Brock Ranlett '21 scored 25 points and grabbed 15 rebounds (both season highs) to lead Brother Martin to a 78-60 victory over A.J. Ellender on Monday in the third place game at the Sunkist Shootout.

"We started the game very slowly.  We looked tired and had the look of a team that was not ready to compete.  It is hard to get excited to play a consolation game when your goal is to be in the championship game, but at some point, your competitive edge kicks in and you need to compete.  Brock Ranlett and Davonn Moore '20 (15 points, 6 assists) provided us with the energy we were lacking.  TJ Small (team captain) provided us with the leadership that we needed," said Coach Chris Biehl.

The Crusaders shot just 41% in the first half, and the team had already given up 31 points, a season-high.  The team settled in the third period and outscored the Patriots, 21 to 12.  TJ Small '20 finished the game with 21 points and 9 rebounds.  Freshman Corey Skillman finished with 8 points, and Grant Delord '21 had 4 points and 5 assists.

The Crusaders earned recognition for their third-place finish in the 16-team tournament.   "It is not the finish that we wanted, but considering the level of talent at this year's Sunkist, we should leave with our heads high and learn where we need to improve."

Senior TJ Small was named to the All-Tournament Team.  He finished the tournament with 64 points and 27 rebounds.  Davonn Moore finished with 20 assists, and Corey Skillman finished the tournament with a 69% three-point field goal average (11 of 16 shooting).

The Crusaders (15 - 2) will play again on Thursday at 6:30 in the first round of the Crusader Invitational when they play Vandebilt Catholic in Brother Martin's Conlin Gym.