High school basketball: No. 1 Sunrise Christian Academy hands No. 2 Link Academy first defeat 74-65 to secure top seed in GEICO Nationals

In a late-season clash of top-ranked teams, No. 1 Sunrise Christian Academy (Bel Aire, Kan.) defeated No. 2 Link Academy (Branson, Mo.) 74-65 at the Heartland Hoops Classic in Grand Island, Neb., on Friday night. The loss was the first of the season for the Lions, who entered the contest 26-0.

Sunrise Christian Academy used a late surge to pull away after a tightly contested battle saw the Lions slowly chip away through the second and third quarters at the top-ranked Buffaloes' lead.

Sunrise Christian Academy jumped out to a fast start, leading 21-13 at the end of the first quarter and extending its lead to 12 points early in the second period. Link Academy rallied before half behind a personal 5-0 run from Michigan signee Tarris Reed Jr., to cut the Buffaloes lead to 31-27. The Lions won the second quarter 17-14 to cut the deficit to 35-30 at intermission.

A bit of sloppy play from both teams in the third quarter saw Link Academy cut its deficit to 48-44 entering the final quarter.

Four-star junior Layden Blocker made some big plays down the stretch, while a big 3-pointer from Kansas signee Gradey Dick seemed to seal the deal with around three minutes to go, extending the Buffaloes lead to 63-52 .

The Buffaloes were led by a balanced offensive effort as Duke pledge Mark Mitchell finished with a game-high 23 points, Dick chipped in 16 and juniors Scotty Middleton (13) and Blocker (11) each finished in double figures. Reed Jr. had a team-high 22 points for Link Academy in the loss, while Arkansas signee Jordan Walsh contributed 16 for the Lions.

While the game had major national rankings implications, it also was a battle for regional bragging rights as first-year program Link Academy looks to challenge Sunrise Christian Academy as the team to beat in the Midwest.

Sunrise Christian Academy (22-1) essentially guarantees its spot as the top seed in GEICO Nationals after putting a bow on their NIBC title with a victory over the only unbeaten team remaining in the National Top 20. The Buffaloes have three games remaining in regular season play, traveling to the Dr. Pepper Classic in Chattanooga, Tenn. next weekend.

Link Academy faces another ranked opponent tomorrow at the event, taking on No. 11 Wasatch Academy (Mt. Pleasant, Utah at 7:15 p.m. (CT).