Wasatch Academy Geico Nationals
In this article:
Coach Dave Evans makes his 2nd straight trip to The Geico Nationals. Last season he took Lone Peak High School, Utah as they almost pulled off an amazing upset. This year he takes a different team but they look to…
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Continue ReadingCoach Dave Evans makes his 2nd straight trip to The Geico Nationals. Last season he took Lone Peak High School, Utah as they almost pulled off an amazing upset. This year he takes a different team but they look to do the same thing and that is to upset a higher seed.
Wasatch Academy is the top team in the state and they will come in as the 6th ranked team in this national tournament. The Tigers have averaged 83 points per game as they boosted a 26-3 record. They have battled with teams all over the country from CA, FL, GA, MD, KS, IN, MO,NE, NV and their home state Utah. This season Wasatch Academy has traveled over 24, 000 miles. This team is battle tested and they will not be an easy out.
Wasatch Academy suffered it’s first loss of the season against Rancho Christian (26-6) a top 10 program in the state of California that features two of the top recruits in the country. Their second loss came to Vashon, MO (26-4) which is the number 1 team in the state of Missouri. The Tigers also lost in the final seconds against the number 2 team in the country in La Lumiere, IN (28-0) who is also in the the Geico National Tournament. The only other team in the tournament that Wasatch Academy played this year in Sunrise Christian Academy who the Tigers beat by 12 points.
Montverde Academy
The team that the Tigers will face in the 1st round will be the 3rd ranked team from Florida. The number 1 team in the state of Florida brings in a 19-2 record. Their two lone losses have come to a common opponent in La Lumiere. Monteverde lost in their 1st meeting to La Lumiere by 7 points and by 13 in their second meeting.
Monteverde has another common opponent in Rancho Christian were Monteverde pulled out a lopsided win 79-56 win. The other opponent they share in Sunrise Christian who they also beat 68-41.
Keys Players
The Tigers will matchup well size wise against Monteverde. They both have size and athleticism. There will be three players that could propel Wasatch Academy to an upset win:
Mikey Saunders the 5-10 PG 2020 electric athlete will have opportunities to get up and down the floor. He will have to dictate the pace and if he does he could be difficult to guard, especially in the open floor. Although he is a smaller guard he can play with taller PG’s. On the other hand bigger guards have a tough time staying in front of him.
Richie Saunders will have to knock down shouts when he is in. He is not the only 3 point threat that Wasatch Academy has but he is a player that will attract a lot of attention. If he can knock a few down it will open the floor up for everyone else.
Marvin “Tre” Williams will have to do what he does best and that is score and defend. He has been doing it all year in tough games and if he does it one more time they could have a shot in game 1. The University of Minnesota signee can play.
Other Players
These players will also have a major impact in the game as they have been consistent all year.
Mady Sisko 13 PPG & 9 RPG
Tristan Enaruana 11 PPG 7 5 RPG
Bernardo da Silva 8 PPG & 4 RPG
Leonardo Colimeiro 5 PPG & 5 RPG