Record 56 teams play in Alex Bennett Memorial Tournament

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. — The Alex Bennett Memorial Basketball Tournament was played on Sunday at Mesa State College. A total of 56 teams (a new record) participated and 100 games were played. Action started at 8 a.m. Mesa State College players helped officiate the games and kept score.

The annual event honors the memory of Alex Bennett, a former Grand Junction High School student.

“This is a great way to kickoff the start of the winter sports season, while honoring the memory of a young man whose passion was basketball,” said tournament director Steve Irion.

Proceeds from the event go to scholarships at Mesa State College and area high school students in Bennett’s name. More than $15,000 has been awarded over the past four years.

Winners for the different age group include:

5/6 Boys

Badgers

Sydni Brandon

Ridge Droskin

Scott Nielsen

Ben Volkmann

5/6 Girls

Shooters

Amanda Etcheverry

Tyler Hays

Bailey Hicks

Makenzie Lange

7/8 Boys

Wildcats

Eli Combs

Kendall Crites

Brad Dempsey

Doran Wood

7/8 Girls

Explosion (3rd year in a row)

Hannah Mahnke

Mallery Paulson

Jenni Sneddon

9/10 Boys

Wildcats

Cade Chapin

Alex Jouflas

James Lewis

Tanner McKenzie

9/10 Girls

Eastside Ballers

Stephanie Drake

Julie Essman

Taylor Johnson

Joei Ritter

11/12 Boys

#1 Suspects

Sam Morgan

Everett Robinson

Kimani Robinson

Justin Trujillo

Open Men’s

The Uni-Ballers

Matt Dearth

Jaren Gallegos

Bjorn Irion

Sam Krey

Derek McCullough

Winners from the Hot Shot competitions and 3-point shooting contest include:

Hot Shot

Boys 8th grade and under: Jake Thornburg

Girls 8th grade and under: Sydni Brandon

Boys High School or Older: Tanner Crites

Girls High School or Older: Taylor Johnson

3-Point Contest

Boys 8th grade and under: Caleb Coleman

Boys High School or Older: David McFall

Girls High School or Older: Whitney Robison

Winners will be recognized at halftime of an MSC game over the Thanksgiving holiday. In addition, anyone who competed in the event will get free admission to an MSC game over the Thanksgiving holiday if they wear their “Bring It” shirt.