MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – The Apprentice School men’s basketball team went 2-0 in the Cruzin’ Classic this week, taking down third-ranked Atlantis Tuesday before routing Florida Palms on Wednesday.

Tuesday, the USCAA sixth-ranked Builders jumped out to an early lead before Atlantis raced back to take the lead midway through the first half. Apprentice (7-5 overall, 3-0 NSAC) would use an 11-0 run to retake the lead and take it to halftime, up 33-29. In the second half, the Builders pulled away early, leading by as many as 15 and held on to knock off the No. 3 team in the national coaches poll by a final score of 73-60.

Wednesday, Apprentice found themselves in a tight game at halftime, leading 38-37, before clamping down the defense in the second half and sprinting away with an 86-59 win over Florida Palms.

Shawn Eley averaged 23.5 points and 6.5 rebounds per outing in the tournament to lead the way for Apprentice, while Karree Smith put up 16.5 points per game. Against Florida Palms, Jayden Eason, Adrion Wall and Clifton Goode put up double figures as well.

The Builders will now rest through the holiday break before retaking the floor in 2023 against Appalachian Bible at home on January 6 at 7 p.m.

Story courtesy gobuilders.com