The Har-Ber boys basketball team travelled to Springfield, Missouri for the Doubletree Classic on Thursday, Dec. 2 and played the Blue Jays from Liberty, Missouri in the first-round match-up.

The Wildcats (0-4) were led in the scoring department by junior forward Jacob Bladdick, a 6-4 swing-man, with 13 points. The Wildcats also picked up 9 points from senior point guard Matt Bradley in the 82-59 loss. The Blue Jays led 44-27 at half-time and never looked back.

“We could never get on a streak and get consecutive stops,” said Bladdick. “We need to get to work on our defense and closing out on the shooters.”

Har-Ber was outscored by the Blue Jays in every quarter. Har-Ber will take on tournament host Springfield Kickapoo in the second round of the classic, today at 7:30 p.m.

“We have to keep our heads up and string together four solid quarters,” Bladdick said.