In what has become one of the premier tournaments in the country, the Montverde Academy Invitational Tournament kicked off today. Eight highly talented teams and many nationally ranked players in various classes will hit the court for some serious hoops.
GAME ONE: Miami Riviera Prep vs. Phoenix Canyon International Academy-Bella Vista Prep
Riviera Prep is one of the better teams in the state regardless of class while CIA-Bella Vista is doing well in its first year in Nike’s EYBL Scholastic league. Riviera Prep started the game out well, leading 8-5 after the first four minutes. At that point, CIA’s superior length, speed, and quickness came into play as the Bears closed out the period with a 12-3 run to take a 17-11 lead into the second quarter.
CIA’s dominance continued in the first four minutes of the second, outscoring Riviera 8-2 to build a double-digit lead of 25-13. Riviera caught a little bit of a spark at this point. They got the deficit down into single digits but CIA scored the final bucket of the half to lead by ten, 33-23.
Riviera Prep regrouped and came out scorching in the third period. A 7-0 run over the first four minutes of the quarter brought them back to within three, 33-30 and it looked to be anybody’s ball game. The good times didn’t last as CIA scored four straight points to push their advantage to seven points. This seemed to deflate Riviera and as a result, CIA re-established its double-digit lead, using a 13-3 run to close out the period up 46-33.
The final period was anticlimactic as CIA seemed to simply overwhelm Riviera at both ends. Tough shots and turnovers by Riviera Prep became runouts and easy baskets for CIA. In the end, CIA won easily, 72-43.
CIA was led by 6’7 senior Jaion Pitt with 14 points, followed by 6’2 junior Rokiem Green with 13 points. Paul Osaruyi, a 6’10 sophomore added ten points, all in a very loud manner.
For Riviera Prep, no player scored in double-figures. Myles Fuentes, a 6’0 sophomore, led the Bulldogs with 9 points.
Game Two: Utah Prep vs. Weston Sagemont
Utah Prep is led by A.J. Dybansta, a 6’9 senior some consider to be the top player in the high school ranks regardless of class. Along with 6’2 senior J.J. Mandaquit and 7’1 senior Xavion Stanton, the Utes boost some fire power. Sagemont is led by 6’5 senior Matthew Able, 6’0 senior Anthony Knowles and 6’6 senior Patrick Liburd.
Utah Prep grabbed an 8-4 lead midway thru the opening period as Dybansta showed off an array of skills. Sagemont kept coming behind some perimeter shooting from both Liburd and Able. However, they weren’t able to got the deficit down and Utah Prep led 15-10 going into the second quarter.
One of the more exciting plays of the day came in the opening moments of the second period. Kevin Thomas, a 6’8 junior for Sagemont, got a step on Dybansta and rose to dunk the ball. Dybansta fouled trying to block the shot and to the untrained eye it looked like Thomas dunked on Dybansta. Thomas completed the three-point play. Sufficiently upset about the play, Dybansta came down the floor, dropped in a contested three, was fouled, and completed a four- point play. All of that was part of a Sagemont run that saw them tie the score at 19-19 with just over six minutes to play in the period. From that point, Utah Prep took control, closing out the period with a 21-6 run to lead by fifteen, 40-25, at the break. Dybansta already had a double-double at 16 points and 10 rebounds.
Sagemont got to work in the third quarter, slowly working the margin down to ten, 49-39, with four minutes left in the period. The last portion of the period became a “mano y mano” duel between Dybansta and Able. Dybansta dropped in four consecutive threes at one point while Able dropped in five in the period. With just over three minutes to play in the quarter, Sagemont was at the line to cut the margin to six. One went in and one didn’t and on the next Utes possession Dybansta drained a three to put the lead back to double digits. Heading into the final period, Utah Prep led 63-53.
That ten-point margin held until 4:34 left in the game with the score 75-65 in favor of the Utes. At that point, Sagemont came alive, with Able seemingly willing the team to a comeback. All of a sudden, Sagemont is only down 82-74 with 1:21 left to play. At that point, Able gets a steal and score then after a Utes turnover, Able drained a thee to get Sagemont to within three, 82-79 with fifteen seconds left. Utah Prep didn’t take the ball out timely enough and was called for a five second violation. Sagemont had three opportunities to tie the game; two inbounds passes were deflected and on the third try, Sagemont was unable to get a decent look. Utah Prep survives the comeback to win 82-79.
Dybansta finished the game with 35 points and 15 rebounds. Mandaquitt and 6’5 junior Anthony Felesi each scored 15 points. Mandaquitt had a double-double with 11 assists.
For Sagemont, Able finished with 39 points, 35 in the second half. Liburd added 16 points and Knowles finished with 10 points.
Game Three: AZ Compass Prep vs. Fort Lauderdale Calvary Christian
Compass plays in the EYBL Scholastic while Calvary is undefeated and a top ten to fifteen ranked team in the country depending on what set of rankings you prefer.
Calvary jumped out on top as their zone defense caused AZ Compass great difficulty. Calvary led 8-5 midway thru the period but stepped on the gas and pushed their lead to 17-10 at the end of the period.
The second quarter was a disaster for AZ Compass. Calvary held them to zero field goals and three points total. Meanwhile, Calvary was getting contributions from juniors Collin Paul and Sam Hallas to grow their lead. At the half, Calvary led 30-13 and looked in complete control.
Calvary had a 36-22 lead midway thru the third period. A 7-2 run by AZ Compass over the next two minutes got the deficit below double-digits and Calvary called a timeout. It didn’t help and when the horn sounded to end the third quarter, AZ Compass was right back in the hunt, down just seven at 41-34.
The good times didn’t last long for AZ Compass. Calvary put on a 9-2 spurt over the first three-plus minutes to a 50-36 advantage. Compass fought back and cut the lead to just a couple of possessions. Calvary was able to regain its composure and control of the game, winning by a final score of 58-49.
For Calvary, 6’8 senior and McDonald’s All American Sean Abaev scored 17 points. Hallas, a 6’7 junior, also scored 17 points while 6’0 sophomore Cayden Daughtery added 12 points.
AZ Compass got 14 points each from 6’4 juniors Kalek House and Kaden House.
(We were unable to stay for the final game off the night, Montverde Academy vs. Windermere Prep)