Anything less than a national title is a disappointment at Montverde, which means the Eagles enter 2016-17 with something to prove.
Video: Breaking down the Independent Top 10R.J. Barrett, Eagles look to get Montverde back on top.3. Montverde Academy (Montverde, Fla.)Head coach: Kevin Boyle (645-141 career record)
2015-16 record: 26-2, No. 7 national ranking
PLAYERS TO WATCHR.J. Barrett (6-6, So., G) … Led Montverde Academy in scoring as a freshman
Jake Betlow (6-2, So., G) … One of the top freshmen in New Jersey last season
Rechon Black (6-7, Jr., G) … Committed to North Carolina
Marcus Carr (6-2, Sr., G) … Native of Canada with several big time offers
Sandro Mamukelashvili (6-10, Sr., F) … Highly-touted addition from Republic of Georgia
Akol Maywin (6-8, Jr., F) … Newcomer has offer from TCU
Sean Mobley (6-8, Sr., F) … Committed to VCU
Andrew Nembhard (6-4, So., G) … Top 25 prospect in Class of 2019
Grant Shephard (6-9, Sr., F) … Led team to provincial title in British Columbia last year
Front row (L to R): Andrew Nembhard, Rechon Black, Marcus Carr. Back row (L to R): Head coach Kevin Boyle, Sean Mobley, R.J. Barrett, Grant Shephard, Sandro Mamukelashvili.
Photo by Andrew Bershaw
* There were some eyebrow-raising departures at Montverde over the summer. But after the dust settled, Boyle was left with a roster that more closely resembles his vintage teams going back to his days at St. Patrick in New Jersey. Last year's team was blessed with bigs and frontcourt length but this year's edition will be led by the backcourt of Barrett, Black, Carr and Nembhard.
* Canada has been very good to Montverde Academy in recent years. The 2015-16 team featured Class of 2018 Top 10 prospect Simi Shittu (who transferred to Vermont Academy) and Howard Washington. This year's squad includes four Canadians in Barrett, Carr, Nembhard and Shephard. Barrett – the No. 2 2019 prospect according to 247Sports – could be Boyle's next big star following the likes of Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Kyrie Irving and Ben Simmons.
KEY DATESNov. 19 – vs.
Pebblebrook (Mableton, Ga.)Dec. 16-21 – City of Palms Classic
Jan. 7 – vs.
Memphis East (Memphis, Tenn.) @ National Hoopfest
Jan. 12-14 – Bass Pro Shops Tournament of Champions
Jan. 16 – vs.
Bishop Montgomery (Torrance, Calif.) @ Spalding Hoophall Classic
Jan. 21 – vs.
Tampa Catholic (Tampa, Fla.) @ National Hoopfest
Feb. 2-4 – St. James Invitational
Look for an expanded preview of Montverde Academy on November 12.
