The St. Thomas Aquinas Raiders boys basketball team came into this season determined. So far, that determination is showing. The Raiders won three games in three days to win the 2024 Kreul Classic and pick up their first of what they hope to be several trophies this season.
STA dispatched Notre Dame Prep (CT) 63-46 in the quarterfinal, led by 19 points from sophomore guard KJ Sandi. In the semifinal, it was another sophomore guard that led the way. In a 64-55 win over St. Francis Prep (NY), CJ Westbrook had 17 points to lead the team.
In the championship game, with a trophy on the line, the squad delivered. The Raiders defeated their third straight out of state opponent, North Mecklenburg (NC), 60-51 to lift the trophy. Junior guard DJ Sandi was named tournament MVP as he carried the Raiders on both ends of the floor all tournament long.
