By ADAM ZAGORIA
UNION, N.J. — The game didn’t live up to the hype.
Making the first of back-to-back appearances in New Jersey, Montverde (FL) Academy, No. 4 in the USA Today top 25, routed No. 11 Ranney, 89-51, in the Metro Classic at Kean University.
Montverde coach Kevin Boyle returned to his home state, where he led St. Patrick’s to five Tournament of Champions titles, and had no mercy against one of New Jersey’s top teams. Montverde will play Kentucky commit Kahlil Whitney and Roselle Catholic on Saturday night in its final game before the GEICO High School Nationals in April.
Junior shooting guard Moses Moody led Montverde with 20 points, including 6-of-6 from deep, and Cade Cunningham, the 6-foot-7 junior point guard, had 9 points, 6 assists and 3 rebounds.
“I think it’s huge, just playing for [Boyle],” Cunningham said. “He’s such a great coach, he wanted it and we wanted it because we have to get going for New York [Geico] so this is big for us.”
For Ranney, Florida-bound wing Scottie Lewis had 21 points on 6-of-14 shooting with 5 rebounds, 3 blocks and 2 assists. Villanova signee Bryan Antoine scored 13 points, all in the first half. He banged his left foot on a landing after attacking the basket and did not play in the second half, and said he may “possibly” get an X-ray over the weekend. He hopes to be back for the Shore Conference and state tournaments.
“It’s actually kind of weird because it’s the same foot I hurt my freshman year and I hurt it again,” Antoine said.
Montverde led 29-16 after one quarter and 54-31 at the half.
St. John’s coach Chris Mullin and his staff sat courtside for Montverde senior wing Precious Achiuwa (13 points, 6 rebounds), who is considering the Johnnies along with UNC, UConn and Kansas, among others.
Before the game, Achiuwa, Antoine and Lewis were all honored as McDonald’s All-Americans.
Follow Adam Zagoria on Twitter And like ZAGS on FacebookChris Mullin and the @StJohnsBBall staff is here at the @MetroClassic for @PreciousAchiuwa pic.twitter.com/px8uFMzvX4
— Adam Zagoria (@AdamZagoria) February 9, 2019
