MAIT 2023: Day 1 Preview and Matchups
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The Montverde Academy Invitational Tournament is here… Six teams from across the country will battle it out over the next three days to see who will take home the 20th Annual MAIT title. Prep Hoops Florida scouts Riley Sheppard and…
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Continue ReadingThe Montverde Academy Invitational Tournament is here… Six teams from across the country will battle it out over the next three days to see who will take home the 20th Annual MAIT title. Prep Hoops Florida scouts Riley Sheppard and Ross Van De Griek will be on the grounds of Montverde Academy today through Saturday for the event. Here is everything you need to know about Day 1 of the event.
Durango (Nevada) vs Riviera Prep- Thursday at 3:00pm: Our first matchup of the 20th Annual Montverde Academy Invitational Tournament features the Durango TrailBlazers (12-3) who will be making their way from Las Vegas and their first appearance in the event. The TrailBlazers are currently ranked No. 1 in the state of Nevada across all classifications, according to the latest MaxPreps’ rankings. Keep an eye on 6’2 senior combo guard Tylen Riley Tylen Riley 6'2" | CG Durango | 2023 State NV , who just recently committed to Cal Baptist University for the TrailBlazers who is a facilitator on both the offensive and defensive ends of the floor. Another name to keep an eye on will be 6’6 junior shooting guard Taj DeGourville Taj DeGourville 6'4" | SF Red Rock Academy | 2024 State #203 Nation NV who can play multiple positions on the offensive end as well as be a hard-nosed defender. Last but not least keep an eye on 6’1 sophomore point guard Mason Brown Mason Brown 6'1" | PG Durango | 2025 CA-S who is ranked the top player in the state of Nevada for the sophomore class. Brown has a high basketball IQ and can control the game at his own pace, while rarely making a mistake on the floor.
On the other side, the Riviera Prep Bulldogs (16-5) come in ranked No. 2 in Class 3A and No. 11 across all classifications, according to the latest MaxPreps’ rankings. The workhorse of the offense for the Bulldogs is 6’5 sophomore small forward Dante Allen Dante Allen 6'5" | SF Riviera Prep | 2025 State #57 Nation FL is averaging 22.4 points and 7.5 rebounds per game, leading the team in both categories. Another name to keep an eye on will be 6’2 freshman guard Mason Fuentes Mason Fuentes 6'1" | PG Rivera Prep | 2026 State FL who is at his best when he is getting his teammates involved, leading the team averaging 3.9 assists per game. Also keep an eye on 6’3 senior guard Cooper Josefsburg who can light it up from the perimeter at a high rate, averaging nearly 9 three-point attempts per game.
Winner of this game will face St. Rita (Illinois) on Friday at 5:00 p.m., while the loser of this game will face the loser of Westminster Academy or Montverde Academy on Friday at 3:00 p.m.
Westminster Academy at Montverde Academy- Thursday at 7:15pm: In the nightcap of Day 1 at the 20th Annual Montverde Academy Invitational Tournament features two highly ranked in-state teams, as the Westminster Academy Lions (16-4) come into play with an 8-game winning streak and are currently ranked No. 3 in Class 3A, as well as No. 15 across all classifications, according to MaxPreps. Keep an eye on 6’4 sophomore guard Alex Lloyd who is the team’s leading scorer, averaging 19.2 points, 3.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game this season for the Lions. Lloyd gets it done on the defensive end as well, leading the team averaging nearly three steals per game. Another name to keep an eye on will be 6’7 freshman wing Alex Constanza as he is averaging 14.9 points and 7.2 rebounds per game for the Lions. Constanza can play multiple positions while on the floor and is at his best when he is finishing around the rim. Also keep an eye on 6’6 sophomore guard Dwayne Wimbley Dwayne Wimbley 6'6" | SG Dillard | 2025 State #175 Nation FL Jr. who can also play a variety of positions while on the floor. Wimbley is averaging 14.7 points, 6.2 rebounds and is shooting 48 percent from the field this season.
On the other side, the Montverde Academy Eagles (16-2) also come into play with an 8-game winning streak dating back to December 21 where they lost 56-55 to Mount St. Joseph (Maryland). Keep an eye on 6’9 junior forward Derik Queen Derik Queen 6'9" | PF Montverde Academy | 2024 State #18 Nation FL who has been viewed as a lob threat and a huge rim protector for the Eagles. He is coming off a huge performance at the Hoophall Classic where he averaged 19.0 points and 6.0 rebounds per game, where the Eagles went 2-0 with wins over La Lumiere (Indiana) and Sunrise Christian (Kansas). Another name to keep an eye on will be 6’8 junior forward Liam McNeeley Liam McNeeley 6'7" | SF Montverde Academy | 2024 State #14 Nation FL who is one of the best perimeter shooters you will see at this year’s Montverde Academy Invitational Tournament, as he is shooting at a 47 percent clip from beyond the arc this season. Also keep an eye on the nation’s No. 2 ranked sophomore in 6’7 small forward Cooper Flagg who comes into the tournament averaging 10.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 2.5 blocks per game.
Winner of this game will face Owyhee (Idaho) on Friday at 7:15 p.m., while the loser of this game will face the loser of Durango (Nevada) or Riviera Prep on Friday at 3:00 p.m.