ST. CLOUD APOLLO WENT UP AGAINST MONTICELLO IN A BOYS’ BASKETBALL GAME

St. Cloud Apollo and Monticello squared off in a boys’ basketball game as part of the Breakdown Sports USA Granite City Classic.

It took a while for each team to get into the game. Monticello pushed the ball down the floor and got everyone involved in the offense.

Monticello passed the ball around the 3-point line as they worked on getting everyone involved in the offense.

There were several ties and lead changes throughout the first half. Neither team went on a run.

The defensive pressure that both teams applied made it difficult for the other team to take open shots at the basket.

Apollo called a timeout with 5:32 in the first half.  The score was Apollo 14, Monticello 12.

Monticello used a zone defense in the first half.

The score went back and forth late in the first half.

At halftime, the score was Apollo 23, Monticello 20.

St. Cloud Apollo guard Abdihakim Sukri was all over the floor. On the offensive end Sukri could get his teammates the ball in spots where they could shoot it. Sukri was also able to make mid-range jump shots and layups.

Apollo kept on attacking the basket throughout the second half. They shared the ball well and came up with stops on the defensive end of the floor.

Apollo came up with stops on the defensive end. Monticello struggled to shoot the ball in the second half.

Monticello called a timeout with 12:47 left in regulation. The score was Apollo 33, Monticello 21.

Apollo kept on getting everyone involved in the offense. They passed the ball around to each other and talked to each other on both ends of the floor.

Monticello went into a scoring drought in the second half. They were not able to hit shots. Even though they struggled to make shots they kept on shooting the ball.

Apollo called a timeout with 7:58 left to go in regulation. The score was Apollo 44, Monticello 33.

Monticello came up with steals on defense and turned them into points on offense. On the defensive end, Monticello looked to trap Apollo as soon as they crossed half court.

Apollo called a timeout with 4:15 left in regulation. The score was Apollo 49, Monticello 40.

Monticello attacked the basket late in regulation and could come up with layups and mid-range jump shots.

Both teams played well throughout the game. The game came down to the wire.

Monticello called a timeout with 56.5 left in regulation. The score was tied at 56.

The score went back and forth in the last minute of the game.

St. Cloud Apollo came away with the 64-63 victory over Monticello.

Monticello was lead in scoring by Todd with 24 points.

Apollo was lead in scoring by Edwards with 16 points.