Montverde Academy was led by top-ranked Duke signee
Cooper Flagg, who finished with a game-high 21 points, 14 rebounds, four blocks and three steals. Indiana signee
Liam McNeeley tallied 15 points and five rebounds in the victory.
The Eagles raced ahead 9-0 to start the contest getting four points from LSU signee
Curtis Givens and five from McNeeley in the opening two minutes.
Montverde Academy players celebrate after winning their third game in three days to capture the City of Palms Classic. (Photo: Eugene Alonzo)
Montverde maintained its lead at 23-14 at the end of the first quarter, extended it to 40-28 at the half and 59-46 at the end of the third period.
Long Island Lutheran clawed some ground back in the fourth quarter to get within 64-55 on a
Kiyan Anthony 3-pointer with approximately a little over four minutes remaining before the Eagles responded with a decisive 8-0 run.
Flagg knocked down a pair of free throws before McNeeley converted a left-handed layup through contact with three minutes remaining. Five-star Georgia signee
Asa Newell then converted a layup on the next offensive possession before Flagg knocked down another pair of free throws to give the Eagles a comfortable 72-55 lead late in the contest.
Top 10 senior prospect
V.J. Edgecombe finished with a team-high 20 points and seven rebounds in the loss for the Crusaders.
Montverde Academy (14-0) returns to the court on Jan. 5 when it faces MaxPreps Top 25 No. 7
Gonzaga (Washington, D.C.) at the Maine Event.
Long Island Lutheran (8-1) looks to bounce back against
Roselle Catholic (Roselle, N.J.) next week at the Jordan Holiday Classic.
Top-ranked Duke signee Cooper Flagg produced a team-high 21 points in the victory for Montverde Academy. (Photo: Eugene Alonzo)
