In a highly anticipated clash at the 5 For The Fight National Hoopfest, Montverde Academy from Florida showcased its dominance by convincingly defeating Wasatch Academy of Utah 88-53 in a game broadcast on ESPN+. The spotlight, however, belonged to Cooper Flagg, the top-ranked prospect who recently reclassified to the Class of 2024.
Cooper Flagg, a Duke commit, stole the show with a stellar performance, contributing 19 points, nine rebounds, and six assists. Despite a slow start, Flagg demonstrated his versatility and impact on the game without always having the ball in his hands. Notably, his court vision was on display with a brilliant off-handed bounce pass through traffic leading to an easy dunk for Derik Queen.
Montverde Academy’s starting lineup features standout players like Derik Queen, Asa Newell, Liam McNeeley, and Rob Wright, who delivered a well-rounded performance. McNeeley set the tone with an impressive 21-point night on 8-for-9 shooting, contributing to the team’s commanding lead after the first quarter.
Rob Wright, named the player of the game, made significant contributions with 15 points and an impressive 11 assists. His offensive control and defensive intensity sparked a late first-quarter run, solidifying Montverde’s dominance.
Isiah Harwell and John Mobley Jr., an Ohio State commit, led Wasatch Academy’s offensive efforts with a combined 28 points, but it wasn’t enough to overcome Montverde’s relentless attack.
Montverde’s head coach, Kevin Boyle, expressed appreciation for the enthusiastic crowd and the opportunity to showcase their talent against top teams in great atmospheres. Looking ahead, Montverde faces American Fork on Tuesday at 6 p.m. MST, acknowledging the challenge posed by the fundamentally sound program.
In other tournament action, Link Academy from Missouri, the defending national champions, secured a 74-60 victory over Canyon International Academy from Arizona. Top-5 recruit Tre Johnson, a recent Texas commit, played a pivotal role with 18 points, four rebounds, and four assists, including four successful three-pointers.
The tournament’s nightcap on Tuesday at 8 p.m. will feature Link Academy against AZ Compass Prep from Arizona, promising an exciting matchup reminiscent of their clash in the GEICO Nationals this past April. As Montverde continues to shine on the national stage, fans eagerly anticipate more standout performances from the top high school basketball player in the country, Cooper Flagg.
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