by Alex Schwartz

Yesterday evening i went to Florida Atlantic University for a pair of big-time high school hoops games featuring four of Florida's finest teams. The first matchup was #11 Montverde Academy against Sagemont School and was on ESPNU. The second affair, which was on ESPN2, pitted #10 Winter Park against Pine Crest (rankings are from most my recent National High School Top 25).

In game one, Sagemont School kept it close throughout and even took the lead at points, but Montvere Academy came away with a 57-52 victory. The Eagles were led by Steve Moundou-Missi '11, who had 22 points for the victors. Rod Days '11 had 28 for the Lions in defeat.

The biggest name in the game was Fab Melo '10, a Syracuse-bound 7'0 center who is ranked #10 in Northstar Basketball's Class of 2010 Terrific 125. The Brazilian struggled from start to finish though, ending with just 10 points and was saddled with foul trouble that began early on. Frank Snow '10, at 6'10, was solid in the post while Melo was out, but does not have the offensive repertoire of Melo.

Rod Days was outstanding for Sagemont though, as the 6'6 small forward showed a versatile game, scoring in a number of ways. Days hit a number of threes and also wowed the crowd with some athletic dunks. Indiana-signee Will Sheehey '10 was up and down for Adam Ross' squad, but showed a smooth stroke.

For Montverde Academy, it was all about Steve Moundou-Missi and Villanova-signee James Bell '10. Moundou-Missi came into the game as a relative unknown, but he likely will begin to garner more college interest now. He listed Vanderbilt, Stanford, Virginia Tech, Yale, Central Florida, and Florida Atlantic as the schools recruiting him. Bell struggled from beyond the arc, but his athletic ability was evident, and he also did a quality job defending Melo, depite being seven inches shorter.

Kaleb Clyburn '10, who recently decomitted from Central Connecticut State, was stellar running the point for the Eagles. Boston College-bound Papa Samba Ndao '10 played well too, displaying an inside-outside game that should work well in Al Skinner's system.

Haukur Palsson '10, from Iceland, was solid for Kevin Sutton's team too, and he is considering Maryland, South Florida (offer), Central Florida, and Wyoming according to the coach. Palsson is visiting Maryland on Sunday and it looks like he may be visiting the other three as well. That is when his offers will likely come said Sutton. The 6'6 wing said that he does not have a favorite at this time.

Check back soon for my recap of the second game, Winter Park vs. Pine Crest, which was the main attraction on the night.

Note- photo is of Rod Days and is from http://scouthoops.scout.com/