Drew Lansford’s Hermann varsity Bearcats went into last Tuesday’s non-conference road tilt at Wright City looking for a 2-0 start to the young season while Hermann’s JV Bearcats looked to open their season on a winning note.

Seeing their JV counterparts post a 32-31 overtime victory, Lansford’s varsity Bearcats led 19-3 after one quarter and never looked back en route to a 44-25 victory.

Ryker Ash led the blue and white netting 11 of his game-high 16 points in the first half.

Layne Bader hit a trio of 3-point shots helping him reach double figures with 11 points, five rebounds and three assists.

After a first-quarter 3-pointer went down, Bader did the remainder of his damage with eight second-half points.

Making his basketball season debut after a football injury sidelined him most of the fall, senior Aiden Eikermann scored eight of his nine points in the opening quarter.

Kohlt Witthaus added five points all in the first half while Corbin Sadler rounded out the varsity Bearcat scoring with three points all in the second half.

Witthaus also added nine rebounds, seven assists and three steals to his five points.

Tayven Hopkins also pulled down eight rebounds while Eikermann grabbed six caroms.

Tied at 29-29 after four quarters, Hermann got a bucket from Sawyer Moore and an EJ Lindahl free throw helping them to a 32-31 overtime victory.

Lindahl led the JV Bearcats with nine points followed closely with eight points from Moore.

Parker Thurman chipped seven points to go along with four points apiece from Trevin Hale and Roman Martin.

Weather and road conditions permitting, Hermann’s varsity Bearcats opened play last night (Tuesday) at the Montgomery County Invitational Boys Basketball Tournament.

Hermann’s JV Bearcats were originally scheduled to open play at the New Haven JV Boys Basketball Tournament Monday night but winter weather postponed their first-round game against St. James to last night (Tuesday).