By Jacob Heid

STEVENS POINT — It is that time of year again when high school basketball teams travel around the state for notable holiday break tournaments. The 2022 Sentry Classic, held at UWSP’s Quandt Fieldhouse, has every local team playing in the tournament except for the Rosholt boys’ and girls’ teams and the Almond-Bancroft girls’ basketball team. Here is everything you need to know. 

Amherst girls’ basketball team

Amherst opens up the tournament with the first game on Dec. 28 at noon. The Falcons come into the holiday break with a record of 5-4 (2-2). They play Edgar in their first game and will play Pacelli in the second and final game on Dec. 30 at 2:30 p.m. 

Pacelli girls’ basketball team 

The Cardinals have had success early in the conference season so far. Pacelli is a perfect 3-0 in the CWC-South, currently sitting at 4-4 overall. The Cardinals have a chance to win two non-conference games this week. They will play in the second tournament game, matching up with Columbus Catholic on Dec. 28 at 1:45 p.m. Pacelli plays Amherst as listed above. 

SPASH girls’ basketball 

The Panthers look like a top team in the WVC after the first three conference games. Sitting at 3-0, SPASH has also been successful in its non-conference slate. With three out-of-conference wins, they can get even more as they start the classic on Dec. 28 at 5:15 p.m. SPASH plays Greenfield in the first game and will play Fond Du Lac on Dec. 29 at 5:15 p.m. again. 

Amherst boys’ basketball 

Amherst came into the year with multiple impactful returners. Senior Tyler Soulsby was a notable returning scorer but has dealt with a shoulder injury that held him out in the last five contests. Aiden Jastromski moved into a bigger role in Soulsby’s absence. The Falcons play a tough first game on Dec. 29 against a challenging Almond-Bancroft team at 3:30 p.m. They don’t escape tough opponents in the tournament, turning around to play an athletic Pacelli team on Dec. 30 at 6 p.m.

Almond-Bancroft boys’ basketball 

After winning their conference last year, the Eagles are back and ready to defend. Almond-Bancroft has scorers on all levels and uses its length to create turnovers defensively. That duo makes it hard to play with them.

The Eagles will look to go 2-0 against Amherst as listed above, and Assumption on Dec. 30 at 12:45 p.m.

Pacelli boys’ basketball 

Another highly-praised offensive team from the CWC-South comes into the tournament with an undefeated conference record. The Cardinals have Jaydon Awe, a matchup nightmare against most teams. Combine that with guards Camden Schurk and Logan Mayer, a 2-0 week isn’t out of the question. All three average double-digits for head coach John Schurk. 

Pacelli plays Assumption on Dec. 28 at 7 p.m. and against Amherst as listed above. 

SPASH boys’ basketball 

SPASH is coming off of a loss to D.C. Everest but will try to regroup at Quandt Fieldhouse. The Panthers sit at 2-4 (1-1) on the year, looking to find a consistent stretch heading back into conference play. A two-game stretch with Stoughton on Dec. 29 at 7 p.m. and Eau Claire North on Dec. 30 at 7:45 p.m. can give the team much-needed momentum. 

All games are on UWSP’s campus at Quandt Fieldhouse. Tickets are available at the door, $6 for adults and $4 for students (high school and younger.)