The Lafayette Lancer boys basketball team kicked off their season when they competed in the Hall of Fame Classic at Parkview High School in Springfield, Missouri on Dec. 3.

Lafayette won the first game of the tournament against the Parkview Vikings 82-57 and got solid performances from guard Jake Messer, who scored 14 points and guard Steve Pennington, who scored 13 points and shot a perfect five for five from the field.

The Lancers next game was against the Glendale Falcons. The winner of that game would head to play in the championship game, but Lafayette was not able pull out the win as they lost 70-67 despite forward Luke Finley scoring 27 points.

Following the loss to the Falcons, Lafayette played De Smet on Dec. 5 to attempt to take home the third place finish, but the Spartans got out to an early lead in the first quarter and Lafayette lost the game 68-47.

“I thought this was a good tournament for us,” Scott Allen, head coach, said. “Every experience we go through will make us better, if our attitude is right.”

After a fourth place finish at the Hall of Fame Classic, the Lancers record stands at 2-2 after they beat the Washington Blue Jays, 60-33, on Dec. 8. Lafayette is also tied for fourth place in the conference standings with Mehlville.

Last year, Lafayette had a fantastic season with an overall record of 24-5, and they took home a Conference and District championship.

“I like our team’s makeup and do fully expect to contend for Conference and Districts,” Allen said.

Their next game will be the first home game of the season and will take place on Dec. 18 at 7 p.m. against Francis Howell.