Manhattan ? Veritas Christian Academy’s boys basketball team suffered a 68-43 setback Thursday against St. Marys Academy in the first round of the season-opening Shea Invitational Tournament at Flint Hills.

The Eagles were led by Mark Randtke, who scored 12 points with seven rebounds and four blocks. Newcomers Derek Shapiro, Noah Barclay and Paul Kempf combined for 23 points.

“We’re gonna bounce back from this,” Veritas coach Doug Bennett said. “St. Marys is a good team. They had the majority of their players together for several years. We’re trying to blend three new faces. We have talent, we just haven’t developed that team chemistry, which will happen when the season progresses.

“We have a very good team, it’s just going to take us a little time to jell.”

The Eagles will take the court at 5:30 today against Manhattan Christian at Flint Hills.

Notes

Veritas: Casey Woods 5, Noah Barclay 8, Derek Shapiro 8, Shaun Rebman 1, Mark Randtke 12, Paul Kempf 7, Andrew Bartlow 2.

St. Marys: Palmer 9, J.Engleholm 4, Pedersen 5, K.Engleholm 14, O’Neill 12, Stenek 16, Moats 6, Piemonte 2.