The temperature in both Springfield, Massachusetts and Kettering, Ohio held firm in the mid-thirties as snow blanketed the frigid streets.
It was a stark contrast from the heat permeating inside of Blake Arena and Trent Arena as competition intensified for league teams competing in the Panini Hoophall Classic and the Beacon Orthopedics Flyin’ to the Hoop over the weekend.
The country’s top-ranked team, SPIRE Academy, kicked off its weekend with a 57-48 win over Sunrise Christian. SPIRE went plus-25 in the paint and parlayed 16 turnovers into 15 points in the win.
King Gibson led SPIRE with 18 points, four rebounds and five assists.
That set up a must-see matchup with No. 8 Brewster Academy.
In the end, SPIRE overwhelmed the Bobcats in the second half to secure the 60-47 win, turning 10 turnovers into 11 points and going plus-10 on the glass. Gibson again led SPIRE with 20 points.
It was the only blemish on Brewster’s record over the weekend, opening with a continuation of its hot streak from the previous weekend. In game one they escaped with a 59-57 win over No. 20 Faith Family Academy. The Bobcats were red hot from three, connecting on 10 of 15 (67 percent), five of which came from Darien Moore, a Seton Hall commit who finished with 19 points.
They took down Oak Hill Academy 69-60 in game two, swiping 11 steals and boasting four players in double figures.
No. 9 Montverde Academy had similar success, opening with an impressive 66-57 win over Oak Hill Academy by dominating the paint throughout. The Eagles went plus-34 in the lane and parlayed seven turnovers into 11 points while, Dhani Miller led the way with 15 points in the win.
The Eagles then fell to No. 7 Link Academy (64-59) before capping the weekend off with a 71-58 win over Long Island Lutheran.
No. 6 AZ Compass Prep won a 59-58 thriller over Long Island Lutheran, behind 16 points and 13 rebounds from DeMarcus Henry.
The Dragons were even more impressive in their 64-54 win over Link Academy, turning 10 turnovers into 11 points and holding the Lions to 24 percent from three. Kalek House, an Xavier signee, and Quincy Wadley led the Dragons with 15 points apiece in the win.
“This weekend was big for our guys at the Hoophall Classic,” AZ Compass Prep coach Pete Kaffey. “We knew defense had to be the key, and that’s exactly what carried us to two wins. Even when shots weren’t falling against LuHi, our physicality, gap defense and ability to limit second-chance points kept us in control. Against Link, the same mindset paid off again, this time with better shot-making, strong rebounding, disciplined transition defense and physical play against two elite guards.
“Our guys are getting better because they’re sharing the ball and playing together. These wins build our confidence and help position us for Chipotle Nationals. I’m extremely proud of this group.”
No. 17 Wasatch Academy rolled to a 72-57 win over Dream City Christian behind 20 points from Manu Manciel, a Stephen F. Austin commit, and Christ School rolled past Iowa United Prep 78-58 with 30 points from Trevor Manhertz.
Here’s a rundown of how teams fared over the weekend:
SPIRE Academy 2-0
AZ Compass Prep 2-0
Wasatch Academy 1-0
Christ School 1-0
Dream City Christian 1-1
Brewster Academy 2-1
Montverde Academy 2-1
Faith Family Academy 1-1
Link Academy 1-1
CATS Academy 1-1
Utah Prep 1-1
Iowa United Prep 1-1
Sunrise Christian Academy 0-2
La Lumiere School 0-1
Oak Hill Academy 0-2
Long Island Lutheran 0-2
Currently, 9 teams are ranked in the ESPN SCNext High School Top 25 for Week 8:
1. SPIRE Academy
4. CIA Bella Vista
6. AZ Compass Prep
7. Link Academy
8. Brewster Academy
9. Montverde Academy
10. La Lumiere School
17. Wasatch Academy
20. Faith Family Academy
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