Even scattered in four different locations around the country, league teams brought a cohesive level of intensity to produce uber competitive games at the Bojangles Bash, the Main Event, the National High School Hoopfest and the Emirates NBA Cup events.
No. 3 Link Academy was one of a handful of teams that went through the weekend unblemished, catapulting out of the gate in its opener against No. 12 Long Island Lutheran and blitzing the Crusaders in a 75-53 win.
The Lions pumped in 38 points in the paint and got 15 points off the bench to tactically dismantle the Crusaders. Carlos Medlock Jr., a Michigan State signee, led four players in double figures with 18 points in the win.
“We just work super hard in practice every day and the chemistry comes from that,” Link wing Luca Foster, a Gonzaga signee said. “We all love each other as teammates and friends; it’s more than basketball for us so our chemistry just keeps getting better every game. I think we’re the best team in the country.”
No. 4 CIA Bella Vista could’ve taken a similar stance after its 82-53 romping of The St. James at the National HS Hoopfest on Saturday.
The Bears got a major 36-point lift from their bench and went plus-18 in the paint to open up what proved to me an insurmountable lead. Miles Sadler, a West Virginia signee, led the way with 18 points for the Bears while Liam Mitakaro added 15 points in the win.
No. 8 Brewster Academy came out with infectious energy in its season opener against Sunrise Christian Academy in Las Vegas.
The Bobcats smothered The Buffaloes down the stretch, swiping 17 steals and turning 20 turnovers into 18 points to secure the 61-54 win.
Marcus Kerr (18 points, five rebounds, three assists, two steals) and Antonion Pemberton (18 points, five assists, three steals) led the way for Brewster in the win.
The Bobcats weren’t as sharp in game two, falling to No. 5 AZ Compass Prep 67-55.
The House twins, Kalek, a Xavier signee, and Kaden, a Maryland signee, combined for 38 points, 17 rebounds, five assists and three steals to lead the Dragons.
Montverde Academy snagged its first league win of the season, pulling it out 61-51 over CATS Academy at the Bojangles Bash, and Faith Family Academy fought back against No. 18 Oak Hill Academy in the second half to pull out a 75-70 win at the National HS Hoopfest.
Gallagher Placide, a Wake Forest signee, and Josiah Rose were stellar for Faith Family with 22 points apiece.
Tennessee Collegiate also picked up its first league win, a 64-61 barnburner over Iowa Prep United.
Here’s a rundown of how teams fared over the weekend:
Brewster Academy 1-1
Sunrise Christian 1-1
Long Island Lutheran 0-2
Link Academy 1-0
Montverde Academy 1-0
CATS Academy 0-1
Faith Family Academy 1-0
Oak Hill Academy 0-1
CIA Bella Vista 1-0
The St. James 0-1
Spire Academy 1-0
Christ School 0-1
Tennessee Collegiate 1-0
Iowa Prep United 0-1
AZ Compass 1-0
Currently, 10 teams are ranked in the ESPN SCNext High School Top 25 for Week 3:
3. Link Academy
4. CIA Bella Vitsa
5. AZ Compass Prep
8. Brewster Academy
10. La Lumiere School
11. Spire Academy
12. Long Island Lutheran
18. Oak Hill Academy
21. Wasatch Academy
25. Dream City Christian
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