The nation's top-ranked high school boys basketball team passed its first major test in the 22nd Annual Iolani Prep Classic last night, as Montrose Christian (Rockville, Md.) held off Arlington Country Day (Jacksonville, Fla.), 48-36, in semifinal action.

The Mustangs, No. 1 in USA Today's latest Super 25 rankings, improved to 6-0 and will play No. 21 Fairfax (Los Angeles) in tonight's championship game. Tipoff is set for 8 at Iolani Gym.

Last night, before a crowd of about 950 at Iolani, Montrose Christian made five 3-pointers in a 19-0 first-period run and then held off the Apaches (6-1), who are the defending Florida 2A state champs and ranked No. 8 by USA Today.

ACD's Josue Soto made a 3-pointer to start the game, but the Mustangs answered with two 3s each by Greivis Vasquez and Kevin Durant and one by Taishi Ito en route to a 19-3 lead. The Apaches ended the period with a 6-0 run to make it 19-9, but the early deficit proved too big to overcome as the closest they got afterward was 31-28 in the third quarter.

"We knew they would come out in a zone (defense) and we wanted to shoot them out of it," said Durant, a 6-foot-10 forward who is regarded by some as the nation's best player. "I know when I come into the gym people don't think I can shoot, but I work on all aspects of my game and I have to show them that I'll make it from out there."

Durant and Vasquez each finished with 16 points and seven rebounds.

While Durant posed a matchup problem as usual, Arlington Country Day presented its own threat with 7-3 center Jason Bennett. He scored eight points, grabbed nine rebounds and blocked five shots.

The Apaches closed to 31-28 with 5:10 remaining in the third period on Chris Merriewether's layup, but Montrose Christian answered with a 13-2 run and led 40-30 entering the final quarter. Soto, a 6-foot guard who has signed with Florida State, left the game in the third period with a 103-degree fever.

"They think he has a viral infection," ACD coach Rex Morgan said. "It hit him at about 5 p.m. (less than two hours before tipoff). When he came out, it made a big difference."

Mustangs coach Stu Vetter said his team's second strong defensive effort in a row made a big difference.

"We played consistent defense, just like we did against Iolani (in a 53-31 quarterfinal victory Tuesday)," Vetter said. "I watched the film of us last night, and Iolani runs an outstanding offense — they really know how to set screens. But we played great defense, and we did it again tonight. I don't think anyone else can hold (the Apaches) to 36 points."

FAIRFAX (L.A.) 54, MOUNT VERNON (N.Y.) 51

Chance Stanback scored 18 points and Matthew Shaw added 10 points to lead No. 21 Fairfax (Los Angeles) past No. 14 Mount Vernon (New York).

The Lions (6-1) built a 10-point lead in the fourth period but the Knights (2-1) closed to 52-51 on David Clark's free throw with seven seconds remaining.

Fairfax's Donovan White then sank two free throws with 1.4 seconds left and Mount Vernon was not able to attempt a halfcourt shot before the buzzer.

Jonathan Mitchell led the Knights with 15 points and six rebounds Danilio Hutchinson added 10 points.

The game was delayed for about 20 minutes with 2:07 remaining after Fairfax guard Ja'Shon Hampton hit his head on the bench while diving after a loose ball. Hampton was taken away by ambulance with a possible concussion.

CHAMPIONSHIP BRACKET

Montrose (Rockville, Md.) 48, Arlington Country Day (Jacksonville, Fla.) 36. Mont—Kevin Durant 16, Greivis Vasquez 16. ACD—A.J. Stewart 8, Chris Merriewether 8, Jason Bennett 8.

Fairfax (L.A.) 54, Mount Vernon (N.Y.) 51. Fair—Chance Stanback 18, Matthew Shaw 10. MV—Jonathan Mitchell 15, Danilio Colburn 10.

CONSOLATION BRACKET

Kalaheo 41, Leilehua 39. Kal—Chase Moses 20. Lei—Clayton Laurel 10.

Kohala 53, Damien 49. Koh—Ikaika Kahoopii 14, Ryan Bautista 11. Dam—Aminis Thompson 12, Matt Gochenouer 10.

Punahou 61, Maryknoll 53. Pun—Miah Ostrowski 25, Spencer McLachlin 12, Danny Cho 10. Mary—Travis Liu 15, Tyler Tsukazaki 12.

Kahuku 65, Nanakuli 44. Kah—Okesene Ale 23, Kevin Unga 13, Devin Unga 11. Nan—Anson Amaral 13, Kalai Kahalekai 11.

Mountain View (Mesa, Ariz.) 50, Palm Beach Lakes (Palm Beach, Fla.) 41. MV—Stephen Rogers 12, Kendall Wallace 11, Ryan Seymour 10. PBL—Kendall Jones 9.

Urspring (Ulm, Germany) 48, Iolani 42. Urs—Nicolai Simon 18, Lucca Staiger 12. Iol—Case Miyahira 14, Kawika Shoji 10.

CORRECTION

KAHUKU BEAT KOHALA

Kevin Unga scored 16 points to lead defending state runner-up Kahuku over Kohala, 47-35, Tuesday in the consolation round of the 22nd Annual Iolani Prep Classic. Kohala was incorrectly credited with the win in yesterday's Advertiser.

Reach Wes Nakama at wnakama@honoluluadvertiser.com.