Montverde Claims 2023 GEICO High School National Champions

By Michael Wholey 4/6/23 8:00 PM EST   Montverde Academy used a big second half comeback to defeat Long Island Lutheran 60-54 to win the 2023 GEICO High School National Championship and claim their 2nd consecutive title as the # 1 high school team in the country!     After defeating Westtown out of West Chester, PA in the semi-finals, Montverde Academy defeated Long Island Lutheran 60-54 to win the 2023 GEICO High School Nationals Championshipand claim their 2nd consecutive title as the # 1 high school team in the country and concluding their season with a 26-1 record! Trailing by 14 at half 34-20, Montverde staged a huge second half comeback outscoring LuHi 40-20 in the 2nd half.      <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2022/06/DSC-0204.jpg?w=683" alt="" class="wp-image-453828" width="309" height="463" /></figure>   The star of the game was [player_tooltip player_id='142823' first='Sahnya' last='Jah'] who scored 15 of her game-high 20 points in the second half to spark the comeback. Jah did it from all areas of the court, playing aggressive defense and being a major force on both the offensive and defensive boards.  Jah played inside and out and was impactful in all aspects of the game.  She was extremely efficient from the field, and really helped spark some energy into her team to overcome a slow first half and roar back in the second half. She finished the game shooting 8/14 from the field and 4/5 from the free throw line.      While Jah did it both inside and out, [player_tooltip player_id='245281' first='Cori' last='Allen'] and [player_tooltip player_id='219934' first='Rusne' last='Augustinaite'] were extremely effective from the perimeter.  After a cold first half and just one 3-pointer, the duo knocked down five 3-pointers in second half. With under 13 seconds left, LuHi trailed 57-54 but Jah sealed the victory with an offensive rebound off of a [player_tooltip player_id='434911' first='Vivian' last='Iwuchukwu'] missed free throw, scoring and completing a three-point play by making the basket and sinking the free throw to secure the 60-54 win.      South Carolina-bound Jah was the Most Valuable Player finishing as the team's leading scorer with 20 points. And Allen, who signed with Illinois, scored 15 points, and collected 11 rebounds for her double-double was named to the All-Tournament Team.     On the season, Montverde has secured themselves as the team to beat, winning back-to-back national championships having gone 46-4 (26-1 in 2022-23 and 20-3 in 2021-22).  Playing the who's who of all the top teams in all the top tournaments, Montverde played just 12 games vs teams from Florida and knocked off the # 2 team Long Island Lutheran twice, # 7 Sidwell Friends, # 11 The Webb School, and the 3A, 4A, and 6A FHSAA State Champs.      Montverde's class of 2023 will go down as one of the most talented and powerful classes in the history of girl's basketball with all six signing high major D1 scholarships.    [player_tooltip player_id='219934' first='Rusne' last='Augustinaite'] – Georgia Tech   [player_tooltip player_id='245281' first='Cori' last='Allen'] – Illinois   [player_tooltip player_id='446208' first='Jordy' last='Griggs'] - Kentucky   [player_tooltip player_id='142823' first='Sahnya' last='Jah'] – South Carolina   [player_tooltip player_id='219933' first='Mjracle' last='Sheppard'] – Mississippi State   Lety Vasconcelos - Baylor     <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2022/11/Montverde-Prospects.jpeg?w=822" alt="" class="wp-image-553293" width="365" height="454" /></figure>   The balanced 2023 class had the perfect balance of 6'7 Lety Vasconcelos to hold down the interior.  Consistently being a major foce on the boards and as a shot blocker while shooting a high percentage from the field in the paint.   [player_tooltip player_id='219933' first='Mjracle' last='Sheppard'] was their most steady and consistent performer all season, running the point guard position and often guarding the team's best player.  She handled the rock, distributed the ball, and selective found opportunities to attack off the dribble and knock down open shots.    [player_tooltip player_id='446208' first='Jordy' last='Griggs'] started and came off the bench all throughout the season providing the team length and perimeter shooting from the wing.  She consistently showcased her ability to knock down open shots as well as put the ball to the floor from the wing and the baseline and use her length and athleticism on the defensive end.        <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2022/12/Cori-Allen-Montverde.jpg?w=555" alt="" class="wp-image-572875" width="181" height="334" /></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='245281' first='Cori' last='Allen'] really came on strong on the second half of the season and was a reliable perimeter shooter and extremely consistent on the offensive end.  She mainly played off the ball showcasing her outside shooting, mid range jumper, and ability to attack off the bounce and get to the rim.      [player_tooltip player_id='219934' first='Rusne' last='Augustinaite'] confidence and deadly 3-point shooting was on performance in the biggest stage in the second half of the championship game.  She showed why you cannot leave her open and why she is one of the top players in the class of 2023.  Having been at Montverde for three seasons, her confidence grew each year.  She really helped Montverde spread the floor and keep teams honest and was one of the team's emotional leaders.      [player_tooltip player_id='142823' first='Sahnya' last='Jah'] always stepped up in the teams biggest moments and versus the toughest competition.  At 6'2, she played wing, forward, center and it did not matter who she went up against, she was always the toughest and most aggressive player in the paint.  A versatile offensive player, she played inside and out and was constantly a factor on the boards.      With these 6 graduating, look for [player_tooltip player_id='434911' first='Vivian' last='Iwuchukwu'], Chloe Sotell, and [player_tooltip player_id='742509' first='Lourdes' last='Da Silva Costa'] to keep the momentum going and work to keep Montverde on top at # 1.  With Head Coach Special Jennings leading the charge, the cubbard won't stay bare long.  As the saying goes, we don't rebuild, we reload – look for a whole new crop of top prospects to come in and try and help Montverde defend their crown next time.  Whether they will be able to or not, remains the question, but it was sure fun to watch what this group did the last two seasons!     Michael Wholey is the lead scout for Florida Prep Girls Hoop Florida and a former division one Assistant Coach at American University, University of Memphis, and Georgia Tech.  Wholey and the rest of the Prep Girls Hoop staff, seek to cover the entire state of player, keeping subscribers up to date with player evaluations, recruiting info, and statewide news.  Our audience often supplies us with some of our best information.  If you have any information on players, teams, or statewide news in the state of Florida, emailing Michael Wholey at WholeyPrepHoops@gmail.com or DM him through Twitter or Instagram @WholeyPrepHoops.

By Michael Wholey 4/6/23 8:00 PM EST