Nike Peach Jam: Nightrydas Elite wins 15U national championship
2022 guard Jean Montero poured in 26 points to lead Nightrydas Elite to an 83-69 victory over Team Final, of Pennsylvania, Sunday in the 15U championship game at the Nike Peach Jam in North Augusta, S.C.
The 6-foot-3 Montero, who attends DME Academy in Daytona Beach, connected on 10 field goals and 6 free throws. 2022 JaCari Henderson (Sanford Seminole) knocked in 18 points and 2022 Gregg Glenn III (Fort Lauderdale Calvary Christian) had a double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds.
"I [am] feeling so good because I never think that was to be," said Montero (pictured above), who played for his native Dominican Republic at the recent FIBA Worlds. "I feel so proud of my guys."
The Nightrydas went 5-1 over the course of the 2019 Peach Jam, losing only to Team Melo. Nightrydas defeated fellow-Florida squad E1T1, 77-72, in the semifinals and Team Takeover, 80-69, in the quarterfinals on Saturday.
The national title is the second for coach Boobie Francis, who won a 17U championship in 2013 with E1T1.
Nightrydas had defeated Team Final, 91-58, earlier in the week and Francis said they discussed how difficult it is to beat a team the second time.
"I think it was the defense," said Montero, of the key to the game. "The defense was great."
The offense wasn't bad either. The 6-1 Henderson flashed his leaping ability with several high-flying dunks. He also got to the line often, making 10 free throws on the day.
6-11 2022 center Elhadji Moth Seck (DME) outplayed his counterpart in the middle -- 7-foot Derek Lively II (Westtown School) -- with 10 points and 5 rebounds. Jett Howard (Davie University School) scored 8 points before being injured in the second half and 6-7 Justin Abson (North Broward Prep) contributed with 8 big rebounds.
Team Final's last lead in the game was at 30-28 with 2:46 left in the first half. Nightrydas led 40-35 at the break and broke it open in the second half.
Jameel Brown (Haverford School) led Team Final with 22 points. He scored 10 of his points at the free-throw line. Otega Oweh (Rutgers Prep) added 12.
If you have high school or travel basketball news, you can reach Pat Lammer via Twitter at @PLamRecruiting or through e-mail at PatALammer@Gmail.com
