Brewster to face Utah Prep in Iolani Classic title game

Brewster Academy point guard Ebuka Okorie (2) goes for a layup in the third quarter against Veritas Academy in the 40th ‘Iolani Prep Basketball Classic at Iolani's lower gymnasium. CJ Caraang | SL

And then there were two.

The 2024 edition of the Iolani Classic will feature two first time contenders, Brewster Academy and Utah Prep, in its championship game, and marks only the second time in the 12 appearance that prep power Oak Hill was not in the final pairing.

Brewster got a game-high 20 points from Ebuka Okorie in a 64-43 win over Veritas Academy, outscoring the Titans 37-18 in quarters two and three to pull away.

Through three games at Iolani, the Bobcats from New Hampshire have shown balanced scoring as team, evidenced by point production of at least six points by six players against the Titans.

Veritas was led by Lamarious White with 13 points and Juan Guerrero Hernandez Jr. with 11.

Utah Prep handed Oak Hill just its fourth loss in 12 visits to Lower Gym, taking down Warriors, 62-53, to keep Oak Hill's all-time title count at the Classic at seven.

Prior to 2024, the Warriors only failed to reach the title game of the Classic in 2012, when it fell to La Luminere, 70-67, in the semifinals.

AJ Dybantsa put on show, pouring in 26 points to lead all scorers, and Utah Prep led 31-16 at halftime.

The Warriors rallied in the third, outscoring Utah Prep 18-12 in the quarter to cut the lead to single digits, but Utah Prep had the edge in the fourth to ice the victory.

Donovan Willams Jr. led the Warriors with 17 points and Deondrea Lindsey added 16 in the loss.

A consolation game of note was a double overtime thriller between Wheeler and St. Paul VI that was won by the Wildcats, 71-68.

The Panthers clawed back to tie the game at the end of regulation fueled largely by the play of Jordan Smith Jr., who dropped 32 in a losing effort.

Wheeler had four players hit double figures, led by Colben Landrew's 22.