Stu Vetter has won more 'Iolani Classic titles as head coach than anyone else.

But in his nine years as coach at Montrose Christian, the Mustangs have yet to bring the tournament title back to Maryland.

Back in Hawaii for the 19th time, Vetter watched his Mustangs take the first step in winning the elusive Classic title, routing Maryknoll 81-30 on the first day of the six-day tournament that features 16 teams from nine states and two countries.

“;This is like the equivalent of Duke, North Carolina and Kansas playing in the same tournament, only at the high school level,”; Vetter said. “;This is one of the top tournaments in the country, and to win it with the caliber of teams in this would be a huge accomplishment for us.”;

Six -foot-10 senior Mouphtaou Yarou, a Villanova commit, led four Mustangs in double figures with 18 points and eight rebounds. Isaiah Armwood, who will also play at Villanova next year, added 14 points, as did junior Terrence Ross.

Tyler Terai had seven points to lead the Spartans, who got a 3-pointer from Dillon Keaney to take an early 3-2 lead.

That'd be about all the fun Maryknoll would have, as Montrose Christian responded by scoring the game's next 41 points. Armwood and Ross scored 12 straight points during a stretch in the second quarter in which they took turns throwing down fast-break dunks against the overmatched Spartans.

Leading 45-9 at halftime, Vetter played his bench the rest of the game, giving extended minutes to some of his younger guys, including 7-1, 292-pound sophomore T. Jordan Omogbehin, a prospect who Vetter says could be one of the best by the time he's a senior.

“;We spent that time (in the second half) developing players, coaching our backup guys throughout the game like they are starters,”; Vetter said. “;(Omogbehin) has the potential to be very good, and could be one of the best players in America next year.”;

Montrose Christian extended its lead to 69-20 after three quarters, but the Spartans wouldn't give up, and were only outscored by two in the final quarter.

Keaney hit his second 3-pointer of the game to start the fourth period, and Kekiai Cashman-Fernandez scored just before the end of the game to get the Spartans to the 30-point mark.

Justin Anderson, rated the No. 1 freshman by ESPN, hit three 3-pointers and finished with 11 points for Montrose Christian, which will play in tomorrow's 8 p.m. quarterfinal against the winner of tonight's game between Moanalua and Whitney Young (Ill.). The Dolphins feature 6-foot-3 Purdue commit Anthony Johnson and Marcus Jordan, son of NBA great Michael Jordan.

'Iolani 57, McKinley 34

Pablo Warner led 12 Raiders who scored with 12 points and 'Iolani beat the Tigers to advance to tomorrow's quarterfinal against tonight's Oak Hill/Mid-Pacific winner.

Jordan Macalma had a team-high 11 points for McKinley.

LeFlore (Ala.) 92, Leilehua 27

Demarcus Cousins scored 19 points to lead the Rattlers past the Mules.

Brent Lemon and Xavier Ager scored eight points each for Leilehua.

LeFlore moves on to the quarterfinals against DeMatha (Md.) on Friday.

DeMatha (Md.) 84, Tsinghua (China) 30

Josh Shelby scored 14 points to power the Stags past the Dragons.

Shuailin Li scored a team-high 13 points for Tsinghua.