Nationally-ranked Sunrise Christian, St. Frances pick up wins on Day 2 of Chick-fil-A Classic
Sunrise Christian Academy out of Kansas came into the 17th Chick-fil-A Classic as the only nationally ranked team in the tournament field — the Buffaloes are 13th in the country in the latest USA Today poll.
They showed why in a 57-38 victory against The Rock School from Florida in a National Bracket contest Thursday night. N’Faly Dante, the No. 9-ranked prospect in the 2020 class, led the Buffaloes in double figures with 16 points and nine rebounds.
But more impressively was the defensive effort by Sunrise Christian. They held The Rock School to 29.6 percent shooting and only four points over the final 10:24 of the first half when they took the lead for good.
“We usually hang our hat on defense and toughness,” Sunrise Christian coach Luke Barnwell said. “I thought we guarded extremely well because they can really shoot it. Our zone was good for us.”
The Lions took their only lead at 10-9,but the Buffaloes closed the half on a 12-4 run to take 21-14 lead at the half. It jumped into double figures four minutes into the second half and stayed that way the rest of the half.
Dante gets plenty of attention as a top-ranked junior, but Sunrise Christian has four Division I signees. Jordan Turner, a Baylor signee, added 13 points and UCLA signee Grant Sherfield added 10 points, four rebounds, three assists and two steals. Austin Crowley, who has signed with Vanderbilt, had six points, eight rebounds and four steals.
That has made the Buffaloes (8-1) the hunted this season. Barnwell has liked the way his team has handled the added pressure.
“We finished so well last year we went from the hitter to the hittee,” Barnwell said. “People want us and we get everybody’s best shot. We’re getting better and try not to worry about it too much. We want to win the next possession.”
Bryan Greenlee and Dardan Kapiti each scored seven points for The Rock.
In the nightcap, Adrian Baldwin drilled a 3-pointer from the wing with two seconds remaining to rally St. Frances Academy (MD) to a 59-58 victory over Memphis East (Tenn.) in the final contest in the first round of the National Bracket.
The Panthers forced a turnover with five seconds remaining to set up the winning shot. The ball came into Baldwin, and he took one dribble before hitting the shot with a hand in his face.
St. Frances trailed by 10 at the half, 33-23, Baldwin scored 18 of his 23 points in the second half to lead the comeback. Jason Murphy chipped with 14 points.
James Wiseman, the No. 1-ranked recruit in the 2019 class who is signed with Memphis, didn’t disappoint. The 7-footer scored 25 points with 16 rebounds and six blocks.
Chick-fil-A Classic
American Division
Independence (NC) 63, Roman Catholic (PA) 52
RC – Lynn Greer 14, Jalen Duren 11, Seth Lundy 10, Hakim Hart 10, Williams 4, Wild 3. I – Anthony Allen 17, Raja Milton 12, Andra’ McKee 11, Matthew Smith 11, Harris 7, Bodrick 5.
Salesian College Prep (CA) 50, Norcross (GA) 40
SCP – Shaen Bell 16, Jaden Lazo 10, Jaden McClanahan 10, Brinkman 6, Jo. McClanahan 4, Sawyer 4. N – Brandon Boston 23, Sturdivant 6, Muhammad 6, Eskridge 3, Ramsey 2.
National Division
St Benedict’s Prep (NJ) 64, Hillcrest Prep (AZ) 54
HP – Dishon Thomas 21, Kyree Walker 16, Devan Cambridge 13, Terry 2, Harris 2. SBP – Aaron Estrada 20, CJ Wilcher 19, Cook 8, Okani 6, Nutter 5, Orogun 4, Njie 2.
Bella Vista Prep (AZ) 81, Holy Spirit Prep (GA) 70
HSP – Anthony Edwards 27, Buka Peikrishvilli 11, Michaiah Jeremiah 11, Langlais 9, Brown 6, Cowherd 2, McKie 2, Jarjou 2. BVP – Terry Armstrong 24, Nicolas Elame 18, Addison Patterson 11, Talbot 9, Sertovic 8, Galbrath 5, Issanza 4, Tshimanga 2.
Sunrise Christian (KS) 57, The Rock School (FL) 38
SCA – N’faly Dante 16, Jordan Turner 13, Grant Sherfield 10, Coleman 8, Crowley 6, Pohto 4. R – Greenlee 7, Kapiti 7, Oglesby 6, Nwokeji 6, McGriff 4, McCray 3, Duke 3, Campbell 2.
St. Frances Academy (MD) 59, Memphis East (TN) 58
ME – James Wiseman 25, Malcolm Dandridge 11, Jacobs 7, Merriweather 7, Harwell 5, Thomas 2, Cathey 1. SF – Adrian Baldwin 23, Jason Murphy 14, Toles 9, West 6, Jones 4, Alexander 2, Walden 1.
Carolina Challenge
Westwood 70, United Faith Christian (NC) 48
W – Russell Jones 25, Ta’Jay Dunlap 21, Tyrell Huff 10, Lewis 9, Horn 4, Wormack 1. UFC – Josh Massey 21, Jason Thompson 11, Johnson 4, Cooper 4, Hill 4, Cotez 3, Morris 1.
Lakeside (GA) 73, Lower Richland 64
L – Tyshun Briscoe 21, Tucker Gilbert 18, Kalen Williams 12, King 8, Allen 7, Reese 2, Brown 2, Ehuie 2. LR – Jordan Rivers 16, Damajae Hicks 16, Korey Richardson 12, Anthony Huff 10, Townsend 5, Clinton 3, Archie 2.
Blythewood 83, Hartsville 65
H – Trae Hannibal 38, Cesare Edwards 11, Pendergrass 5, O’Neal 5, Cuffie 4, Capehart 2. B – Tre Jackson 22, Travis Thompson 15, Julian Phillips 14, Range 8, Shepard 6, Moore 4, Hardy 4, Williams 4, Manuel 4, Israel 2.
Friday’s Schedule
York Prep (SC) vs Lower Richland (SC) 1:50 p.m. Aux gym
Lakeside (GA) vs Richland Northeast (SC) 2:20 p.m. Main gym
Norcross (GA) vs Gray Collegiate (SC) 3:20 p.m. Aux gym
Independence (NC) vs Salesian College Prep 3:50 p.m. Main gym
Holy Spirit Prep (GA) vs The Rock School (FL) 4:55 p.m. Aux gym
St. Benedict’s (NJ) vs St. Frances Academy (MD) 5:25 p.m. Main gym
Hillcrest Prep (AZ) vs Memphis East (TN), 6:25 Aux gym
Bella Vista Prep (CA) vs Sunrise Christian Academy (KS) 7 p.m. Main gym
Roman Catholic (PA) vs Ridge View (SC), 8 p.m. Aux gym
Dorman (SC) vs Keenan (SC), 8:30 p.m. Main gym
This story was originally published December 27, 2018 at 10:28 PM.