Top Performers: Montverde Academy Invitational (Day 2)
Day No. 2 of the 15th annual Montverde Academy Invitational was in full swing on Friday.
Four more games were played with Findlay Prep and the host Montverde Eagles advancing to Saturday night’s title matchup.
Here are the top performers of the day.
RJ Barrett (Montverde)
Senior Duke commit RJ Barrett repeated his Thursday night performance with another 25-point outing on Friday in an 88-57 victory. He didn’t have as many dunks, but the 6’7″ senior had dominating moments including an 11-point second quarter. Barrett is a joy to watch and a student of the game.
Tre Mann (The Villages)
Tre Mann is getting better with each game. The 6’4″ junior guard went off for 32 points in a 92-61 loss to Miami Christian. It wasn’t the team performance that the Buffalo wanted, but Mann was having his way at times. He hit step back jumpers with ease and showed off his all-around game. Mann is a high ceiling.
Zach Scott (Westminster)
You might as well call Zach Scott, Mr. Clutch. The senior FGCU commit finished with 24 points in an 82-80 win over Pennsylvania Abington Senior. Scott netted the game-winner on a drive to the rack with 12.6 seconds left. At 6’3″, he has the smoothness and smarts to go far.
Jaelen House (Shadow Mountain)
A pure shooter and playmaker, Shadow Mountain junior guard Jaelen House had a really nice outing in a 83-74 semifinal loss to Findlay Prep. He dropped 26 points which included four 3’s, three coming in the third quarter as the Matadors rallied back. At 6’2″, he has enough skills overall to play Division I ball.
Neftali Alvarez (Miami Christian)
Dishing out assists and running the offense are just two things that Neftali Alvarez does well. The 6’2″ senior had 20 points as Miami Christian finished with five players in double figures in a big win over The Villages. Alvarez does all the little things right and he makes it fun to watch fundamentally sound basketball.
Sam Griffin (Westminster)
Tied with his backcourt mate Scott, junior guard Sam Griffin had 24 points in his best game of the week. he found his stride from beyond the arc and got most of his drives to the rack to go. At 6’2″, Griffin is a high IQ player who buys into any system he plays in. He’s settling in well at Westminster after coming over from Norland.
Kobe Julien (Madison Prep)
Madison Prep has been built around Kobe Julien this week. The 6’6″ forward scored 20 points and was the most consistent piece for his side in the loss to Montverde. Headed to UL-Lafayette next fall, Julien is a superb athlete. He is strong and tough minded.
Jeffery Hernandez (Miami Christian)
It was Jeffery Hernandez who finished as the Victors top scorer with 22 points in the victory over The Villages. At 6’5″, he likes to find openings in transition and knock down outside shots. Hernandez is a well-formed shooter who works well with Alvarez and Co.
Eric Dixon (Abington Senior)
The Galloping Ghosts is one of the best nicknames in all of sports. Eric Dixon, a 6’7″ junior forward is the face of this young Abington group. He finished with 31 points as he drove the lane time and time again. He was paced by teammates Robert Heath (20 points) and Xavier Monroe (12 points). Dixon has the makings of a nice Division I power forward.
Antonio Reeves/Jalen Blacksher (Shadow Mountain)
Along with House, Antonio Reeves and Jalen Blacksher are explosive and sound as shooters. They both had 19 points in the loss to Findlay Prep. Reeves, a 6’4″ junior stretched the floor from outside a bunch while Blacksher, a 6’1″ junior made it known he loves going inside for buckets.
Bol Bol (Findlay Prep)
It was foul trouble all around for the Findlay Prep bigs but Bol Bol powered through to a 15-point performance despite three first half fouls. He had a nice second quarter that featured 10 points. The 7’3″ senior big man always hustles on the attack and he has a ton of energy.
Dudley Blackwell (Westminster)
The Lions need a big man to take control and that is exactly what sophomore Dudley Blackwell did today. The 6’7″ guard/forward added 19 points in the win over Abington Senior. In talking to him after the game, he made it known he wants to play point guard at the next level. He certainly has the handles and jumper. He has a lot of untapped potential and is a crucial piece for this Westminster group.