There will be a first-time champion crowned at GEICO Nationals tomorrow at noon. National Top 10 No. 2
Link Academy (Branson, Mo.) faces No. 6
AZ Compass Prep (Chandler, Ariz.) in the title game after both teams picked up wins in their semifinal contests Friday at the Suncoast Credit Union Arena in Fort Myers, Fla.
After a 3-pointer from Baylor signee
Ja'Kobe Walter gave Link Academy a 50-35 lead mid-way through the third quarter, the Buffaloes rallied with a 16-2 run, including a a 12-0 run that spanned from the 1:25 mark of the third quarter to the 5:40 mark of the fourth quarter as a layup from Baylor signee
Miro Little cut the deficit to 52-51 with 6:30 remaining.
Cadeau knocked down a pair of 3-pointers and dished out two assists in the final six minutes of play, including an assist to Tennessee signee
Cameron Carr to extend the lead to two possessions at 66-61 with 10 seconds remaining.
Link Academy (26-1) has now advanced to the GEICO Nationals title game in each of its first two years of existence. The Lions were defeated by Montverde Academy 60-49 in last season's final.
After pulling off the biggest upset in GEICO Nationals history yesterday, Sunrise Christian Academy (21-8) fell just short of overcoming a 23-point first-half deficit. Ohio State signee
Scotty Middleton scored a game-high 22 points while shooting 8-of-11 from the field and 4-of-7 from 3-point range.
Link Academy also won a previous meeting against Sunrise Christian 72-66 in the Bass Pro Shops Tournament of Champions title game on Jan. 14.
North Carolina pledge Elliot Cadeau has compiled double-digit assists in back-to-back games at GEICO Nationals. (Photo: Pete Wright)
AZ Compass Prep knocked No. 5
IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.) 68-50 in the other semifinal thanks to a dominant fourth quarter.
After trailing 37-36 at the end of the third quarter, AZ Compass Prep completely controlled the final period of play. Following a 3-pointer from Maryland signee
Jamie Kaiser to make the score 41-40 IMG Academy one minute into the final quarter, AZ Compass rallied with a 10-4 run to give itself a 51-44 advantage mid-way through the period.
Following a response from IMG Academy to cut the deficit to 51-46, the Dragons closed out the game on a 17-4 run and pulled away late to advance to their first GEICO Nationals title game appearance. AZ Compass Prep outscored the Ascenders 32-12 in the fourth quarter to secure the 18-point victory.
AZ Compass Prep (24-6) saw four players finish in double figures led by a game-high 18 points on 6 of 8 shooting from New Mexico commit
Tru Washington. IMG Academy (18-8) only had two players contribute double figures led by a team-high 12 points from junior
Khani Rooths.
IMG Academy won the two previous meetings between the prep powerhouses this season, beating the Dragons 68-62 on Dec. 10 at Hoophall West and 58-53 on Jan. 16 at the Spalding Hoophall Classic.
