By Dennis Chambers

NEW YORK — Early Friday afternoon at GEICO Nationals, two underclassmen from a Florida public high school took down a private school powerhouse with an ease so natural you would think it was a daily occurrence.

Vernon Carey Jr. and Scottie Barnes, a junior and sophomore, respectively, lifted third-seeded University School (FL) to an 80-65 win over No. 2 seed Oak Hill Academy (VA) in the tournament semifinals at Christ the King High School.

The two post players accounted for 22 of University’s 29 made field goals: Carey scored 29 points while Barnes added 22 points, six rebounds, and five assists. This rematch with Oak Hill from the Hoophall Classic yielded a much different result. Back in mid-January, Oak Hill bested University 83-69 despite Carey posting 29 points and 11 boards in that contest.

However, with a shot at Saturday's national championship game against Montverde Academy (FL) on the line, the Sharks would not miss out on their opportunity to get back at the Virginia boarding school.

Most specifically, the two five-star forwards.

“We thought about doubling them,” Oak Hill head coach Steve Smith said. “(Carey) plays all over the floor. It’s not like he just goes down and sits on the block, he plays outside. He plays outside as much as he plays inside, and when he’s inside it’s usually because he drives it on you… they played really well.”

University head coach Adrian Sosa relished in the opportunity to get back at Oak Hill on another national stage.

“It’s very satisfying,” Sosa said. “It’s something that we were looking forward to all year. We had an opportunity to play them in January and it didn’t work out the way we wanted it to. Having the chance to play them again, it was a perfect story.”

Barnes, his smile from the victory gleaming with the metal from his braces, has been arguably the most impressive player for the Sharks over their first two games, despite his sophomore status and Carey’s dominance.

After a first game that featured Barnes in much more of a post-play role, Friday’s contest against Oak Hill showcased a 6-foot-8 player who possessed the ability to grab a rebound, push a fast break, find open teammates in a halfcourt setting, and handle the ball much like a lengthy wing player would do in today’s NBA.

“I think it plays a big factor,” Barnes said. “I can do multiple things. I can dribble, I can pass, I can score when I want. I think it helps everyone out, it’s easier to run that way.”

That level of versatility makes Barnes and his Sharks teammates as formidable a bunch as any in this tournament.

“I think that’s what’s so unique about this team,” Sosa said. “We have so much versatility across the board. There’s times we let Vernon handle a lot on the perimeter. Scottie does a lot of the handling as well. It’s not often we play against somebody that’s bigger than Vernon, and (David) McCormack is a strong guy. Allowing Vern to catch it in the short corner, high post, turn and face, and use his versatility, is huge.

“More than anything, it allows us to start our fast break. Scottie is a one-man fast break. We’re really looking to get up and down, and their versatility helps that,” Sosa said.

The versatility of Carey and Barnes are obviously apparent. Carey mentioned specifically that he models his game after the likes of DeMarcus Cousins and Anthony Davis. While Barnes spoke that his versatile game caught the eyes of the Villanova coaching staff recently.

No public school has previously had the opportunity to play in the championship game of this prestigious tournament. Taking down Oak Hill was the first step, with an all-Florida heavyweight clash against top-seeded Montverde Academy awaiting the Sharks at noon Saturday in the final round.

“I haven’t seen a bunch of them this year,” Sosa said. “With our schedules and everything, but by the time tomorrow’s game comes around we’ll probably watch six or seven game films tonight.”

One more roadblock stands between University and its first GEICO Nationals championship.

“We’ll be prepared,” Sosa said.