Tag Archives: Montverde Academy

Egi: ‘Can Be Better, Will Be Better’

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SPRINGFIELD, MA- Martin Luther King Jr. Day was a great day for Cliff Alexander [Curie (IL)] and for the reputation of Chicago basketball.

Kansas class of 2014 commit, Chicago native 6’9-240-pound Alexander was sensational in Curie’s 73-69 stunner of previously unbeaten Montverde (Fla.). A loss that ended a impressive two-year, 23-game winning streak for Montverde.

Alexander showed the nation he can shoot free throws (8-for-8) and pass out of double-teams while scoring 30 points, grabbing 12 rebounds and blocking five shots. He scored 13 points in the final five minutes and even made two clinching free throws with 17 seconds remaining.

Curie trailed by 12 points in the fourth quarter and still beat the nation’s No. 1 team. Condors came from behind with a 15-0 run after trailing 59-47 early in the fourth quarter.

Chris Egi vs Cliff Alexander

Among insiders entering this battle it was always a ‘David vs Goliath’ match up for Montverde’s lone Canadian Chris Egi. Markham, Ontario native Egi only scored 2 points despite being a double digit scoring threat all season long.

For example, Cliff Alexander entering Mondays showcase was a top-5 2014 class talent in America.

Egi was the 100th-best prospect and 11th-best center in the 2015 class. Recently Egi chose to reclassify into the class of 2014 and made himself eligible to play next season after commiting to Harvard.

In 2013-14 Egi has played well transitioning schools from north to south of the border. Coach Kevin Boyle recently mentioned Egi as the most improved player on his squad. One that consists of a collection of all-stars ranked No. 1 nationally by USA Today.

Montverde Academy head coach Kevin Boyle giving Chris Egi instructions.

 

About the Monday performance, Egi told Hoops Hype Canada reporters via text,

“Yeah it was a tough one he [Cliff Alexander] played great (and) we didn’t I didn’t” Egi admitted.

Also reiterating nothing to be concerned about,

“I can be better I will be better.”

 

 

Rematch Different Story?

Do you think Curie would of beaten Montverde, or perhaps Egi and his Eagles would’ve had a better performance if they didnt play 4 games in the same weekend?

Egi protecting the Canadian rim vs Team USA at the 2013 U19 World Championships.

Some food for thought…

Montverde did play 4 games in 5 days and had to travel from Missouri (Bass Pro Shop Championships) to Massachusetts (Spalding Hoop Hall Classic). Fresh off lifting a crown, 36 hours they went down to the wire in a showcase game on national television.

NCAA scout on the specific Egi vs Alexander matchup,

“You put him [Chris Egi] up against Cliff (Alexander) in different circumstances I don’t think Alexander would of dominted like he did.”

Adding “One thing ill say about Egi he is a great defender and is one of the reasons Montverde has been great all year, yesterday was not him.”

Hmmm

The Marathon continues for Montverde & Egi.

Follow Chris Egi on twitter during his  journey to Harvard and beyond.

Follow Montverde Basketball on twitter on their quest to a national championship.

Follow Hoops Hype Canada on twitter for round-the-clock coverage of Canadian hoops.

Eagles Enter #1, Egi Ready For Alexander

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Montverde has had a remarkably quick rise to the top of the high school basketball world under coach Kevin Boyle, now in his third year in Florida.

Montverde Academy head coach Kevin Boyle talks with Chris Egi during the team’s practice on on Thursday Nov. 14, 2013.

Fresh off a crown at the Pro Bass Shop Tournament of Champions earlier this weekend the Eagles arrive in Springfield, MA 18-0-0 and ranked No. 1 in the nation by USA Today ahead of Monday’s marquee clash with  Curie (Illinois). MVA destroyed Oak Ridge (Orlando) in their last game, 93-57, behind Bend Simmons’ 22 points and seem poised to put up a strong effort in this one.

Eagles are led by 5-star junior Ben Simmons, who is considered one of the better players in the Class of 2015 and also feature Markham, Ontario native & Harvard bound big man Chris Egi. On Martin Luther King Day Monday Egi will have the tall task of slowing down the Currie Condors elite power forward Cliff Alexander. Who is the No.3 overall player in the class of 2014. His condors are 13-1 and Cliff has been the catalyst for their success.

Montverde Academy’s Chris Egi lets out a scream after dunking the ball during their game against Abraham Lincoln High School.

Alexander dropped 29 points and 17 rebounds in his last outing, a 75-59 shellacking of North Chicago. He’s been absolutely terrifying for defenders to try and stop, something that has rarely happened this season.

This weekend marks both a challenge Chris relishes and a playing stage he will cherish. Texting from Florida Tuesday night Egi explained,

“I think its a blessing to be able to participate. Just to have a chance to go up against top notch talent from around the country. That competition is what the games all about and I love it. For me thats fun” said the future Crimson Tide who commmited to Harvard this past fall.

“In terms of Cliff (Alexander) he’s a great player. I respect his game and I’m just going to go out there and compete. I know he’ll do the same” said the former St.Andrew’s College and CIA Bounce stand out.

“Individually I just want to help win games” Egi reiterated. “But the event is about the team and not any individual match ups. We are having a great season as team, are undefeated and we just hope to continue that”

As for his first season off the court in Florida? Nicknamed the “Valedictorian” amongst Canadian basketball fans, get this, the team player and model student athlete owns a stellar 4.53 gpa and 97 percent average. Moving forward to the next level he is a physical player who competes with a ton of energy on both sides of the court and should be able to make an immediate impact for Harvard in the Ivy League.

Since taking his talents South Egi has only enhaced his reputation of soft hands, quick feet with tremendous instincts around the basket. Keep on going Chris, sky is the limit.