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(TC GORDON | THE GRAHAM LEADER) Steers sophomore Bryce Marin leans back to set up a shot over Snyder players during the Breckenridge tournament held from Thursday, Dec. 5 through Saturday, Dec. 7. -
(TC GORDON | THE GRAHAM LEADER) Nikolas Wankowicz dodges defenders to make a play in the Breckenridge tournament held from Thursday, Dec. 5 through Saturday, Dec. 7. The Steers finished 3-2 in the tournament. -
(TC GORDON | THE GRAHAM LEADER) Tyler Allen of the Steers races past Snyder defenders to set up a shot during the Breckenridge tournament last week. The Steers won 36-23 over Snyder and finished 3-2 in the tournament.
It was a weekend full of good competition for the Graham Steers at the Breckenridge tournament, where the team finished with a 3-2 record overall and a couple of great wins.
The team continues to play well, as players progress in their knowledge of the game, Graham’s system and how to best work as a team. Listed below are the results of each game from the weekend with scoring stats and a small write-up of each contest.
Steers v. Hawley (W), 42-39
Graham started out the tournament with a come-from-behind win on a last-second 3-pointer from Jagger Nees. Heading into the fourth quarter, the Steers trailed 35-25, but the offense and defense worked together to turn things around.
Hawley only scored four points the entire final period while Graham put up 17 points, including Nees’ game-winner. It was a strong performance for the team, especially given the early adversity through the first few quarters.
Bryce Martin finished as the leading scorer with 12 points followed by Brodie Martin with 10 points. Nees ended the game with 8 points thanks to another 3-pointer in that fourth quarter, and Cooper Wilde added 4 points.
Steers v. Snyder (W), 36-23
Graham’s second game of the day felt like a defensive battle between both sides. The Steers led just 17-10 at halftime, but their offense picked up in the third quarter and the team had done more than enough to hold onto the victory.
Snyder struggled to get much going against Graham’s defense, with most of the Tigers’ points coming in the fourth quarter. While the Steers’ offense couldn’t find a great rhythm all game, the team kept the lead the entire time.
Nikolas Wankowicz led the Steers in scoring with 11 points followed by Bryce Martin with 9 points, Obed Trejo with 5 points and Tyler Allen who finished with 4 points.
Steers v. Clyde (L), 44-35
Graham’s final game of pool play brought the team’s first loss of the weekend tournament. The Steers had difficulties containing the Bulldogs’ offense at times during the match-up, and Graham’s offense wasn’t enough to get in front for the win.
The teams were tied 19-19 at halftime as the Steers were led offensively by Brodie Martin and Nees. But the second half is where Clyde picked things up and Graham slowed down a touch. The Bulldogs scored 15 points in the third quarter to the Steers’ seven, which kept Clyde ahead.
Brodie Martin finished the game as Graham’s leading scorer with 12 points, with Nees contributing 9 points on three 3-pointers. Bryce Martin pitched in 6 points, Wankowicz added 4 points while Jaden Neal and Tyler Allen scored 2 points apiece.
Steers v. Cisco (W), 46-42
In Graham’s first game of bracket play Saturday, the Steers hung on for a close victory against the Loboes.
Cisco held a lead at halftime 22-19 as Graham struggled to find consistent offense in the first half. Meanwhile, the Loboes lit up from behind the arc as they made five 3-pointers in the first two quarters.
But in the second half, the Steers did a better job holding Cisco’s shooters in check while doing some heating up of their own offensively. Trejo had a couple of second half 3-pointers while the team was more aggressive scoring inside and getting to the free throw line.
Ultimately, Graham held on for the win to move forward in the tournament. Brodie Martin was the leading scorer with 15 points followed by his brother Bryce Martin with 11 points. Trejo contributed 8 points while Allen and Wankowicz scored 4 points each.
Steers v. Jim Ned (L), 63-16
Graham ran into trouble in their match-up with the Jim Ned Indians, who looked the part of a near unbeatable team. The Indians brought an efficient offense that scored inside and out, while the Steers struggled to do much scoring.
The Steers did most of their scoring in the first quarter, but couldn’t connect on anything beyond the arc all game. It was a tough loss but a measuring stick for this young Graham squad against a strong opponent.
Brodie Martin led with 8 points while Bryce Martin, Neal, Trejo and Wankowicz scored 2 points each.
Following their game Tuesday, Dec. 10 at Henrietta, the Steers will return home to host their Red, White & Blue Tournament over the weekend of Thursday, Dec. 12 through Saturday, Dec. 14.
