Montverde Academy Moves to # 1 in the Country
In this article:
Montverde Academy Moves to # 1 in the Country By Michael Wholey 12/22/20 5:00 PM EST Montverde Academy Varsity Girls Basketball team is turning into one of the country’s top programs and currently sits at # 1 in the country. …
Access all of Prep Girls Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingMontverde Academy Moves to # 1 in the Country
By Michael Wholey 12/22/20 5:00 PM EST
Montverde Academy Varsity Girls Basketball team is turning into one of the country’s top programs and currently sits at # 1 in the country.
Montverde Academy has long had a rich basketball tradition on the boy’s side consistently being ranked in the top 10 nationally and seeing a number of the program’s players go on to complete collegiately at high level schools as well as several of them landing in the NBA. Current college Freshman Cade Cunningham (Florida State), Scottie Barnes (Florida State), Day’Ron Sharpe (North Carolina), Moses Moody (Arkansas), and Zeb Jackson (Michigan) all suited up for Montverde last season helping them to a 25-0 record. The Montverde Boys program has won 4 National Championships since 2013-2015 and the history and culture of Montverde is rivaled by few. Head Coach Kevin Boyle has served as the head coach since 2011 and has coached NBA top five picks such as Ben Simmons, Joel Embiid, RJ Barrett, and D’Angelo Russell.
Well, the Montverde Varsity Boys team is once again at the top of the rankings, sitting at # 1 in the most recent Maxpreps standing at 4-0. And while the Boys program has consistently been a powerhouse, it seems now that the girl’s program is on the same path.
In 2016-17 former Arizona Assistant Coach EC Hill took over the helm for Montverde and helped them to a 14-7, then followed that up with a 19-3 and a 20-4 record before moving back to the college ranks currently serving as an Assistant Coach for Towson University. In 2019-20 former Florida Assistant Coach and WNBA star Laura Harper took over the program and assisted them to a 17-6 record before being named the Head Women’s Basketball Coach at Coppin State. Fast forward to this season and former University of Illinois Chicago Associate Head Coach Special Jennings and now leading the way for Montverde Academy and they stand at 11-0 and ranked # 1 in the country as well.
Going into the season, Montverde was ranked # 23 in the country in Maxpreps pre-season rankings. The team has steadily moved up the rankings moving up to # 15, # 12, # 5 and this week sits at # 1. Riding an 11-game winning streak, the Eagles are outscoring opponents by an impressive 32.5 points per game. COVID has made scheduling and participating in events with quality opponents a bit challenging with their closest contests coming against Braden River 75-66 American Heritage Plantation 59-46.
The November 19th matchup between Braden River and Montverde featured two of the state’s top prospects from the 2021 class who both signed with Montverde Academy. Braden River 5’5 Guard O’Mariah Gordon O’Mariah Gordon 5'6" | PG Braden River | 2021 State #27 Nation FL was impressive as always scoring 28 points on 10/18 shooting while fellow FSU signee Mariana Valenzuela Mariana Valenzuela 6'2" | PF Montverde Academy | 2021 State FL had a quiet night, and the Eagles were led by 2023 Rusne Augustinaite Rusne Augustinaite 5'10" | CG Montverde Academy | 2023 State FL who finished with 20 points including 5/7 from 3 while 2021 Furman signee 5’11 Wing Niveya Henley Niveya Henley 6'0" | SF Montverde Academy | 2021 State FL finished with 18 points.
In the December 8th matchup between Montverde Academy and American Heritage Plantation, the Eagles led by 6 heading into the 4th quarter and outscored AH 20-13 to seal the 59-46 victory. This time it was 2023 Mjracle Sheppard Mjracle Sheppard 5'8" | CG Montverde Academy | 2023 State FL and Mariana Valenzuela Mariana Valenzuela 6'2" | PF Montverde Academy | 2021 State FL who led the way with 14 points apiece and 2022 sharpshooter Fernanda Ovalle Fernanda Ovalle 5'11" | SF Montverde Academy | 2022 State FL who finishes with 12 points.
The squad is off until an out of state tournament January 1 and 2 where they will take on AZ Compass Prep (AZ) featuring guards LeeLee Willis, Kamryn Doty, Kam’Ren Rhodes, and forward Samara Curry and Forest Park (GA) featuring UT Arlington signee Olympia Chaney and University South Carolina signee Sania Feagin. Then on January 6 Montverde with face off against Lake Highland Prep who was selected as the pre-season # 1 team in the country and currently sits at # 4 nationally and # in Florida in a battle for both state and national bragging rights. That matchup will feature two of the country’s top front courts matching up Lake Highland Prep’s 2021 6’1 Forward Kayla Blackshear Kayla Blackshear 6'1" | PF Lake Highland Prep | 2021 State #61 Nation FL and 2022 Nyla Harris Nyla Harris 6'2" | PF Lake Highland Prep | 2022 State #34 Nation FL vs Valenzuela and 6’5 2022 post Fatima Diakhate Fatima Diakhate 6'6" | C Montverde Academy | 2022 State FL .
