When Montgomery County senior Noah Farmer was recognized during the announcement of the starting lineup in the Wildcats’ senior night game against the St. Louis Blue Knights on Feb. 6, he had mixed emotions.

Farmer was glad that he got to start for the first time, but he was sad that time is running out on his high school basketball career.

“It made me happy and sad all at the same time because it was like I’m not ready for it to be over,” Farmer said. “I didn’t realize that it was almost over until last year.”

Farmer, Alex Hartman and Zak Rodgers – along with managers Harrison Bishop and Sylvia Miller – were recognized with their parents before the game. The senior trio played for the MCHS basketball program all four years.

“It does not feel like it’s about to end,” Hartman said. “It feels like we have another year. But once that final buzzer goes off, it’s like, ‘Oh, shoot, we don’t have another practice left.’ It’s definitely going to be heartbreaking.”

The seniors were upset that their team didn’t pull off the win on senior night. The Blue Knights came back from an 11-point, third-quarter deficit to beat the Wildcats 57-56 at Ballew & Snell Court. Rodgers hit a 3-pointer in the first quarter and Hartman scored a basket in the second.

“We were hoping to come out here and win, especially being here on senior night,” Farmer said.

Despite the loss, the seniors are thrilled to be part of a team that recently clinched its fourth straight winning season. The Wildcats are 18-7, won an Eastern Missouri Conference title and earned the No. 2 seed in the Class 3, District 7 tournament. MCHS won over 70 games with two conference and two district titles during the seniors’ four years with the team.

“Obviously, the team’s success is great,” Rodgers said. “This year has been a really positive environment to be in. I’ve really got good connections with all of the guys and the coaches. They’re really fun to be around and I’ve really been able to enjoy this season. Obviously, the wins and everything are really nice bonuses. But if we were going to lose every game, it’s still a good group of guys. They’re good people and they’re fun to be around.”

Farmer credits head coach Scott Kroeger for the team’s success this season.

“Kroeger is definitely a great coach,” Farmer said. “He always makes us work hard and always teaches us all of the plays. He wants us to be great in what we do.”

Farmer has been playing basketball since he was 4. He joined the varsity in his junior year, when the Wildcats won 17 games and captured a district title.

“Basketball is what I practice all of the time,” said Farmer, who also plays baseball. “I’m here all of the time when I can be. I try to practice as much as I can to get better every day.”

Rodgers started playing basketball in his second grade, when he joined a youth league at Montgomery City Elementary School.

“Over half of my life I have been playing basketball, so it’s going to be weird once that final buzzer goes off in that last game,” Rodgers said.

Hartman also has been playing basketball since elementary school. He won a varsity spot in his sophomore year. He said his favorite moment of playing the Wildcats came in January, when they beat Hermann for the South Callaway Tournament title.

“It was crazy in the locker room,” Hartman said.

Next year, Hartman and Farmer will attend State Technical College, while Rodgers will head to State Fair Community College in Sedalia. Farmer said the Wildcats will continue to be successful after he and the two other seniors graduate in May.

“I think they’re going to do pretty good even without us here,” Farmer said.