 16-12 advantage after eight minutes of basketball.

Seeing South Callaway creep to withing three points at 21-18 with 3:20 until halftime, a Witthaus 3-pointer and an Ash free throw gave Hermann a 27-21 halftime lead.

Witthaus led the Bearcats eight first-half points while Ash was close behind with seven markers over the first two quarters.

Garrett Wright also paced the Bulldogs with eight first-half points.

Tied at 33-33 with 1:59 for the third quarter, Witthaus hit a pair of free throws seconds later helping the Bearcats to a 35-33 lead entering the fourth quarter.

Moments after South Callaway took a 36-35 lead, Hermann’s Zach Fredrick gave the Bearcats a 38-36 advantage with 7:10 remaining on an old-fashioned 3-point play.

Frederick made his season debut after missing the majority of the football season this past fall due to injury.

Able to tie the game twice at 41-41 and 45-45, Hermann was not able to regain the lead before dropping their opening contest of 2026.

Witthaus led Hermann with 17 points, seven rebounds and three steals while Ash also reached double figures with 10 points and four rebounds.

Eldringhoff added eight points while Aiden Eikermann and Hopkins both chipped in five points each.

Eikermann also grabbed a team-high 11 rebounds while blocking two shots.

Wright led South Callaway with 16 points and three steals.

Trent Anderson’s Hermann JV Bearcats held a 13-12 halftime lead before trailing during the entire second half of their 29-25 loss.

Sawyer Moore led Hermann with a team-high double double of 11 points and 12 rebounds.

Gavyn Theissen added five points and four rebounds while Ashton Rucker chipped in four points, four rebounds and three steals.

Layne Bader hit a third-quarter 3-pointer for three points while Trevin Hale capped the JV Bearcat scoring with two points on a pair of second-quarter free throws.

Facing Washington Monday night, Hermann will return to action tomorrow (Thursday) at St. Clair before hosting Cuba Friday night.