Previewing the Breakdown Crossover Classic

Grant McGinnis January 13, 2022 @ 10:55 AM

Next year at this time she’ll being playing in front of packed houses at South Dakota State University. This weekend Ellie Colbeck Ellie Colbeck 5'9" | PG Fergus Falls | 2022 State MN will be one of the star attractions at the Breakdown Crossover Classic in Perham where her Fergus Falls Otters will be one of six girls teams on hand. Here’s a rundown on the teams, match-ups and players to watch.

12:45 p.m. – Sartell-St. Stephen vs Detroit Lakes

Sartell-St. Stephen has put together a very impressive season to date. Coach Katie Martin has the Sabres playing fast and fierce. The press, they trap, they sprint – a combination many opponents have been overwhelmed by. Sartell is led by a trio of really good juniors, including the gritty Emily Crandall Emily Crandall 5'10" | CG Sartell | 2023 State MN , speedster Chloe Turner Chloe Turner 5'5" | SG Sartell | 2023 State MN and floor general Avery Templin Avery Templin 5'8" | PG Sartell | 2023 State MN . Senior guard Megan Driste is a big part of the Sabres’ attack, as well.

While the Sabres have speed and quickness the Lakers offer up size and experience. Detroit Lakes is built around three veteran leaders: Abby Larson, Alex Bettcher Alex Bettcher 6'1" | PF Detroit Lakes | 2022 State MN and Jacee Hauser. Larson is a versatile guard who runs the Lakers’ offense from the point and is a very scrappy defender. Bettcher is 6-foot power forward with plenty of length who can really defend. Hauser is a gym rat, a 5’11 guard who is a lights-out shooter. They’ll have success if they put their athleticism and grit to good use.

3:45 p.m. – Hawley vs Henning

Double trouble. That’s what the Hawley Nuggets bring to the floor. That’s because twins Kylie Crabtree Kylie Crabtree 5'8" | CG Hawley | 2022 State MN and Kaylie Crabtree Kaylie Crabtree 5'8" | CG Hawley | 2022 State MN are a two-headed monster for other teams to guard. The senior sisters, who have committed to play college basketball at Montana State-Billings, are skilled, they’re quick and they can shoot it. Longtime coach Bill Gottenborg will also rely on 5’10 forward Anna Steer, whose court vision and passing ability are key to the Nuggets attack.

The Henning Hornets faced a daunting task this season as coach Mike Hepola’s team graduated over 4,200 career points from its lineup. Of course the bulk of those points (2,248) belonged to longtime leader Ellie Dague, who graduated last spring and is now at North Dakota State University. So far the Hornets have exceeded expectations and are off to a nice start. Henning is led by junior guards Ally Hart and Faith Fisher. The team’s strength is turning pressure defense into transition offense.

7:00 p.m. – Fergus Falls vs Perham

With South Dakota State commit Ellie Colbeck Ellie Colbeck 5'9" | PG Fergus Falls | 2022 State MN running the show, the Fergus Falls Otters are a handful for any and all opponents. Coach Josh Steer’s high-flying squad includes not only Colbeck’s vast array of D1-level skills but another college-bound standout in senior guard Tori Ratz Tori Ratz 5'7" | CG Fergus Falls | 2022 State MN , who has committed to MSU-Moorhead. The elite shooter and all-around performer has been a starter since 8th grade. In the middle is senior post Anna Polejewski. Fergus Falls is a perennial state tournament contender.

Besides home court advantage, the Perham Yellowjackets will bring plenty of assets to this contest. Coach T.J. Super’s squad is led by some solid veterans along with Top 50 sophomore Willow Thiel Willow Thiel 5'11" | PF Perham | 2024 State MN . The big forward is a walking double-double who is having a breakout season. She’s joined by senior sharpshooter Sydney Anderson Sydney Anderson 5'6" | SG Perham | 2022 State MN , a versatile guard who can really fire it. Senior guard Greta Hillukka has battled injuries over the past couple of seasons but is a big contributor when she’s healthy. Unfortunately point guard Mya Morris Mya Morris 5'7" | PG Perham | 2023 State MN is still rehabbing a major knee injury. She’s a player to watch in the future.

Top photo: Tory Ratz, Anna Polejewski and Ellie Colbeck Ellie Colbeck 5'9" | PG Fergus Falls | 2022 State MN of Fergus Falls. (Photo courtesy of Breakdown Sports)