Jerry Brewer of the Orlando Sentinel reports: It was a crazy season-opening victory celebration.

The Dr. Phillips boys' basketball players hopped and hooted with about 25 fans at center court. Some players took their jerseys off. Ten minutes later, starting point guard Chance McGrady cried in the locker room.

Dr. Phillips had just defeated Cypress Creek 73-72 on a 3-pointer by guard Barry Durosier, coming back from a 17-point deficit in Amare Stoudemire's return to high school basketball.

After a long journey filled with academic issues, residency questions and five different high schools, Stoudemire played his first high school game since his sophomore season Monday night.

Stoudemire, considered by many to be the best prep player in the country, finished with 10 points, 16 rebounds and six blocks. He finished 3-of-6 from the field and hit all four of his free throws, including two with 26 seconds left that gave Cypress Creek a 72-70 lead.

For most of the game, he could not get the ball, thanks to some good Dr. Phillips' defense and impatience by his teammates. Stoudemire wowed the crowd with two dunks and a crossover dribble to set up a 17-footer, but teammates overthrew him twice on lobs and missed him several times when he was open in the paint.

To his credit, Stoudemire never grew frustrated -- though he was eager to prove himself -- and continued to impact the game defensively.

"I was hungry, but I didn't get a chance to eat," Stoudemire said.