The new year will open with the Lexington High School boys’ basketball team on an unprecedented run.

Monday’s 67-64 victory over Cookeville (Tenn.) at the final of the Sandestin Beach Blast in Freeport, Fla. was the team’s second straight holiday title.

It also improved the team’s school-record undefeated start to 15-0 on the season.

“We won this event 4 years ago and won at Modie Risher last year,” Lexington head coach Bailey Harris said. “We also won at Myrtle Beach in early 90s. But this was a big one.”

Lexington scored 31 points in the first quarter and led as many as 19 points. A furious comeback by Cookeville allowed them to tie the game, only for the Wildcats to reclaim the lead and hold on for the victory.

“They are a very good team that was coming off a 10 point win over the number 8 team in Kentucky basketball (Knox Central) in their semi final,” Harris said.

Tournament MVP Mason Carver led the Wildcats to 25 points and averaged 21 points in the four games. Will Edwards came off the bench with 13 points and Bradley Foulks added 8 in the win. Both, along with Carver, were named to the All-Tournament team.

Lexington defeated Jellico (Tenn.), William Blount Governors (Tenn.), HIghlands Hills (Ky.) and Cookville to win the tournament a second time. Up next is the annual matchup against the Australian traveling team at 7:30 p.m. at Wildcat Gymnasium.