MIDDLE VILLAGE, N.Y. – Coming in to GEICO High School Nationals, Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.) point guard Cole Anthony knew that returning to New York could create some degree of distraction, and for that reason planned to limit his interactions with everyone.
The tunnel vision approach translated into 30 points and 11 rebounds to lead the Warriors past Wasatch Academy (Mount Pleasant, Utah) 79-72 Thursday in the opening round of GEICO Nationals.
Cam Thomas added 16 points in the win. Mike Saunders led Wasatch with 22 points.
The Warriors turned 10 Wasatch turnovers into eight points in the first half to claim a 43-37 halftime lead.
The teams switched roles in the third quarter, Wasatch forced eight Oak Hill turnovers and cut the lead to 53-52 with 1:50 left in the third quarter on Tre Williams’ three-pointer.
Anthony opened the fourth with back-to-back threes to extend the Warriors’ lead, but Caleb Lohner’s jump shot pulled the Tigers to within three, 73-70, with 1:20 left.
The Warriors went 4-of-4 from the free-throw line down the stretch to secure the win.
Oak Hill will play No. 1 La Lumiere School (La Porte, Ind.) Friday at 5 p.m. (ESPN2) in the semifinals.
Follow Jason Jordan on Twitter: @JayJayUSATODAY
