There's a reason why Dawson Garcia is one of the state's top recruits.

The 6-foot-10 junior forward on the Prior Lake boys basketball team can score — at a high rate. He pumped in a career-high 40 points in the No. 2-ranked Lakers' 74-63 home win over Shakopee Dec. 18 in the South Suburban Conference opener.

It was the Lakers' fourth straight win after opening the season with a two-point loss to No. 1 Park Center (66-64) in the Big 12 Classic Dec. 1.

Garcia is averaging 30.2 points per game in the team's 4-1 start. He had 29 points in Prior Lake's 92-80 win at Minnetonka in a battle of Section 2AAAA foes Dec. 14.

Representatives from Indiana and Illinois watched Garcia score 40 against the Sabers, also a section foe. Garcia also had 15 rebounds, made five three-pointers and shot 15 of 27 from the field.

"When he gets rolling, he's almost impossible to stop," Prior Lake coach Bob Schweim told the Minnesota Basketball Hub.

Prior Lake led 41-32 at the break and never looked back in the second half. Senior Robert Jones also had a big game for the Lakers. The 6-10 center, who play Division I next year at Denver University, had 10 points and 16 boards.

Junior Tyree Ihenacho and senior Sam Nissen each had nine points for Prior Lake, while seniors Colin O'Connor and Jackyse Jacox each chipped in three. Ihenacho also grabbed 10 boards, while Nissen had four assists.

Prior Lake is back on the court Dec. 27 in the Granite City Classic at St. Cloud Apollo High School, taking on Osseo at 7 p.m.

The Lakers will open the New Year at home against Chanhassen in a battle of Section 2AAAA foes. Prior Lake returns to SSC action the next day at home against Lakeville South. Both games start at 7 p.m.