The Link Academy Lions make the most of their first trip to a nationally renowned high school basketball tournament less than an hour from their campus in Branson.

The Lions outlasted Sunrise Christian 72-66 to claim the 2023 Bass Pro Shops Tournament of Champions in front of a capacity crowd at Great Southern Bank Arena on the Missouri State University Campus in Springfield. 

The Lions used a strong second quarter to get a six point halftime over the Buffaloes from Kansas then hold the lead from their to claim the tournament championship in the program's second year of play. 

Ja'Kobe Walter led four Lions in double figures with 17 points and was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player. Teammates Elliot Cadeau and Cade Phillips joined Walter on the All-Tournament Team.