Darren Kinnard/River Radio Sports Central
BREESE — The Nashville Hornets are the champions of the 64th Mater Dei Christmas Tournament after knocking off previously unbeaten Orchard Farm out of St. Charles, Missouri 49-46.
Hornets’ head coach Stote Reeder called it his team’s best defensive effort of the season, noting they had to have it because the offense struggled.
Maddox Ritzel led the Nashville attack with 27 points and was instrumental on the Hornets’ defensive stand in the closing seconds as the Eagles struggled to get off a potential game-tying three-pointer.
Ritzel had plenty of help along the way as different teammates made critical plays, perhaps none bigger than Palmer Renken’s two fourth quarter threes. Renken scored all eight of his points in the final frame.
They do not name an MVP at Mater Dei. Ritzel was named to the All-Tournament First Team along with Gavin Rahm (Wesclin), Gavin Peppinhorst (Mater Dei), Will Wolf (Orchard Farm), and Colin Sinclair (Orchard Farm).
