Preserving its mythical boys basketball national championship hopes in typically thrilling fashion, Yates (Houston) rallied past Neumann-Goretti (Philadelphia) last night, 97-96, to win the 26th Annual 'Iolani Prep Classic.

Yates, ranked No. 6 in USA Today's Super 25, improved to 10-0 on the season after clawing back from a 77-68 deficit early in the fourth period. The Lions took a 95-94 lead on Gary Jackson's layup with one minute remaining, but Tyreek Duran answered with a layup 14 seconds later to put Neumann-Goretti — Pennsylvania's No. 1-ranked team — back up, 96-95.

Yates guard Joseph Young, who signed with Providence University, then drove the lane and drew a foul with seven ticks left and sank both ends of a one-and-one to make it 97-96.

With the capacity crowd of about 1,100 at 'Iolani Gym on its feet, the Saints set up one final play from out of bounds in the frontcourt with 2.1 seconds remaining.

Junior guard Lamin Fulton received the pass on the right wing, about 24 feet from the basket, but his 3-point attempt glanced off the rim as time expired.

Young, a dazzling 6-foot senior, finished with 25 points including several clutch fourth-period baskets and was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player. Teammate Brandon Peters, a high-flying 6-2 guard who dazzled the crowd with thunderous slam dunks, finished with game-high 28 points and was named Most Outstanding Player.

Wake Forest-bound guard Tony Chennault led Neumann-Goretti with 28 points and Duran, who signed with LaSalle, added 20 points.

ORANGE LUTHERAN DEFENSE TOO MUCH FOR 'IOLANI, 68-41

'Iolani rallied to stay close to one of Southern California's top boys basketball teams by halftime yesterday, only to suffer another fateful third period and lose to Orange (Calif.) Lutheran, 68-41, in the seventh-place game of the 26th Annual 'Iolani Prep Classic.

Orange Lutheran, located near Disneyland, returns four top scorers from a team that went 26-6 last season and reached the California Interscholastic Federation quarterfinals.

The Lancers fell into the Classic losers' bracket only after a hard-fought 95-88 loss Saturday to Yates (Houston), which is ranked No. 6 in the nation by USA Today.

Yesterday, Orange Lutheran jumped out to a 21-7 lead before 'Iolani rallied to close it to 26-24 right before halftime. The Lancers scored in the closing seconds to take a 28-24 lead into the break.

But James Douglas scored on two layups to open the third period, and after a layup by 'Iolani's Josiah Sukumaran cut it to 34-28, Orange Lutheran closed out the quarter with a 16-0 run to lead 50-34 heading into the fourth. Matt Gest then hit a 3-pointer to start the final period and make it 53-28.

The Raiders went scoreless in the final 5:02 of the third quarter, one day after going the final 7:08 of the third period without a field goal in a 54-51 loss to Kinston (N.C.).

"I think we're still learning how to play tired, we're not in complete shape yet," 'Iolani coach Dean Shimamoto said. "I think that's why we're susceptible to those kind of runs."

Lancers coach Chris Nordstrom said at halftime his team discussed increasing its defensive pressure, and Douglas' two layups to start the third quarter came off steals in the Raiders' halfcourt offense.

"In the first half, we had a lot of shots rim out so I wasn't too worried about our offense, I thought we'd get those to fall in the second half," Nordstrom said. "But I wanted to pick it up defensively, and I thought the key was holding them to four points in that third quarter."

Tyler Funk and Gabe York each scored 12 points to lead a balanced Orange Lutheran attack.

Jarrett Arakawa scored 11 points to lead 'Iolani.