High school basketball: Cameron Boozer helps No. 1 Columbus blow past No. 4 Grayson 85-48 in City of Palms Classic quarterfinals

FORT MYERS, Fla. — Top-ranked Columbus (Miami, Fla.) made a statement in the City of Palms Classic quarterfinals, blowing past No. 4 Grayson (Loganville, Ga.) 85-48 behind five-star Duke signee Cameron Boozer, who piled up 22 points – 18 in the first half – and nine rebounds.

Boozer came out possessed from the opening tip as he scored the first eight points of the game to help Columbus jump to a 10-0 lead at the 4:39 mark of the first quarter.

The Explorers would go on to extend their lead to 25-8 after the first quarter and 46-23 at the half. Columbus continued to pour it on in the third period as it scored the first four points of the second half, extending the advantage to 73-36 after the third period.

Boozer and the rest of the Columbus starters sat out the entire fourth quarter.

Joining Boozer in double figures for the Explorers were Jaxon Richardson (17 points), five-star junior Caleb Gaskins (14 points, 8 rebounds, 4 steals) and senior guard Cello Jackson (10 points, 3 assists).

The Sunshine State powerhouse dominated in all facets of the box score, shooting 63.5 percent from the field vs. 34.0 percent for Grayson. The Explorers also forced three more turnovers, grabbed 13 more rebounds and won the points in the paint battle 46-22.

Columbus (10-1) advances to tomorrow's semifinals where it will face the winner of La Lumiere (La Porte, Ind.) vs. IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.) in the nightcap at 9 p.m.

After a hot start to the season that included a 96-55 victory over Central Catholic (Portland, Ore.) in the first round of the event on Wednesday, Grayson dropped to 9-1 on the season. The Rams face the loser of the La Lumiere-IMG Academy game tomorrow at 2:30 p.m. in the fifth-place semifinal.

The other City of Palms Classic semifinal showdown in the 16-team Traditional bracket will feature No. 7 Oak Ridge (Orlando, Fla.) vs. Montverde Academy (Montverde, Fla.) tomorrow night at 7 p.m.

Both semifinal contests tomorrow will be streamed live by LeagueReady via YouTube.