In the biggest game of the 2020-21 high school basketball season, the Eagles were able to prevail using a strong third quarter effort to propel them to victory.
The highly anticipated contest was tied up 33-33 at the half before Montverde opened the second half on a 7-0 run. They never trailed again, taking control behind a 20-9 third quarter.
Despite the Buffaloes best comeback efforts in the fourth quarter, the Eagles were able to hold on for the win. Senior point guard
Ryan Nembhard sealed the game with 33 seconds remaining, knocking down a dagger three to extend Montverde's lead to six points after the Buffaloes cut the deficit to 55-52 with just over a minute remaining.
The signature victory stretches the Eagles win streak to 35 games dating back to the start of last season as the defending national champions move to 10-0 on the year.
Sunrise Christian Academy drops to 6-1 on the year, while both programs have to bounce back from the high octane showdown quickly as a brutal St. James NIBC Invitational schedule includes matchups with No. 2 IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.), No. 9 Legacy Early College (Greenville, S.C.), No. 10 La Lumiere (La Porte, Ind.), No. 11 Wasatch Academy (Mt. Pleasant, Utah) and No. 15 AZ Compass Prep (Chandler, Ariz.) for both teams. Montverde Academy is also scheduled to take on No. 13 Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.).
Dariq Whitehead led all scorers finishing with 18 points to go along with eight rebounds,
Jalen Duren chipped in 13 points, six rebounds and four blocks.
