2018 repeats as Aurora alumni champs

  • The Class of 2018’s Grant Moody waits patiently on the block as 2008-10’s Jarod Nitkiewicz goes flying by. For the second year in a row, the Class of 2018 won the Aurora alumni tournament.
    The Class of 2018’s Grant Moody waits patiently on the block as 2008-10’s Jarod Nitkiewicz goes flying by. For the second year in a row, the Class of 2018 won the Aurora alumni tournament.
  • Aurora’s Class of 2018 repeated as alumni basketball champions over the weekend. Team members include front row from left: Lukas Pohlmann, Grant Moody, Jarrett Havens, Jack Snoberger. Back row: Jayden Herzberg, Caden Schuster, Henry Penner, Cal Narber, Grant Bonifas.
    Aurora’s Class of 2018 repeated as alumni basketball champions over the weekend. Team members include front row from left: Lukas Pohlmann, Grant Moody, Jarrett Havens, Jack Snoberger. Back row: Jayden Herzberg, Caden Schuster, Henry Penner, Cal Narber, Grant Bonifas.

    by Richard Rhoden

    The Class of 2018 may have started a new dynasty.
    For the second year in a row, the Class of 2018 was crowned Aurora alumni champs, defeating the Class of 2008/10 in the finals 39-29 Sunday afternoon.
    Offense was tough going for 2008/10 early as 2018 pulled away with scores from five different players.
    Lukas Pohlmann scored the first points of the game on a triple before Henry Penner rattled off seven first-half points. Ben Peard tried to keep 2008/10 in it with four points, but trailed 2018 20-9 at the half.
    Despite 2008/10’s best efforts, getting the score inside 10 for a moment, Penner took over the game, scoring 12 second-half points, including an electrifying reverse dunk to put the cap on it.
    Both of Penner’s made three-point shots in the final were of 2019 grad Baylor Scheierman range. In fact, overheard on the 2008/10 bench during a timeout, “If he’s going to hit that, then we can’t do anything.”
    Penner led 2018 in the game with 19 points while Peard led 2008/10 with seven points.
    The three-point contest was won by 2007’s Tyler Jensen while 2022’s Preston Ramaekers was the runner-up.
    Tournament results
    Complete results for the tournament were as follows:
    n Game 1 -- 2011 defeated 2019, 46-39. Leading scorers were Tyson Broekemeier’s 18 for 2011 while Cade Reichardt had 17 for 2019.
    n Game 2 -- 2007 defeated 2012, 40-32. Leading scorers were Zach High’s 20 points for 2007 while David Schroeder had eight for 2012.
    n Game 3 -- 2000-2006 defeated 2015, 33-11. Cy Carlson had 11 for 2000-06 while Eliott Berthelson had six for 2015.
    n Game 4 -- 2016 defeated 2017/20, 44-39. Leading scorers included Aaron Vinkenberg with 12 for 2016 while Kade Moural had 20 for 2017/20.
    n Game 5 -- 2022 defeated 2013, 54-48. Leading scorers were Preston Ramaekers with 22 for 2022 while Cole Ashby and Blake Williams each had 11 for 2013.
    n Game 6 -- 2018 defeated 2011, 51-32. Leading scorers were Henry Penner's 31 for 2018 while Kaleb Shivley had 21 for 2011.
    n Game 7 -- 2008/10 defeated 2007, 35-14. Leading scorers were Ben Peard’s 11 for 2008-10 while Zach High had seven for 2007.
    n Game 8 -- 2021 defeated 2000-06. 35-14. Leading scorers included Cayden Phillips with 18 for 2021 while Casey Carlson and Victor Proctor each had five for 2000-06.
    n Game 9 -- 2022 defeated 2016, 37-17. Leading scorers were Preston Ramaekers with 14 for 2022 and Aaron Vinkenberg with 10 for 2016.
    n Game 10 -- 2013 defeated 2017/20, 51-37. Leading scorers were Cole Ashby and Blake Williams each with 11 for 2013 while Kaleb Moural had 15 for 2017/20.
    n Game 11 -- 2011 defeated 2015, 51-31. Leading scorers were Joel Ratzlaff’s 20 for 2011 while Aaron Vinkenberg had 15 for 2015.
    n Game 12 -- 2019 defeated 2007, 52-46. Leading scorers were Cade Reichardt with 18 for 2019 whileo Tyler Jensen had 14 for 2007.
    n Game 13 -- 2012 defeated 2000-06, 47-35. Leading scorers were David McDonald’s 16 for 2012 while Evan Jasnowski had 15 for 2000-06.
    n Game 14 -- 2013 defeated 2019, 34-14. Leading scorers were Ben Grossnicklaus with nine for 2013 while Titan Collazo and Seth Wonch each had four for 2019.
    n Game 15 -- 2012 defeated 2011, 52-33. Leading scorers were Mitch Oswald’s 15 for 2012 Kaleb Shively had 17 for 2011.
    n Game 16 -- 2008-10 defeated 2021, 43-38. Leading scorers were Jarod Nitkiewicz with 13 for 2008-10 while Cayden Phillips had 12 for 2021.
    n Game 17 -- 2018 defeated 2022, 59-38. Leading scorers were Henry Penner’s 23 for 2018 while Preston Ramaekers had 19 for 2022.
    n Game 18 -- 2012 defeated 2013, 45-33. Leading scorers were Mitch Oswald’s 17 for 2012 while Cole Ashby had 11 for 2013.
    n Game 19 -- 2018 defeated 2008-10, 39-29. Leading scorers were Henry Penner’s 19 points while Ben Peard had seven for 2008-10.