Montverde Academy routs Archbishop Carroll (Pa.) in City of Palms Classic matchup

Despite losing its entire starting five from last year’s national championship team, Montverde Academy has reloaded and is still among the nation’s best high school basketball teams.

They flexed their muscles on Wednesday night in the first round of the City of Palms Classic, rolling to a 96-77 win over Archbishop Carroll (Pa.)

The Eagles, ranked No. 11 nationally in the On3 Composite High School Basketball Ranking, improved to 4-1, with their only loss coming to Brewster Academy (N.H.) on Sunday. Montverde was held to just 47 points in that one, but exploded against Carroll by scoring 43 in the first half alone.

They held a six-point lead going into the break after shooting 18/30 (60%) from the field. But the game really broke open in the third quarter as Montverde stretched its lead to 68-50 behind the play of senior shooting guard Dante Allen. The Villanova signee finished the night with 30 points and six rebound on 12/16 shooting from the field.

Leading by 18 going into the fourth, the Eagles added another big quarter with 28 points to hold off an rally attempts from Carroll.

Montverde finished with a whopping 58 points in the paint and 20 fast-break points. They outrebound Carroll 39-30 and dished out 23 assists compared to just 11 turnovers.

In addition to Allen’s 30-point night, Florida commit CJ Ingram pitched in 13, Hakeem Weems added 12, and both Hudson Greer (Creighton signee) and Trent Sisley (Indiana signee) scored nine to aid in the offensive outburst.