Top Players
2021 Mariana Valenzuela Mariana Valenzuela 6'2" | PF Montverde Academy | 2021 State FL 6’2 Forward is a Florida State signee and part of the Seminoles # 12 ranked recruiting class that includes fellow Floridian O’Mariah Gordon O’Mariah Gordon 5'6" | PG Braden River | 2021 State #27 Nation FL (Braden River) and Makayla Timpson (Early County HS) out of Georgia. Hailing from Mazatlan, Mexico, Valenzuela is considered one of the top Forwards in the country having extensive international experience with Mexico in a number of FIBA tournaments. FSU Head Coach Sue Semrau has this to say about Valenzuela “Mariana’s versatility is exceptional. Having coached many players with good size who can stick the three-point shot, we know the value and match-up problems that it brings. I admire the pure love of the game that Mariana has. She is diligent with her training and like many other international players that I’ve coached, she wants to play against the best, so that she can bring her best back to her home country. Like Izabela Nicoletti, she left her country to play high school basketball in the states. Her decision to leave Mexico at a young age shows her level of commitment to excellence.”
2021 Niveya Henley Niveya Henley 6'0" | SF Montverde Academy | 2021 State FL 6’0 Wing/Forward is a Furman signee who averaged 11 points and 5 rebounds last season at Montverde and previously played at Mt. Spokane High School in Washington and won a state championship as a Sophomore. She has been a consistent performer this year for the Eagles and seen an increase in her role on the offensive end under new head coach Special Jennings. Her future college Head Coach Jackie Carson has this to say about Henley “Niveya is a high-level shooter with a college ready stature,” Carson said. “As a 6-1 guard, she will be a matchup nightmare for opposing teams and one of the most versatile players on our team. She is a strong defender and will instantly elevate our defense with her strength and length. She has the ability to take us to great heights during her Furman career.”
2022 Fernanda Ovalle Fernanda Ovalle 5'11" | SF Montverde Academy | 2022 State FL is a 6’0 Guard originally from Chile who is one of the state’s top shooters. Like Valenzuela, she has extensive international experience competing in multiple events at the FIBA level including an impressive performance in the 2018 FIBA U18 Women’s America Championship. She is a smooth scorer who can knock it down from outside and helps space the floor and stretch the D, giving Montverde a balanced inside/outside attack.
2022 Maria Myklebust is 6’1 Forward originally from Norway. The faceup 4 gives Montverde excellent height and versatility where they can play Myklebust at the 3, 4, or 5. Like Ovalle and Valenzuela, Myklebust also has a good deal of international experience competing for her native Norway in several FIBA events. She is a great pick and pop player who can rebound on both ends of the floor. She is a hustle player who competes every possession and is willing to do the dirty work.
2022 Fatima Diakhate Fatima Diakhate 6'6" | C Montverde Academy | 2022 State FL is a 6’5 Forward/Center who transferred into Montverde Academy after spending last season in Canada in the Canadian National team development program and previously spending her Freshman season at Deerfield Beach in the Fort Lauderdale area. The 6’5 post is one of the countries most improved prospects displaying an ability to seal extremely hard and finish at the rim with both hands. She has very good hands with a light touch around the rim and has 15-foot range. She is a major interior presence who is a shot blocker around the rim and an impactful rebounder on both the offensive and defensive end. Her offensive game is consistently developing but she is a constant presence on the defensive end.
2023 Rusne Augustinaite Rusne Augustinaite 5'10" | CG Montverde Academy | 2023 State FL is a 5’11 dynamic scoring guard who hails from Lithuania. She is a 3-level scorer who can do it all. She has a high basketball IQ and is an offensive threat from every spot on the floor. With the ball in her hands, she can create her own shot off the bounce and knock down open 3’s. Her elevation on her jump shot allows her to shoot over the defense in the mid-range as well as finish at the rim. She is a willing and selfless teammate who gives up the ball freely to open teammates and is an overall explosive scorer who is a consistent threat and capable of going off for 20+ every night.
2023 Mjracle Sheppard Mjracle Sheppard 5'8" | CG Montverde Academy | 2023 State FL is a 5’10 point guard from Seattle, WA. She consistently pushes the ball in transition looking to play up tempo. She is a dangerous in the open court who can really score at the rim, on a floater or a mid-range pull up. Her IQ, court vision, and selfless play make her dangerous not only to score but also create shots for her teammates either dropping it off for easy lays up kicking it out for wide open 3s. She is a two-way player who plays hard on both ends of the floor and is a tremendous on ball defender. Off the ball, her effort and energy allow her to create havoc on the defensive end and she is very good running through passing lanes and getting deflections and steals.
The start of the 2020-21 season has been a roller coaster to date and who knows what 2021 has in store for these players, coaches and teams. Montverde currently sits at # 1 and has several big matchups to start the new year. We will be following the program and its players closely and keep you updated as the season progresses. In addition, we are looking to cover the entire state, if you would like us to do a preview or scouting report on your team, just email me at WholeyPrepHoops@gmail.com.