Monday was the first day of the FHSAA regular season and the first home game for Montverde Academy. Central Pointe Christian Academy out of Kissimmee and the Sunshine Independent Athletic Association would be the first test for a new look Eagles program now under the tutelage of Steve Turner, formerly of Gonzaga out of the powerful DC Washington Catholic Athletic Conference.
The homestanding Eagles scored off the opening tip on a layup by 6’6 senior and Northwestern commit Jayden Hodge. Central Pointe responded with a driving bucket from 6’0 junior Sam Pino. After a three from 6’8 senior Joe Philon of Monteverde and a mid-range jumper from Pino of CPC, Montverde would peel off a 14-2 run, getting five points each from 6’8 senior Kevin Thomas and 6’3 senior Dhani Miller. All CPC could muster during the run was a three-pointer from 6’5 junior Joessette Sanchez. Before the end of the quarter, Central Pointe’s 6’0 junior Sebastian Rivera converted a four-point play to make the score 19-11 in favor of Montverde.
Montverde continued its strong play to start the second period, reeling off ten unanswered points. It began with a dunk by 6’10 junior Lincoln Cosby and finished with a three-pointer from 6’7 junior Malachi Booker. Montverde was rolling with a 29-11 lead but the momentum quickly changed sides. Central Pointe put up a 10-1 run to end the period as Pino hit a three and scored on a drive, 6’1 senior Felix Jorge scored on the break and 6’3 junior Jean Benelle converted a three-point play. At the half, Montverde’s margin was just nine at 30-21.
The opening of the third quarter found Central Pointe continuing its run. Pino ripped off five points, while 6’9 junior Leandro Sola hit a mid-range shot and 6’9 senior Marcelo Paulino scored on the break. The game was now tied at 30-30 with six minutes remaining in the third. Montverde responded with a 7-0 run, five of those coming from Philon. Pino would drop in a three for CPC and after a Montverde free throw, drop in another triple to bring CPC to within 38-35. That is as close as CPC would get in the period. Montverde built back a double-digit lead, outscoring CPC 14-5, seven of those coming from Philon to lead 52-40. A late three by Pino made it a nine-point game, 52-43, heading into the fourth quarter.
The teams would trade four points among them until a dunk inside by Philon returned Montverde’s lead to double-digits at 58-47 with 5:30 remaining in the game. Moving forward a bit, after two free throws from Philon, Montverde’s lead was nine at 62-53. That is when things got VERY interesting. A 6-0 run by CPC, highlighted by a dunk from Sola got them back to within three at 62-59 with just over a minute to play. Miller hit two free throws for Montverde, but a Pino three made it a 64-62 game. CPC was forced to foul and Montverde only made one of two free throws, giving CPC a chance to tie. Dereck Pagan, a 5’8 junior, scored his only points of the game on a three just before the horn to tie the game at 65-65.
It looked like Montverde would dominate the overtime period, going on an 8-0 run. Oneal Delancy, a 6’3 junior, knocked down a three and scored on transition while Miller connected on a three to make the score 73-65. Sanchez got CPC on the board in the OT period with a three pointer. Montverde turned the ball over on its next possession and Sola scored off of it to get to within three points. Montverde came up empty on its next two possessions and with under fifteen seconds to play, Pino was fouled on a drive and dropped in a pair of free throws to make the score 73-72. Montverde brought the ball downcourt and called a timeout near its bench. With no shot clock in play, it was surprising that (a) CPC didn’t foul quickly and (b) Montverde didn’t’ hold the ball to force the foul. On the ensuing inbounds play, Sanchez of CPC broke into the passing lane, stole the ball, and scored to give Central Pointe its first lead of the game at 74-73. Montverde rushed up the floor, got a shot off, but a foul was called in the process. So, with 1.1 seconds left to play, Montverde was at the line to tie or win the game.
Both shots were off target.
Time ran out in the ensuing scramble for the ball and Central Pointe pulls off a major upset to open the season.
Pino led the way with 33 points for Central Pointe. Before CPC’s three-pointer to tie the game in the fourth quarter, Pino had a accounted for exactly half of CPC points. Sanchez finished with 15 points, none bigger than the steal and score to win the game.
Philon led Montverde with 23 points. Miller finished with 15 points while Delancy contributed 10 points.