Routt Wins Turkey Tournament, Extends Unbeaten Start to Five

Routt captured the championship of the Gene Bergschneider Turkey Tournament in New Berlin with a 51 to 36 victory over PORTA A C Central on December 4. The Rockets built momentum late in the first half when Nolan Mossman banked a long range, full court shot at the buzzer, and Routt controlled the game after intermission.

Senior leadership carried Routt through the second half. Adam Abell finished with 19 points while Bryson Mossman added 16 and Nolan Mossman chipped in 13. PORTA A C Central pressed in the final minutes, and Clayton Hoke had late free throw attempts that fell short of changing the outcome. Routt closed the tournament with a second straight Turkey Tournament championship and improved its record to 5 to 0.

The result matters to Morgan County beyond a trophy. An unbeaten start strengthens Routt s position heading into conference play and raises expectations for home attendance and local support. The Rockets were scheduled to host Litchfield in their home opener the following Friday night, with JV action starting at 6 p.m. That game offers a chance for the community to see how Routt matches up against non tournament opponents and to assess depth and chemistry as the season progresses.

For players and coaches, the tournament provided a measuring stick. Routt s ability to sustain a run after a momentum swinging play at halftime underscored conditioning and in game adjustments. For opposing programs, the outcome highlights areas to target when preparing for Routt s balanced scoring and senior experience.

Photographs from the tournament documented the decisive plays and were taken by Dennis Mathes. As the regular season unfolds, local fans and school officials will watch whether Routt can maintain its early form, translate tournament success into conference wins, and sustain community engagement at Timely home contests.