The Cedar Park Christian boys basketball team continues to make a case for being the No. 1 1A team in Washington state this season.

The Eagles outlasted Lathrop of Alaska Thursday night during the first round of the Cactus Jam, held in Phoenix, Ariz., 68-66, to advance through the first round.

The win came as Trey Drechsel dominated on offense, scoring 29 points for Cedar Park. Luke Sauferer helped to take pressure off of Drechsel with 16 points of his own.

The team from Bothell made a statement during the first quarter, running past Lathrop 23-13. But the team from Alaska came back during the second quarter, cutting that lead to just four points and then tying the game by the end of the third quarter.

But the Eagles continue to show a will to win in tight games, outlasting Lathrop for a two-point victory during the fourth quarter.

The Eagles aren’t the only team from Washington in the tournament. Lake Washington High School, from Kirkland, won its game against Eagle River, also from Alaska, 58-50 on Thursday.