Seventh Place Game: Windermere Prep vs. Riviera Prep
These two teams have met in the last two Class 3A state finals so it was sure to be intense. The first quarter was well-played by both teams. Windermere Prep held a 13-10 lead midway through and the score stayed within one possession for nearly all of the period. Riviera Prep sank a three just before the buzzer to end the period up two, 23-21.
Windermere Prep seized momentum in the second quarter. The Lakers opened the period with a 10-0 run, but four quick points by Riviera Prep got them back into it. With four minutes left to play in the period, Windermere Prep’s lead was just four, 31-27. The Lakers were able to hold the Bulldogs off for the rest of the quarter and led 36-33 at the break.
The third quarter was just as intense and tight as the first two. Windermere Prep was able to maintain its lead and led by four, 46-42, midway thru the period. Riviera Prep hit a three on the next possession to close within one. Windermere Prep responded to keep its lead. With one quarter left to play, the Lakers lead was three at 52-49.
Four quick points in the first minute of the final period gave Riviera Prep the lead. That was just part of a 10-0 run that Riviera Prep put up to begin the fourth as the Bulldogs led 59-52 with four minutes to go. Windermere Prep was able to slice into the lead and got to within four with five seconds left and two free throws. The first one was made but the second one missed. The Lakers came up with the offensive rebound and had a chance to tie. The three-point attempt was off line and Riviera Prep wins its third consecutive game against the Lakers, 68-65.
Riviera Prep was led by Laron Mack with 24 points. Mason Fuentes had 16 points and Myles Fuentes scored 14 points. Jeremy Jenkins added 10 points.
Brandon Bass led Windermere Prep with 29 points. Sam Shoptaw added 14 points while Tristen Tucker finished with 11 points and Malachi Mathis contributed 10 points.
Fifth Place Game: Sagemont vs AZ Compass Prep
This game was played at the same time as the seventh-place game. Sagemont got a game high 27 points from Matthew Able but it wasn’t enough as AZ Compass Prep won by the score of 73-66. The Dragons of AZ Compass had 23 assists on 29 made field goals for the game.
Third Place Game: Fort Lauderdale Calvary Christian vs. Utah Prep
Utah Prep led 12-8 at the three-minute mark of a sluggish first quarter. Calvary was able to cut the gap to one, 15-14, at the end of the period.
The Utes of Utah Prep were able to maintain their lead for much of the second quarter but the Calvary Christian zone was making tough shots the norm. Utah Prep was up 21-18 at the halfway point of the quarter. Calvary closed at the period with a 9-4 run to take a 27-25 lead into the halftime locker room.
Utah Prep seized control in the open minutes of the third quarter, going on a 10-1 run to lead by seven, 35-28, with four minutes left in the period. Calvary then hit a three to get the gap down to four. That is the lead that Utah Prep would have going into the final period of play, up 46-42.
Using a trapping defense, Calvary got some stops and scores to tie the game at 49-49 with 5:25 left in the game. Calvary continued to trap and it continued to produce results. With 3:30 left in the game, Calvary now led by four, 53-49. Utah Prep was unable to re-take the lead and Calvary wins by the score of 64-57.
Shon Abaev of Calvary led all scorers with 32 points. Collin Paul tossed in 12 points and grabbed 11 rebounds while battling foul trouble and K.J. Francis added 10 points.
A.J. Dybantsa was “held in check” to the tune of 19 points for Utah Prep. Anthony Felesi added 14 points and 13 rebounds to the cause.
Championship: Montverde Academy vs. CIA Bella Vista Prep
These two teams played a few weeks ago and it as a four-point win for the Eagles of Montverde on a neutral court.
The Eagles got out to a quick 5-0 lead thanks to Dante Allen who scored both field goals. CIA wasn’t fazed. They broke off a 7-0 run, forcing a Montverde timeout. Magic words must have been spoken as Montverde ended the period with an 8-0 run to lead 13-7 going into the second quarter.
Montverde’s success continued in the opening minutes of the period. They doubled-up CIA 20-10 thanks to converting some CIA turnovers into scores to lead with just under five minutes to play, forcing a timeout. Out of that break, CIA got things going. Montverde had some offensive miscues in terms of missed shots and CIA took advantage. They finished the period with a 12-4 run to trail by just two, 24-22, at the half.
The Eagles of Montverde were able to maintain the slim lead in the third quarter until with 1:31 remaining, CIA tied the score at 33-33, forcing a Montverde timeout. CIA took a brief lead but then Montverde’s Dhani Miller connected on a three to give the Eagles back the lead. That score of 36-35 would hold until the end of the period.
CIA connected on a three to open the final quarter, part of a 7-0 run. They led by six, 44-38, with 5:43 to play, causing the Eagles to call another timeout to regroup. Montverde got a bit more aggressive on the offensive end, getting into the bonus with 4:35 left to play. The Eagles produced an 8-2 run to tie the game at 46-46 with under two minutes to play. A free throw by C.J. Ingram gave Montverde a 47-46 lead and after an empty CIA possession, Hudson Greer knocked down a three to give the Eagles a 50-46 advantage with twenty-five seconds to play. CIA’s Austin Goode scored quickly five seconds later to get back to within two. CIA was forced to put Montverde at the line and Ingram made one of two with seven seconds remaining to make it a three-point contest. CIA was unable to get a three-ball to tie to go down, and the Eagles escape with a thrilling 51-48 win.
Greer led Monteverde with 16 points, going 4-7 from beyond the arc in the process. Ingram contributed 13 points and Allen added 10 points.
For CIA, Miles Sadler as the only player to reach double-figures with 16 points.