Nation's top-rated sophomore goes for career high, leading Lincoln (Ypsilanti, Mich.) to a back-and-forth win over Chelsea.
Video: Emoni Bates highlights
Watch the nation's top-rated sophomore in action this season.
The nation's top-ranked sophomore
Emoni Bates put on a performances for the ages Wednesday night, erupting for 63 points and 21 rebounds in a 108-102 double-overtime win for
Lincoln (Ypsilanti, Mich.) over Chelsea.
Bates, who is widely regarded as the country's top prospect regardless of class, set a new career high in the spectacular performance, willing his team to the big win.
The 6-foot-9 wing already landed on the cover of Sports Illustrated, with a story titled "Magic, Michael, LeBron ... Emoni Bates? Meet the 15-Year-Old Next In Line."
Bates has also drawn comparisons to Kevin Durant for his sweet shooting touch, elite scoring ability and unique length on the wing.
Wednesday he lived up all that hype and more, as the 16-year-old was unstoppable in every way for the Railsplitters, connecting on 22 of 39 shots from the field and 16 of 23 from the line. He scored nine in the second overtime and clinched things with five free throws. Lucas Hanifan had 26 points for Chelsea.
In April, Bates was named
MaxPreps National Freshman of the Year, averaging 28.5 points and 10.2 rebounds per game while leading Lincoln to its first state championship.
Bates
scored 31 points and grabbed 14 rebounds in Michigan's Division 1
semifinals, then pumped in a game-high 23 points in the state
championship.
This season, the sophomore sensation averages over 30 points per contest, leading Lincoln to a 14-2 record on the season.
Time will tell what Bates may accomplish at the next level, however, with over 1,000 career points, a state title and a 63-point performance mid-way through his sophomore campaign — Bates is on track for a special high school career.
Emoni Bates in action last month against Edison Academy.
File photo by Scott Hasse
