Adam Zagoria covers basketball at all levels. He is the author of two books and an award-winning journalist whose articles have appeared in ESPN The Magazine, SLAM, Sheridan Hoops, Sports Illustrated, Basketball Times and in newspapers nationwide.
NEW YORK — Monteverde Academy (FL) coach Kevin Boyle and his team will defend their championship in the DICK’s Sporting Goods High School National Tournament after defeating Huntington Prep (W.V.), 56-51, on Friday at Christ the King High School.
Montverde will face Oak Hill Academy in the championship game at noon on Saturday at Madison Square Garden.
For Boyle, it is the third straight year he’s led Montverde into the finals of this event, previously known as the ESPN National High School Invitational.
ARLINGTON, Texas — New South Florida coach Orlando Antigua may hire his brother, Oliver, as an assistant on his staff, which would then open up a spot on Kevin Willard’s staff at Seton Hall for Lincoln coach Dwayne “Tiny” Morton.
“We’d love to have that opportunity if it works,” Orlando said of hiring his brother, according to the AP.
NEW YORK — After trailing by 10 points at halftime and as many as 14 in the second half, Oak Hill Academy completed a tough comeback, led by twin brothers Cody and Caleb Martin, to defeat Findlay Prep in the semifinal round of the DICK’S Sporting Goods High School National Tournament, 64-56, at Christ the King High School.
Oak Hill will meet defending NHSI champion Montverde (FL) Academy in the championship game Saturday at Madison Square Garden. The game will tip at noon on ESPN.
The Martin brothers, who are heading to play for coach Mark Gottfried at North Carolina State next year, combined for 35 of their team’s 64 points in the victory. Cody finished with 22 points, 20 of which came in the second half, and six rebounds while Caleb had 13 points and forced five important steals that started the comeback in the third quarter.
Cauley-Stein has an ankle injury and told Tucker he isn’t sure if it’s a stress fracture or not.
“I’m still figuring out if I want to give it a try or not,” he told Tucker. “There’s always a possibility. It’s kind of up to me and my family if I want to give it a try or not.”
Fairleigh Dickinson beat both Rutgers and Seton Hall last season, and head coach Greg Herenda clearly has the program on the upswing.
On Friday, FDU scored a player from New Jersey’s winningest high school program when Marques Townes of Tournament of Champions winner St. Joe’s-Metuchen pledged to FDU. Herenda and assistant Bruce Hamburger were at the TOC final last month, when Townes went for 11 points as St. Joe’s edged Newark East Side, 49-47.
“The FDU staff was real great and welcomed me with open arms,” Townes told SNY.tv. “They wanted me there and I want to go to a place where I’m wanted and I’ll be able to have a lot of playing time as a freshman.”