Marcus Peterson lit up the scoreboard for 35 points on 13-of-21 shooting, leading Huntington Prep to a dominant 89-72 victory over Oak Hill Academy in front of a packed gymnasium at the National Prep Showcase in Fort Washington, Maryland.
The 6-foot-4 senior guard’s explosive performance highlighted what many scouts considered the marquee matchup of the weekend, as two of the nation’s top prep programs squared off with several Division I coaches in attendance.
Peterson Torches Oak Hill Defense
Peterson, who holds offers from Duke, Kentucky, and North Carolina, caught fire early and never cooled down. The Charlotte native knocked down 7-of-12 attempts from three-point range and added eight assists while committing just two turnovers.
“Marcus was in complete control tonight,” Huntington Prep head coach Rob Fulford said. “He picked his spots, got his teammates involved, and when we needed a bucket, he delivered. That’s what elite players do.”
The Irish jumped out to a 23-14 lead after the first quarter behind Peterson’s 11 points and never looked back. Oak Hill, ranked No. 4 nationally by ESPN, struggled to contain Huntington’s balanced offensive attack that featured four players in double figures.
Warriors’ Perfect Season Ends
The loss snapped Oak Hill Academy’s 18-game winning streak and dropped the Warriors to 18-1 on the season. Huntington Prep improved to 21-2 and strengthened its case for the mythical national championship with arguably its most impressive victory of the campaign.
Oak Hill’s Isaiah Williams, a 6-foot-6 forward committed to Arizona, led the Warriors with 24 points and 11 rebounds but received little help from his supporting cast. The Warriors shot just 38.9 percent from the field and turned the ball over 16 times against Huntington’s aggressive pressure defense.
“We got outplayed in every facet of the game,” Oak Hill coach Steve Smith said. “They were more physical, more active defensively, and Marcus Peterson put on a clinic. Credit to them – they came ready to play.”
Supporting Cast Steps Up
While Peterson grabbed the headlines, Huntington’s depth proved decisive. Forward Jamal Richardson contributed 18 points and nine rebounds, while point guard Tony Martinez dished out seven assists against just one turnover. Center David Park dominated the paint with 14 points and 12 rebounds, outmuscling Oak Hill’s frontcourt.
The Irish outrebounded Oak Hill 42-31 and scored 24 points off turnovers, capitalizing on the Warriors’ uncharacteristic sloppiness with the basketball. Huntington shot 52.1 percent from the field and knocked down 13-of-28 three-point attempts.
National Championship Implications
Saturday’s victory moves Huntington Prep into serious contention for prep basketball’s national title. The Irish have now defeated three top-10 ranked opponents this season, including previous wins over Montverde Academy and IMG Academy.
With Peterson leading the charge, Huntington appears destined for a deep run in the National High School Invitational next month. The senior guard is averaging 27.4 points per game while shooting 47 percent from three-point range, numbers that have college coaches scrambling for his signature on National Signing Day.
Oak Hill will look to bounce back when they face La Lumiere School on Tuesday night, while Huntington Prep returns to action Thursday against DeMatha Catholic in what promises to be another test of their championship credentials.
