Two of the nation’s top 10 teams to square off in T of C title game

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By Kai Raymer (For OzarksSportsZone.com)

For only the second time in five years, the Bass Pro Tournament of Champions title game will have a public school participant.

And a first-time champion.

McEachern (Ga.) takes on budding basketball power Sunrise Christian Academy (Kan.) at 9 p.m. Saturday at JQH Arena.

BASS PRO TOURNAMENT OF CHAMPIONS CENTRAL

‘Family’ atmosphere drives McEachern

They’re not quite a Hoosiers-like underdog.

Nearly 2,500 students attend McEachern High School. That’s larger than any high school in Missouri.

But in a tournament dominated by private schools in recent years, the Indians are making the case that public schools can be dominant on a national level, too.

The Indians are only the second public school team to reach the Tournament of Champions finals since 2015 (Memphis East, 2018).

This season, McEachern – located in Powder Springs, Georgia – has been a consensus top-5 program nationally.

The Indians (17-0 overall) won the City of Palms Classic in Florida late last month, defeating longtime Tournament of Champions participant Oak Hill in the process.

“When we go out and play games like this – City of Palms, Bass Pro and places like that – we see (private schools),” said Indians coach Mike Thompson. “That’s kind of a challenge to us, to play teams like that.”

McEachern’s led by point guard Sharife Cooper, one of the top players in the junior class, and high-flying senior forward Isaac Okoro, an Auburn commit. Three other seniors – Jarod Jones, Quinton McElroy and Alyn Breed round out the starting lineup.

“We’ve been together so long,” said Cooper, who has 59 points through two games. “We haven’t had too many people come from the outside in. It’s been a family thing. Being family and playing all these other teams that bring in players from all over the country, it just means a little more to beat those teams if we stay together.”

When Cooper entered high school, Thompson gave him the green light to run the show. He hasn’t regretted the decision.

“There’s sometimes I want to pinch his head because he does something I don’t think he should’ve done,” Thompson said. “But we kind of have an understanding that I’m going to let him play his game. I told him when he came here, ‘I’m going to give you the ball and for four years you’re going to lead our team.’ I’m not going to go back on what I said.

“Fortunately for us, he does a lot more great stuff than poor stuff.”

McEachern has appeared in the Tournament of Champions only other time – in 2009. The Indians finished third that year.

Depth key for emerging Sunrise Christian

Move over, Montverde, Oak Hill Academy and others.

There’s another high school basketball power emerging, straight out of Wichita, Kan.

Sunrise Christian Academy, making its first Tournament of Champions appearance, is as stacked as they come. The Buffaloes’ program, both at the high school and post-grad level, is filled with Division I-level recruits.

Nfaly Dante, a 7-foot junior, is the headliner, but he has plenty of help. Guard Grant Sherfield is headed to UCLA. Austin Crowley has committed to Vanderbilt.

The Buffaloes can do a lot, and do it well.

“What I love about our group is, I think we’re really good at a lot of spots,” said Sunrise coach Luke Barnwell. “What makes it great is the ingredients we have. Guys like these make it great, and we’ve continued to get better and better players. They’ve made my job a lot easier when you can get better players.”

Oak Hill Academy (Va.) won the 2018 Tournament of Champions. Sunrise beat them that season, by double digits.

This season, Sunrise is a consensus top-10 program nationally.

“We’re climbing a little bit, but we try not to worry about that stuff and try to take care of what’s in front of us,” Barnwell said. “We got a chance to bring a trophy home. Great opportunity. This (title game) will have a lot of implications for later on.”

Added Sherfield: “It’s another opportunity to go out and get a trophy for Sunrise. Great opportunity, great tournament.”

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