6. (8) Grace Prep (Arlington, Texas) (9-2)Less than a week after beating Prestonwood Christian by 15 points, Grace Prep struggled against the same team in the City of Palms final. The trip to Fort Myers still has to be considered a success for the Lions, who's only other loss came against Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.).
Elijah Brown, Mater Dei
Photo by Jim Redman
The Monarchs will return to Orange County bitterly disappointed about not bringing home the City of Palms title. But bouncing back from a loss to No. 6 Grace Prep with wins over St. Raymond (Bronx, N.Y.) and No. 16 Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas, Nev.) was impressive. Head coach Gary McKnight notched his 900th victory on the final day of the event against Gorman.
8. (11) Loyola (Los Angeles, Calif.) (8-0)The Cubs will be looking for their third tournament crown of the season next week at the Father George National Jesuit Christmas Classic in Maryland. Loyola opens with Bellarmine Prep (Tacoma, Wash.) in first-round play Dec. 28.
9. (12) Chester (Pa.) (4-0)The Clippers close out their pre-Christmas slate with a game against Newark (Del.) tonight.
10. (13) Gonzaga (Washington, D.C.) (6-0)The Eagles head into the holidays feeling good after opening Washington Catholic Athletic Conference play with a 68-46 win over Bishop McNamara (Forestville, Md.), getting a team-high 17 points from recent North Carolina commitment
Nate Britt.
