New Haven, CT – Western Reserve Academy's varsity boys basketball team faced tough competition at the prestigious National Prep Showcase, dropping two closely contested games to Mt. Zion Prep (MD) and New Hampton School (NH).

The first game against Mt. Zion Prep was a nail-biter, with WRA falling just short, 87-85. Anthony Thompson ('26) led all scorers with a game-high 26 points, shooting an impressive 6-8 from beyond the arc. CJ Stinson ('25) showcased his all-around game, finishing with 23 points, 8 rebounds, and 8 assists, while Trey Cady ('26) provided a spark off the bench with 11 points and 6 rebounds. The Pioneers held a double-digit lead in the first half, but Mt. Zion's adjustments and dominance on the boards (39-27) allowed them to claw back into the game. WRA had a chance to tie or win on the final possession but came up just short in the end.

In the second game, WRA faced a talented New Hampton School squad and fell 86-78.  CJ Stinson ('25) led the team with 24 points, while Trey Cady ('26) shined with 22 points, including four three-pointers. Dom Sprague ('26) added 14 points. New Hampton's aggressive defense forced 10 steals and held WRA to 40% shooting. Facing a 19-point deficit in the first half and playing without starting center Pavle Ridesic ('25), the Pioneers battled back but ultimately fell short.

While the trip didn't yield the desired results, WRA showed resilience against top-tier competition. The team will look to build on these experiences as they prepare for their next game, hosting Linsly (WV) on December 4th at 6 PM in the MAC.