Written By Paul Garwood

On Saturday night, Montverde Academy (Montverde, Fla.), the top-ranked team, secured their sixth City of Palms Classic championship by defeating Long Island Lutheran (Brookville, N.Y.), ranked second, in a wire-to-wire victory with a score of 73-59. The Eagles' dominance in the tournament has been evident in their previous victories in the City of Palms Classic in 2012, 2013, 2016, 2019, and most recently, 2021.

In the victory, Montverde Academy, guided by the highly ranked Duke signee Cooper Flagg, showcased an impressive performance with 21 points, 14 rebounds, four blocks, and three steals. Adding to the team's success, Liam McNeeley, an Indiana signee, contributed 15 points and five rebounds.

In the Crusaders' defeat, V.J. Edgecombe, a standout senior prospect, demonstrated his prowess by leading the team with an impressive 20 points and seven rebounds. Ranked among the top 10 prospects, Edgecombe showcased his exceptional skills on the court.