The Becker boys basketball team will be participating in the 2014 Breakdown Granite City Classic tournament, Dec. 26-27 at St. Cloud Apollo and St. Cloud State.

 

The scripted two-day showcase features 14 games between top teams from around the state of Minnesota — highlighted by a battle between the top two teams in the Class AAAA polls.

 

Breakdown Sports USA has pulled together a terrific lineup that is highlighted by No. 1 Apple Valley and its stable of young guns such as Gary Trent, Jr., Brock Bertram, Tre Jones, Cam Kirksey and more against a quick and experienced Champlin Park team, currently ranked No. 2. The Rebels have been climbing the rankings with an explosive group of athletes led by J.T. Gibson, McKinley Wright, Marty Hill, Jeremy Johnson, and Theo John.

 

Breakdown Sports USA has set the top two-ranked teams against each other in the finale on Saturday night at St. Cloud State’s Halenbeck Hall, but they also have plenty of other great teams including No. 6-ranked Maple Grove — with a terrific sophomore back court trio of Brad Davison, Jack Hutchison, and Tywhon Pickford along with junior post Reed Nikko.

 

Becker is much improved and they feature their versatile scorer Michael Veldman. Rogers is also featured with big MSU-Moorhead center Cole Murray and point guard Gunnar Bloom. Rocori’s balanced group anchored by Cole Field, Austin Overman, Connor Schoborg, and 6-foot-6 power forward Derek Thompson. Big Lake has guard Sam Jochum, Providence Academy’s guard and wing combos features Riley Loew, Dominic Miller and Matt Richelsen.

 

Roseville is another top team with UM-Crookston bound point guard Kobe Critchley. Monticello has athletic  stars Tyler Frie and Matt Grathwohl. Albany’s high-scoring back court duo of Nick Raeker and Kyle Birr.  St. Francis with tough-guy center Blake Moreno. St. Cloud Apollo with its own great big man in Ethan Novacinski and Sartell-St. Stephen with deadly three-point shooter Brandon Snoberger.

 

Below is the schedule of games for the two-day event.

 

11 a.m. — Rogers vs. Rocori; 12:30 p.m. — Big Lake vs. Providence Academy; 2:15 p.m. — Champlin Park vs. Roseville; 3:45 p.m. — Monticello vs. Albany; 5:30 p.m. Becker vs. St. Francis; 7 p.m. — St. Cloud Apollo vs. Sartell-St. Stephen; 8:30 p.m. — Maple Grove vs. Apple Valley.

 

11 a.m. — Roseville vs. St. Francis;  12:30 p.m. Rocori vs. Becker; 2:15 p.m. — Rogers vs. Maple Grove; 3:45 p.m. — Sartell-St. Stephen vs. Big Lake; 5:30 p.m. — Albany vs. Providence Academy; 7 p.m. — Monticello vs. St. Cloud Apollo; 8:30 p.m. — Apple Valley vs. Champlin Park.

 

Breakdown Sports took over the sponsorship of the original Granite City Classic tournament a few years ago and seeks to match teams from the St. Cloud area against other state powers for all to enjoy. The tournament is annually held at the end of December.

 

Breakdown Sports USA and their annual publications are Minnesota's No. 1 resource for players, coaches, fans and sports enthusiasts. They are a full-service high school sports company, offering season preview publications, in-season premier events, off-season leagues, great photography and an extensive website with news and notes.

 

Breakdown Sports USA is in their 11th year of covering boys’ and girls’ basketball and fifth in girls’ volleyball and boys’ hockey. The goal of Breakdown Sports USA is simple: They want to offer players, coaches and fans a complete sports resource and experience that they will never forget.