Cancer Research Classic: La Lumiere makes case for No. 1 ranking in high school basketball

Just like in Fort Myers, Fla., last month, No. 1 McEachern (Powder Springs, Ga.) took down No. 10 Imhotep Charter (Philadelphia) – this time 62-58 despite trailing by 15 at the half.

The Indians used a 25-11 third quarter to cut the deficit to one point entering the final period of play behind a stellar second-half performance from their star tandem of Sharife Cooper and Isaac Okoro.

Okoro, a 6-foot-5 wing headed to Auburn, has established himself as one of the best and most versatile defenders in the nation. He solidified that reputation Saturday with future head coach Bruce Pearl looking on.

Cooper provided the spark on offense, scoring 20 points in the second half and finishing with 25.

Though McEachern (12-0) picked up a pair of quality wins in Wheeling, the most well-rounded team at the event was No. 2 La Lumiere (LaPorte, Ind.).

The Lakers (16-0) dominated No. 3 Montverde Academy (Montverde, Fla.) 64-51, getting their second win over Kevin Boyle's team in just over two weeks.

Under-the-radar point guard Wendell Green Jr. was the catalyst for La Lumiere, teasing a triple-double with nine assists, eight points, eight rebounds and three steals.

In Saturday's opener, junior Ethan Morton of Butler (Pa.) piled up 29 points, 15 assists (a Cancer Research Classic record) and nine rebounds in a win over Wheeling Central Catholic (Wheeling, W.Va.).

Sunrise Christian Academy (Bel Aire, Kan.) made a statement in a major way, annihilating Findlay Prep (Henderson, Nev.) 63-32. The Buffaloes left West Virginia 2-0 after a win over Imhotep Charter on Friday.

The Washington Catholic Athletic Conference was also a big winner Saturday as Gonzaga (Washington, D.C.) upset No. 12 Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas, Nev.) 56-50 and No. 6 DeMatha (Hyattsville, Md.) knocked off Norcross (Ga.) 70-67.