Crusaders take Rolla ‘Duke’ Herbert title

Saxony Lutheran was led by experience to help claim the title.
Led by their three seniors, the Crusaders defeated Poplar Bluff 57-50 to win the Rolla “Duke” Herbert Classic in Crystal City on Friday. The Crusaders last won this tournament in 2017 as part of three straight tournament titles from 2015-2017.
John Hartman led the Crusaders with 23 points, including five three-pointers. Luke Eggemeyer scored 15 points and the third senior, Blake Gaebler, added 11 points. Hartman and Eggemeyer were named to the All-Tournament team. The Crusaders needed every point from its senior leaders as just five players scored for the Crusaders in the game

Hartman made three shots from beyond the arc in the first quarter to give the Crusaders a 13-12 first quarter lead. After falling behind 23-18 at halftime, Hartman and Eggemeyer combined to score 16 of the Crusaders’ 22 third quarter points to retake the lead and enter the fourth quarter up 39-36.
The Crusaders maintained their lead in the final period by making 9-of-16 from the free-throw line. Gaebler also scored half of his points in the fourth quarter.
Poplar Bluff was led by Preston Moore, who scored 21 points. Mar’Lon Hickman, who scored five points and Brendan Durden, who scored eight, were named to the All-Tournament team.