Trey McKenney put on a spectacular show by scoring 18 points in the first quarter, matching IMG Academy’s entire team output. His remarkable 37-point performance included eight 3-pointers, yet Orchard Lake St. Mary’s couldn’t secure the win. IMG Academy emerged victorious with a 67-62 win at Oakland University’s packed O’Rena. McKenney’s shooting was exceptional as he connected on 12 of 17 attempts from the field. The Michigan-bound guard went head-to-head with Arkansas commit Darius Acuff Jr., who added 32 points in this intense clash between two basketball powerhouses.

McKenney’s Historic Performance

McKenney, the Michigan-bound guard, opened the game with fierce intensity. He scored his team’s first 10 points and made a momentum-moving four-point play. His first-half performance dazzled everyone as he racked up 26 points before halftime.

Throughout the contest, McKenney’s shooting efficiency was outstanding. He connected on 12 of 17 shots and sank eight three-pointers. IMG Academy tried to contain him with double teams, but McKenney kept scoring despite playing with multiple jammed fingers on his left hand.

McKenney’s performance carried extra meaning since he had just made history. The senior became Orchard Lake St. Mary’s all-time leading scorer, breaking Kalin Lucas’s previous record of 1,688 points.

“When the lights come on in this type of environment, he’s at his best,” said St. Mary’s coach Todd Covert, highlighting McKenney’s exceptional talent. McKenney showed his shooting range in key moments and hit a stunning 25-foot three-pointer that brought the game within three points in the final seconds.

Battle of Elite Guards

The matchup between childhood friends became an electrifying showcase of elite talent. Five-star guards Trey McKenney and Darius Acuff Jr. put on a spectacular show and scored a combined 69 points in their predicted face-off.

These standouts share a deep personal bond. They honed their skills together on Detroit’s public courts and played as teammates for the U-18 Team USA and The Family, a Nike EYBL squad. “That’s my guy, we are really close,” McKenney said about his longtime friend.

Acuff’s return to Michigan marked his first game since transferring to IMG Academy in 2023. The Arkansas commit showed his prowess by hitting 11 of 19 field goal attempts. He scored 13 significant fourth-quarter points and led Detroit Cass Tech to its first state championship.

“I’ve been waiting on this moment forever,” Acuff said about his Michigan homecoming. His admiration for McKenney shone through his post-game remarks: “He was frying, honestly. He’s my boy. He’s a pro”.

St. Mary’s coach Todd Covert emphasized their bond: “They are good, they respect each other, and I’ll tell you what, there’s no beef between them. Good friends, good competitors”.

Game-Changing Moments

The game took a dramatic turn after halftime when IMG Academy’s defensive changes made all the difference. The Ascenders doubled up their defense aggressively, which limited McKenney’s chances to score.

IMG Academy dominated the third quarter and outscored St. Mary’s 13-6. McKenney, who had controlled the first half, couldn’t find the basket during this vital stretch.

Acuff’s fourth-quarter heroics ended up winning the game for IMG Academy. The Arkansas commit poured in 13 of his 32 points in the final frame and nailed a clutch three-pointer with just 1:30 left. St. Mary’s coach Covert broke down the tactical challenge:

“When they’re playing pick-and-roll with Acuff, you’ve got to step up, and the roll’s open. You’ve got to pick your poison a little bit”.

The intensity never dropped until the final buzzer. McKenney fought through tough defense to score 11 points in the fourth quarter. He drained an amazing 25-foot three-pointer that pulled St. Mary’s within three points near the end. But IMG Academy’s team effort and smart adjustments were too strong.

“We should have won that game,” McKenney said after the game. “I feel like we were on the same level as them. We couldn’t hit shots in the second half to hold onto it”.

McKenney’s 37-point performance shows evidence of his elite-level talent, even though the final score didn’t go his way.

IMG Academy grabbed a 67-62 win by adjusting their defense, but this exciting matchup went beyond basketball excellence. The game highlighted McKenney and Acuff’s deep respect and friendship as Michigan’s finest talents. Their 69-point show at Oakland University’s O’Rena proved that high school basketball reaches its peak when friends become fierce competitors. St. Mary’s team couldn’t get the win, but McKenney’s scoring display and the game’s dramatic finish gave basketball fans exactly what they wanted to see – an unforgettable duel between two future stars of the sport.