Hoop Hall Classic Montverde vs Prolific Prep Game Reacap
For the First time ever a game featured the number 1 ranked sophomore (Tyran Stokes), Junior (AJ Dybntsa,) and senior (Cooper Flagg). This game will definitely be remembered as one of the best games of the year. It featured Number…
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Continue ReadingFor the First time ever a game featured the number 1 ranked sophomore (Tyran Stokes), Junior (AJ Dybntsa,) and senior (Cooper Flagg). This game will definitely be remembered as one of the best games of the year. It featured Number 1 ranked in the Country Montverde Academy, and number 7 ranked Prolific Prep. This was also a homecoming game for AJ Dybntsa and Cooper Flagg. Cooper is from Maine and AJ is from Massachusetts, and the game took place at the Hoop Hall classic in Springfield. So many college and NBA coaches were in attendance.
Starters for Montverde Academy were Robert Wright the third, Cooper Flagg, Asa Newel, Derik Queen, and Liam McNeeley. For Prolific Prep the Starters were Mikey Lewis, Zoom Diallo, Tyran Stokes, AJ Dybantsa and Aiden Sherrell. 12 players who were ranked in the ESPN top 100 were playing in this game. Star Darian Reed was out for Prolific Prep with a knee injurie.
Game recap:
Derik Queen scored the first field goal of the game in transition with an up and under finish. Derik Is a very strong built 6-9 big man. He is more of a typical big man, and was tough to stop on the low block in the game. Cooper Flagg showed how he is one of the defenders coming out of high school in a long time. He had three blocks in the first quarter and 6 blocks in the game. He made Star AJ Dybantsa struggle to get his shot off in the first half. In the Second half when Prolific was able to get Cooper switched from AJ, AJ was able to take advantage. Cooper had 2 huge fast break dunks in the first half, showing off his athleticism Liam McNeeley had a huge game. He hit 3 threes in the first half, and was able to score at the rim, including a high flying dunk in the lane. Liam is definitely one of the top players in the country. For Prolific Prep one player who stood out shooting was Winters Grady. He is an excellent shooter off the catch. He had three threes in the first half, and can really get hot from the outside. He moves so well without the ball, and has such a quick smooth releases. Grady is probably the best shooter for the Prolific team. He can get his shot off against defenders of any size. AJ Dybantsa had a few nice plays in the first half, including one floater in the lane over 6-10 cooper Flagg, and a strong and 1 finish. Mikey Lewis had some tough finishes in the game, including one in the lane over 6-10 Asa Newell. Cooper Flagg made a three at the end of the first half to put Montverde ahead going into halftime 41-32.
In the second half Tyran Stoke started with a huge baseline drive leading to a big dunk. Robert Wright also had tough finish through contact to start the half. Then after Wright got a steal in the back court leading to a layup. In the second half Dybantsa came alive with some finishes at the rim, an athletics dunk, and a and 1 three. To end the third quarter Cooper had a big block, the was caught by Aiden Sharell who put it back with the dunk. Prolific Prep came back in the game to cut the lead to 2 points late in the 4th. Then Curtis Givens hit a big three to seal the win, and Zoom Diallo came down with a layup, but it was too late for Prolific to comeback. Prolific missed a bunch of free throws late in the game, that could have changed the outcome. Montverde won the heavy weight bout 76-71.
Notable Standouts and stats from the game
Montverde Academy:
Cooper Flagg: 15 points, 10 rebounds and 6 blocks
Cooper is the number 1 ranked prospect in the class of 2024, and he is very much living up to his status. He could very well be the number one pick in the NBA draft in 2025. He excels on defense. Maybe the best defender coming out of high school in a long time. He is such good shot blocker, on ball and coming from the weakside. He alters every shot, and it is so tough to score on him. At 6-10 he can play point forward. He is an excellent passer. He is athletic, and is continuing to add to his finishing skills at the rim.
Liam McNeeley; 22 points, 4-5 from three.
The Indiana Commit had a huge game, and was named player of the game. He is a 6-6 inside out forward. He is a very good three pointer, and showed that in the game. He can also finish well at the rim, and showed his athleticism with 2 big dunks. HE can defend position 1-5 on defense.
Derik Queen: 18 points, 6 rebounds, and 7-11 from the field
Derik plays old school over power you down low style. He is 6-9 and will control the block and the glass. He finishes really well through contact, and is tough to move around. He is the highest uncommitted 2024 prospect, and I hope nobody undervalues a tradition big man for todays game style.
Robert Wright: 11points, 5 rebounds,
Robert is a true Point Guard. True point Guards can be hard to find these days. Robert has such a high basketball IQ, and makes everyone around him better. He had a very good steal in the backcourt leading to an easy layup, and some tough finishes at the rim. Robert is also a very good passer. He is committed to Baylor.
Curtis Givens: 9 points 3 assists
Curtis had a big three late in the game to seal the victory for Montverde. He is athletic, can play on or off the ball, and can impact the game in many ways. He is on such a loaded team, but should not go under the radar.
Prolific Prep:
Winters Grady:
12 points, 4 for 7 from three
Grady had three threes in the first half. He is a light out three point shooter. He can get his shot off against defenders of all sizes. He moves without the ball so well. He has a quick release and a smooth shot. Shooters are always needed, so Grady should definitely be highly recruited.
Zoom Diallo
10points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists
Zoom is a high level Guard. He is so good at changing speeds and playing at multiple speeds. He can stop on a dime, and made some tough finishes during the game. He is one of the top playmaking Guards in the class of 2025. Can be a scorer or a facilitator. He is not a player that you worry about turnovers with.
AJ Dybantsa
21 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists.
AJ is the Number 1 ranked Junior for a reason. He lived up to the hype in this game. He is trending to be an NBA lottery pick. He is a 6-8 versatile Guard. He has so athletic, and is such a good playmaker in the open floor. He has the perfect game for todays style of basketball. He made some tough finishes at the rim in the game, and a huge and 1 three pointer. When attacking downhill he is so tough to stop. He also showed his passing skills in this game. AJ is continuing to build his frame. and sky is the limit for his game.
Aidan Sherrell
9 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 block
Aidan had a highlight real dunk, where he caught a blocked shot from Cooper Flagg and threw down a huge dunk. He could improve his outside shooting, but he is a very good finisher from the block and off the dribble.
Tyran Stokes
12 points, 6 rebounds, 2 block
Tyron is the number 1 ranked sophomore and definitely deserving of that. Tryan loves to attack off the dribble, and does a great job drawing contact. He is a super strong built, and had a huge bassline drive for a monster slam. Stokes is only a sophomore so watch out when he gets to his senior year.