This is Pre-Season Week in Florida high school basketball. Monday night brought the opportunity to get a first look at national powerhouse Montverde Academy. The Eagles took on a North Tampa Christian squad that is looking to test itself from the jump. Montverde was shocked last year by Central Pointe Christian in OT last year in the first pre-season game. Coach Steve Turner and company are hoping to avoid anything similar this time around.
Both teams struggled to put points on the board in the first period. Montverde got on top early and led 11-4 with under three minutes to go in the quarter. For whatever reason, Montverde did not look to take advantage of their great size disparity inside and settled for several perimeter shots, none of which found the mark. The Eagles got their points mostly via stickbacks and free throws. NTC was hampered by the size of Montverde on the offensive end and had to make some tough shots from the perimeter. Afte one quarter of play, Montverde led by the score of 13-7.
Both teams found some rhythm in the second quarter. NTC drained five shots from behind the arc in the period, three from 6’0 senior Tysen Jefferson and a pair from 6’2 junior Dallas Oliver. Montverde counted that with some three-point shooting from 5’10 senior Javion Tyndale and some inside scoring from 6’7 senior Sebestian N’dour. By the midway point of the period, NTC had drawn to within 20-18 and with thirty seconds left found itself down one, 27-26. Tyndale drained a late three-pointer and at the break, the Eagles were just four, 30-26.
The third quarter brought a complete change in momentum. The homestanding Eagles came out hot at both ends of the floor. NTC turnovers fueled Montverde’s transition game which led to a 10-0 run over the first half of the period. NTC was held scoreless in the period until less than two minutes remained. Montverde, led by 6’7 junior Xavier Skipworth’s ten third quarter points, outscored NTC 18-5 in the quarter to lead 48-31.
The Eagles’ double-digit lead remained in place in the early minutes of the final period. NTC made a run behind some torrid shooting from both Jefferson and Oliver and with under five minutes to go were down just ten, 53-43. A quick 5-0 response from Montverde, featuring a Tyndale three-pointer, brought the margin to fifteen, 58-43, with four minutes left to play. Not enough time was left for NTC to make another run and Montverde cruised to close out the fourth and get the win by the score of 66-48.
Montverde was led by Skipworth with 23 points while Tyndale added 17 points.
North Tampa Christian was led by Jefferson with 23 points, going 5-9 from deep in the process. Oliver finished with 15 points.
Some notable numbers for Montverde would be their shooting 52% overall from the field despite going just 5-22 from deep. Their 40-8 points in the paint advantage was a major factor.