Boys’ basketball: Unbeaten Chino Hills wins City of Palms Classic in overtime

Chino Hills has thrust itself into the conversation as more than just a contender to finish the season as the best basketball team in America after traveling to Florida and winning the City of Palms Classic on Wednesday night.

The Huskies defeated New Jersey Patrick School, 66-60, in overtime in Fort Myers, Fla.

Chino Hills usually likes to score close to 100 points in a game, but Florida has no shot clock, and both teams were holding the ball when needed. Missed free throws by Chino Hills (9-0) in the final seconds of regulation enabled Patrick to send the game into overtime.

But UCLA-bound Lonzo Ball hit a huge three in overtime and started to make free throws to enable the Huskies to come home on Christmas day champions of a prestigious national tournament and become the likely No. 1 team from publications that conduct national basketball rankings.

Lonzo Ball, the tournament MVP, finished with 20 points, eight rebounds and 11 assists. Elizjah Scott had 15 points and nine rebounds. LaMelo Ball had 13 points and LiAngelo Ball 11.

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