SPRINGFIELD, Virginia– Going by recent history, at least a few players in the game between Oak Hill Academy (VA) and La Lumiere (IN) will soon be in the NBA. Both of these high schools are perennial powerhouses, producing multiple top-ranked recruits and NBA draft selections.
The two nationally-ranked teams met Sunday, January 17, at the GEICO ESPN High School Showcase and provided a thrilling back-and-forth matchup that saw the No. 4 Oak Hill Warriors (12-1) hold off the No. 20 La Lumiere Lakers (3-4), 52-49.
Oak Hill had an early double-digit lead early but never pulled away, and La Lumiere tried to take advantage. It was finally late in the fourth quarter that they took their first lead to push the lead to 4 on a corner 3 from 2022 forward Chisom Okpara, a three-star recruit according to 24/7 Sports.
The Warriors reclaimed the lead thanks to key defensive stops and clutch buckets from 2022 forward MJ Rice. The Lakers had four different attempts at a game-tying three, but missed all four.
MJ Rice proves his hype with a dominant performance
MJ Rice came into the game as the highest-ranked recruit on either side. Rice is a five-star rated recruit in the 2022 class, the No. 23 overall recruit and No. 6 small forward, according to 24/7 Sports.
He provided just what Oak Hill needed to hold off the La Lumiere comeback. He was the game’s leading scorer and finished with 20 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 blocks.
Rice primarily built the lead for Oak Hill, contributing 14 of his 20 points in the first half. His strength in the post was too much for La Lumiere to guard, and his post score late in the fourth put the Warriors ahead for good.
2021 Guard AJ Williams provided 11 points, and 2021 forward Jalen Ricks added 10 points and 5 rebounds.
Oak Hill and La Lumiere players at the next level
These two teams have developed a bit of a rivalry as they have now faced off in three of the last four years. The rivalry between these 2 teams is one that is very unorthodox, as it is fought on two fronts; specifically, the court and the NBA Draft.
Both schools are known for their ability to produce NBA talent. The 2019 matchup was headlined by Oak Hill guard Cole Anthony and La Lumiere forward Isaiah Stewart. The two went on to be drafted back-to-back in the first round of the 2020 NBA Draft, with Anthony selected 15 by the Orlando Magic and Stewart going 16 to the Detroit Pistons.
La Lumiere has had alumni drafted in the first round for three straight NBA drafts; Stewart in 2020, Jordan Poole (28th) in 2019, and Jaren Jackson Jr. (4th) in 2018.
Oak Hill has a lengthy history of doing the same, producing NBA stars Carmelo Anthony, Rajon Rondo, and Jerry Stackhouse, among others..
