IMG Academy (20-3), which was without Alabama signee
Jaden Bradley with a broken toe, dropped to 7-3 in the NIBC. The Ascenders fell to Sunrise Christian Academy for the second time this season after a 68-62 defeat on Dec. 2.
On Saturday, Sunrise Christian Academy (20-1) flipped the momentum in the third quarter, using back-to-back
charges on the defensive end to spark a 9-0 run after a pair of
3-pointers from Kansas signee
Gradey Dick and four-star junior
Layden Blocker cut the deficit to 34-33
After a
pair of baskets from Houston signee
Jarace Walker extended IMG's lead back
to five, the Buffaloes responded with a 13-0 run that
spanned from the final minutes of the third quarter into the opening
minutes of the final frame.
The Buffaloes run included consecutive left-corner 3-pointers from top 50 junior
Scotty Middleton and Blocker before Gradey Dick knocked down a deep 3-pointer to give Sunrise Christian Academy a 42-38 lead after three quarters.
The onslaught continued into the fourth quarter as a deep mid-range shot from Dick and a layup from Blocker capped the lengthy spurt.
The Ascenders countered with a 10-2 run to tie things up at 48 midway through the final period.
After trading free-throws to make things 52-all in the final minutes, Duke pledge
Mark Mitchell knocked down the go-ahead 3-pointer from the right corner before a Blocker floater iced things for the Buffaloes with 23 seconds remaining.
Dick led Sunrise Christian Academy with 16 points but struggled from the field, shooting 5-of-18. Blocker and Middleton both provided sparks going for 13 points on 5-of-6 from the field and 10 points on 4-of-6 from the field, respectively.
Walker was tremendous despite the loss, finishing with 14 points, 14 rebounds and three assists on 6-of-9 from the field.
Kansas signee Gradey Dick finished with a game-high 16 points in Saturday's 57-52 win over IMG Academy.
Photo by Catalina Fragoso
