Sweet Sixteen Tournament Tips Off Saturday Morning

(KNSI) – Minnesota high school basketball has a Summer League of its own, taking place here in Stearns County.

Pacesetter Sports Director Jeff McCarron says he started the Sweet Sixteen tournament in 1990 to give fans matchups they can’t see any more during the MSHSL postseason. The four preseason favorites from each class are invited, and you are guaranteed to get ‘David vs. Goliath’ matchups early in the bracket. McCarron says the smaller schools have a fighter’s chance.

“Well, through the years we’ve had Litchfield win it when they had those good teams. Braham won it a couple of times when they had the Dahlman brothers playing. New London-Spicer won it one year, the year that they beat Minneapolis North during the season.”

McCarron says the tournament has a Hoosiers-like magic to it.

“I’ve always said it is the greatest gathering of Minnesota’s high school talent under one roof…in one day, for sure.”

Tickets are available at the door. The tournament begins at 8:30 Saturday morning. Four games will be played at a time. McCarron says the format uses quarters rather than halves and players get six personal fouls, instead of five.

Each team is coached by a parent or former player. McCarron says UConn standout Paige Bueckers was at last year’s tournament to support her alma mater, Hopkins.

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