Chris Egi Lift’s Crown: MVA 18-0

The Montverde Academy (Fla.) Eagles were not going to lose in the Bass Pro Tournament of Champions title game two years in a row.

After losing to Paul VI 69-67 in an overtime thriller last year, the Eagles returned to Springfield in 2014 and left with the Tournament of Champions crown.

Chris Egi pictured in the semi final slamming it down. Photo Courtesy of Ozone.

Chris Egi and his Montverde Eagles extended their unbeaten record to 18-0 by adding another trophy to their allready loaded trophy case. MVA took down Memphis (Tenn.) White Station 73-60 in the T of C title game Saturday night, a matchup of two teams ranked in the top 15 nationally by MaxPreps.

10,065 fans were on hand at JQH Arena for the championship game. The 3-day total was around 25,000, according to Springfield Publics School athletics director and T of C director Mark Fisher.

Canadian Chris Egi collected 13 points on 5-for-6 shooting. Egi is that type of big man that beats everybody up the floor. Perfect on both ends of a press. 6’9″ athlete whose athleticism can handle the full court press fantasticly. His athleticism makes his switches, constant guarding and staying in front of his man on defense easy and as a end result a luxury for his team.

Head coach Kevin Boyle recently told American media he is proud of the 17 year old that transferred to Montverde Academy from St. Andrews College in the greater Toronto area.

Montverde Academy head coach Kevin Boyle talks with Chris Egi.

Since arriving in Florida late last August, Coach Boyle has recently mentioned the Markham, Ontario native as the most improved player on his team.

News of a quick learning curve is music to the ears of Canadian supporters and the Harvard basketball brass. Harvard is where Egi will make contributions for the Crimson starting in September of 2014. Next stop for Egi and his Eagles is the 2014 HoopHall Classic.

The nations top ranked team has an early flight on Sunday to Springfield, MA where on Monday on ESPNU it will face no.6 Curie and its Mr.Basketball USA candidate center Cliff Alexander.

Montverde is great in transition but underneath doesn’t have the brute power defensively it did last season so it will be interesting to see how the Eagles slow down Alexander. Bets are Chris Egi will be instrumental. Either way they’ll also be playing against their second top 10 nationally ranked team in less then 36 hours half way across the country Has the makings of a intersting Monday.

Montverde 73, White Station 60

MV 19 13 17 24 — 73

WS 18 12 11 19 — 60