IMG Academy, Montverde Academy advance in 2022 GEICO Nationals
FORT MYERS, Fla. - Montverde Academy began its quest for back-to-back GEICO National Championships on the right foot with a back-and-forth 72-63 win over AZ Compass Prep (Arizona) on Thursday.
The Eagles (21-4) came into the game ranked No. 4 in the SBLive/SI power 25 national rankings.
The Eagles were led by senior forward Malik Reneau who finished with a game-high 19 points and eight rebounds. Texas signee Dillon Mitchell added 14 points, including a few vicious dunks. Duke signee Dariq Whitehead and Indiana signee Jalen Hood-Schifino each finished with 12 points.
The Dragons were led by junior guard Kylan Boswell and senior guard Chance Westry who each finished with 13 points.
The opening eight minutes featured multiple lead changes as the Dragons took a 19-18 lead heading into the second quarter.
“The key to our success is when we share the ball,” said Montverde Academy head coach Kevin Boyle.
The Eagles had five players finish in double figures, while the Dragons had just two reach double digits.
The Eagles will face IMG Academy in the semifinals on Friday at 2:30 p.m. ET on ESPN2. It will be the third meeting between the two national powers this season. The Ascenders won the first two meetings.
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IMG Academy 76, La Lumiere 51
IMG Academy, ranked No. 3 in the SBLive/SI Power 25, is onto the GEICO Nationals semifinals for the first time since 2019, when they won the national championship.
The Ascenders led wire-to-wire in the 76-51 win over No. 7 La Lumiere (Indiana) behind a 23-point performance from University of Houston signee Jarace Walker. Baylor signee Keyonte George added 22 points and Eric Dailey Jr. finished with 17.
George came out hot, scoring 10 of his team’s first 13 points. After the first eight minutes, IMG Academy had a commanding 26-11 lead - and the Ascenders did not look back.
The Lakers were led by Miami (Ohio) signee Ryan Mabrey who scored a team-high 15 points. Kansas State signee Taj Manning added 14 points.
“It’s never easy trying to beat a team three times in one year,” IMG Academy head coach Sean Macloon said after the game. “They are here for the same reason we are, so we have to bring our focus.”
“It almost feels like a little rival when you’re playing (Montverde),” IMG senior forward Jarace Walker said.
