The 51st Annual City of Palms Classic officially kicked off in Fort Myers, Florida, and it didn’t take long for the nation’s top high school basketball talent to put on a show. The Suncoast Credit Union Arena was buzzing with excitement on Wednesday as eight of the top 25 teams in the country and 40 of the best high school players in the nation squared off in the first round of this prestigious tournament.
From Owasso’s shocking upset to Montverde Academy’s powerful second-half surge, Day 1 was a reminder of why the City of Palms is considered the crown jewel of high school hoops showcases. Let’s dive into the standout performances and storylines that made this opening day unforgettable.
Owasso Stuns Long Island Lutheran in Upset Win
The opening game set the tone for the day’s action, as Owasso (Oklahoma) pulled off a thrilling 64-60 upset over the second-seeded Long Island Lutheran Crusaders (New York). After a tightly contested first half, the Rams showed grit and poise in the fourth quarter, riding the hot hand of 6-7 junior forward Jalen Montonati, who scored 28 points to power his team to a statement victory.
Montonati’s performance was the difference-maker, but he was well-supported by junior combo guard Boden Williams (13 points) and small forward Julius Wilson (8 points). Together, they held off a late charge from Long Island Lutheran, whose 6-5 junior guard Dylan Mingo led the way with 16 points, while sophomore power forward Moussa Kamissoko chipped in with 13.
For Owasso, this win serves as a major confidence booster as they head into Friday’s quarterfinals to face either Bishop McNamara or Oak Ridge. As anyone who’s followed the City of Palms knows, the tournament’s history is full of upsets, and this one could be a sign of things to come.
Grayson Runs Wild in Rout of Central Catholic
Grayson High (Georgia) wasted no time making their mark in this year’s City of Palms, delivering a dominant 96-55 victory over Central Catholic (Oregon) on the same day when their football team won the 6A state championship back home. The Rams came out hot, going on a 21-7 run to start the game, and never looked back. By halftime, Grayson had built a commanding 44-21 lead, and they poured it on in the second half, eventually winning by 41 points.
6-5 junior guard Caleb Holt, who’s currently ranked No. 3 in the Class of 2026, was superb, leading all scorers with 20 points. Senior point guard Chris McLavish Jr. added 20 of his own, while senior power forward Amir Taylor dominated the glass, finishing with 17 points and 16 rebounds. For Central Catholic, 6-0 junior guard Zamir Paschal put up a game-high 24 points, but it wasn’t nearly enough to keep pace with Grayson’s offensive firepower.
Grayson’s defense and unselfish ball movement made this a one-sided affair. Their next test will come Friday at 7:15 p.m., when they meet the winner of the Columbus-Great Crossing (Ky.) game.
Millennium Shakes Off Gateway Charter in Late Surge
The third game of the day saw Millennium High (Arizona), ranked No. 11 in the nation, hold off a pesky Gateway Charter squad for a 64-53 win. Despite leading throughout the game, Millennium’s offense took time to find its rhythm, but a late surge in the fourth quarter sealed the victory.
6-5 junior small forward Cameron Holmes was outstanding, leading all scorers with 22 points on 9-of-14 shooting. Utah State signee Kingston Tosi added 17 points, while sophomore guard Adrian Higuera chipped in with 8. Gateway Charter, which hung tough throughout, was led by senior guard Myles Jones, who finished with 17 points, but the Griffins struggled to contain Millennium’s scoring balance.
Millennium now advances to a Friday night showdown with the defending champions, Montverde Academy, a matchup that promises to be one of the tournament’s premier contests.
Bishop Verot Takes Care of Charlotte in Tribute Game
In the Hugh Thimlar Tribute Game, Bishop Verot (Florida) proved too strong for Charlotte High (Florida), securing a 59-43 victory. 6-7 senior forward Jerry Ashley was a man among boys in this one, registering a dominant double-double with 30 points and 11 rebounds. His performance was key to Bishop Verot’s success, as the Vikings led from start to finish.
6-0 senior guard Gavin Williams added 10 points for Bishop Verot, while Charlotte’s 6-2 senior guard Jordan Attia did his best to keep his team in the game, finishing with 16 points in a losing effort. With the win, Bishop Verot moves on in the bracket and will look to continue their strong play as the tournament progresses.
Montverde Academy Rolls Past Archbishop Carroll
In the most highly anticipated game of the day, Montverde Academy (Florida) showed why they’re one of the favorites to take home the City of Palms title with a 96-77 win over Archbishop Carroll (Pennsylvania). The Eagles surged in the second half behind the stellar play of Villanova signee Dante Allen, who finished with a game-high 30 points and six rebounds.
Florida commit CJ Ingram also made his presence felt, contributing 13 points and nine rebounds, while Hakeem Weems added 12 points. For Archbishop Carroll, 6-5 junior small forward Luca Foster was sensational, dropping 28 points on 13-of-21 shooting, but Montverde’s depth and defensive pressure proved too much for the Patriots to handle.
Montverde’s win sets up a marquee matchup with Millennium on Thursday night, a game that will feature some of the best young talent in the nation.
La Lumiere Holds Off Westminster Academy in Thriller
The final game of the night was a back-and-forth thriller between La Lumiere (Indiana) and Westminster Academy (Florida), with the Lakers emerging victorious 85-82. La Lumiere’s UConn signee Darius Adams led the charge with 25 points and nine rebounds, while San Jose State signee Melvin Bell Jr. added 21 points, including five three-pointers.
Westminster Academy, which was playing without its star guard Alex Constanza due to injury, got a historic 41-point performance from senior guard Alex Lloyd, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the firepower of La Lumiere. Westminster’s Constanza returned to the lineup for this game, adding 23 points, but La Lumiere’s offensive depth ultimately carried them through.
La Lumiere will face either IMG Academy or Faith Family Academy (Texas) in the quarterfinals, setting the stage for another exciting round of matchups.
What’s Next for the Tournament?
With Day 1 in the books, the City of Palms Classic has already lived up to its reputation as one of the top high school basketball showcases in the country. Montverde Academy, Grayson, and Millennium have all advanced to the quarterfinals, and with matchups like Montverde vs. Millennium and La Lumiere vs. IMG Academy coming up, the next few days promise even more high-caliber basketball.
As these elite players continue to make their case for college scholarships and future NBA stardom, the City of Palms Classic remains a must-watch event for basketball fans across the nation. Get ready for more action as the tournament heats up in what’s shaping up to be a thrilling finish.