Kevin Boyle, a coach with a proven track record of winning on the biggest stages, has SPIRE Academy from Ohio looking like a true national contender. The rising Midwest program announced its arrival in emphatic fashion Wednesday night at the Chipotle Nationals.
Facing off against the highly-touted No. 4 team in the country, Archbishop Stepinac (N.Y.), SPIRE delivered a powerful statement with an 87-76 victory. The game, played at Hamilton Southeastern High School in Fishers, Indiana, was a masterclass in efficient, physical basketball.
The story of the game is told in the paint. SPIRE, ranked 15th nationally, bullied its way to a dominant 54 points inside, controlling the tempo for over 30 minutes of game time. Their offensive execution was crisp, assisting on 24 of their 35 made field goals. A decisive 27-10 third-quarter run blew the game open, showcasing their ability to shift gears and overwhelm an opponent.
Leading the charge was Alabama commit Tarris Bouie. The four-star small forward was nearly perfect, pouring in 22 points on an incredible 11-of-12 shooting. He stuffed the stat sheet with nine rebounds, six assists, and a block, finishing with a game-high plus-21 rating in just 26 minutes—a superstar performance when his team needed it most.
SPIRE's offensive efficiency was staggering, shooting 69% from the field as a team. They did this despite making only four three-pointers, proving you can win at the highest level with relentless attack and precision in the key. Iowa State signee Dorian Rinaldo-Komlan added 19 efficient points, while the backcourt of Darrell Davis (16 points, 8 assists) and Dayton commit Aiden Derkack (12 points, 8 rebounds) provided balance and playmaking.
Archbishop Stepinac mounted a furious 33-point comeback effort in the fourth quarter, but the hole was too deep. The Crusaders faced a unique challenge, as their star trio—USC signees Adonis and Darius Ratliff and Michigan State signee Jasiah Jervis—were coming off playing in Tuesday night's prestigious McDonald's All-American Game. The grueling schedule showed, particularly for the Ratliff brothers, who struggled to find their rhythm.
This win is more than just an opening-round victory for SPIRE; it's a declaration. By overpowering a top-five team with physicality and flawless execution, they have cemented their status as a program that can compete with—and beat—anyone in the nation.