High school basketball: Montverde Academy secures top spot in National Top 10

By Jordan Divens Feb 15, 2023, 10:15am

Eagles close out regular-season play with a 62-52 victory over IMG Academy.

The high school basketball season in winding down as many National Top 10 teams have either wrapped up or are in the final weeks of regular-season play with the focus now set on receiving an invitation to GEICO Nationals.

Top-ranked Montverde Academy (Montverde, Fla.) closed out regular season play last week and sits in a strong position to earn to No. 1 seed in the national championship tournament after winning the NIBC title. The Eagles are favorites to win their third consecutive GEICO Nationals title and seventh in program history.

Other NIBC programs in strong position for a GEICO Nationals berth include Sunrise Christian Academy (Bel Aire, Kan.), IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.) and AZ Compass Prep (Chandler, Ariz.), while non-NIBC programs Link Academy (Branson, Mo.) and Prolific Prep (Napa, Calif.) appear to be locks for the field as each has one loss on the season.

One more NIBC event remains on the docket this season  at Legacy Early College that could shake things up in the National Top 10 from March 2 through March 4.
Xavier signee Trey Green continues his strong senior campaign for third-ranked Prolific Prep. (Photo: Jerrell Jordan)
Xavier signee Trey Green continues his strong senior campaign for third-ranked Prolific Prep. (Photo: Jerrell Jordan)
1. Montverde Academy (Montverde, Fla.)
Record: 23-2 | Last week: 1
Finished regular season play with a 62-52 triumph over No. 5 IMG Academy led by 14 points and four rebounds from five-star junior Asa Newell, while four-star junior Liam McNeeley contributed 14 points and eight rebounds, and five-star sophomore Cooper Flagg tallied 13 points and six rebounds.



Record: 23-1 | Last week: 2
Despite being scheduled to play in the Dr. Pepper Classic over the weekend, the Lions pulled out of the event due to a flu outbreak within the team. They close out the regular season against Oklahoma City Storm on Wednesday.

Record: 26-1 | Last week: 3
Notched a pair of victories at the Queen City Classic, taking down Quality Education Academy (Winston-Salem, N.C.) 93-68 behind a game-high 21 points, six rebounds and five assists from Xavier signee Trey Green and defeating Asheville School (Asheville, N.C.) 89-66 paced by a game-high 25 points, eight assists and three rebounds from Auburn signee Aden Holloway.

Record: 16-6 | Last week: 4
Went 2-0 over the weekend at the Heartland Hoops Classic, knocking off Real Salt Lake Academy (Herriman, Utah) 60-38, led by 18 points from five-star senior Matas Buzelis and 17 points from Arkansas signee Layden Blocker. They also cruised past Chicago Prep (Chicago) 69-47 behind a game-high 23 points and 18 rebounds from Buzelis.

Record: 17-7 | Last week: 5
The Ascenders closed out regular season play with back-to-back losses against NIBC opponents, losing to No. 10 Wasatch Academy 59-58 before falling to No. 1 Montverde Academy 62-52 to end the season 8-4 in conference play.

Record: 19-5 | Last week: 6
Picked up a 57-48 victory over Bella Vista Prep (Scottsdale), paced by 15 points from four-star Arizona signee Jamari Phillips and 10 points apiece from five-star junior Vyctorius Miller and four-star senior Tru Washington.

Record: 27-4 | Last week: 7
Return to the court following a nine-day layoff to take on Bella Vista Prep (Scottsdale) in a highly anticipated in-state showdown. The Eagles biggest win of the season came last month against No. 2 Prolific Prep.



Record: 24-5 | Last week: 8
After finishing the SIAA regular season with one loss, DME Academy swept Victory Rock Prep (Sarasota) with 73-37 and 75-70 victories last week. The SIAA regular season champion takes on Central Pointe Christian Academy (Kissimmee) in a three-game series in the SIAA semifinals.

Record: 13-8 | Last week: 9
Bounced back from a bad loss with a 69-61 victory over Centerville (Ohio), paced by a game-high 20 points from both Marquette signee Zaide Lowery and junior Tybo Bailey. The Lakers have five games remaining in regular-season play culminating with three NIBC contests, including matchups with No. 4 Sunrise Christian Academy and No. 6 AZ Compass Prep.

Record: 13-10 | Last week: 10
Kansas State signee R.J. Jones led the way with 18 points, 12 assists and six steals in a 107-66 blowout of Layton Christian Academy (Layton). The Eagles have a 2-7 record against nationally ranked opponents this season with key wins over No. 5 IMG Academy and No. 6 AZ Compass Prep.