NORTH AUGUSTA, S.C. — The highly anticipated battle between the top ranked prospects in the Class of 2025
Cooper Flagg and
Cameron Boozer lived up to expectations as a sold out gymnasium saw Maine United stun Nightrydas Elite 73-65 in the 16U contest Wednesday morning.
The first game of the day at the Nike EYBL Peach Jam had fans lined early before the 9 a.m. ET tip-off. Media row was filled with NBA scouts and former NBA all-star Carmelo Anthony also sat courtside to take in the matchup.
In a rematch of last year's 15U Nike EYBL Peach Jam quarterfinal contest — Nightrydas Elite blew past Maine United 79-36 in that one —
Ace Flagg was the unsung hero in Wednesday's eight-point victory, finishing with 22 points and 11 rebounds on 9-of-13 from the field before fouling out with one minute remaining.
No. 2 ranked Class of 2025 prospect Cooper Flagg helped Maine United slip past Nightrydas Elite 73-65 on Wednesday at the EYBL Peach Jam. (Photo: Catalina Fragoso)
Ace Flagg provided a spark on both ends of the court for Maine United, drawing multiple charges on the defensive end and knocking down his only 3-point attempt of the contest.
Cooper Flagg, the No. 2 ranked prospect in the Class of 2025, shot 7-of-18 from the field and 1-of-6 from 3-point range, but his impact spread across the box score as he finished with 21 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists, two steals and two blocks while deterring Boozer around the basket.
Boozer, the top-ranked prospect in his class, struggled to score efficiently in the loss, finishing with 22 points, 12 rebounds and two blocks on 8-of-24 from the field and 2-of-7 from 3-point range.
Dante Allen also contributed 17 points and four rebounds on 6-of-14 shooting in the loss.
Along with the Flagg brothers,
Landon Clark stepped up, shooting 6-of-11 from the field and 5-of-8 from 3-point range to finish with 19 points and three rebounds. Maine United is in prime position to advance to the knockout
round after moving to 2-0 in pool play following the
biggest upset of the summer.
Nightrydas Elite 16U lost for the second time this season on the Nike EYBL circuit and it's the third loss over the past two summers. Led by the Boozer brothers, the defending Nike EYBL 15U Peach Jam champions look to bounce back to win their second consecutive Peach Jam title after dropping to 2-1 in pool play.
