Topic: Basketball
2024BBCOPCMAB
. Columbus (FL) vs. Montverde Academy (FL) (Boys)
City of Palms Classic (Championship)
Florida Southwest State College
Ft. Myers, FL
December 23,2024
© 2025 by Ron Harrison
Columbus (FL) coach Andrew Moran started the following lineup: 6-8 Jr. Caleb Gaskins, 6-6 Jr. Jaxon Richardson, 6-10 Sr. Cameron Boozer, 6-1 Jr. Marcellous Jackson, and 6-5 Sr. Cayden Boozer. Montverde Academy (FL) coach Kevin Boyle countered with 6-6 Sr. Hudson Greer, 6-6 Jr. Kayden Allen, 6-8 Sr. Trent Sisley, 6-4 Sr. Dante Allen, and 6-6 Sr. CJ Ingram.
Columbus (FL) captured the championship with a 59-57 victory over Montverde Acadeny (FL) I a wire-to-wire effort. Columbus led 33-23 at halftime but Montverde Academy rallied to make it close at the end. Jaxon Richardson came up big for the Explorers on both ends of the floor both offensively and defensively. Columbus shot 47.7% from the field including two of 11 from the three point line. The Explorers connected on 15 of 19 free throws, pulled down 27 rebounds, and scored 13 points off 11 Montverde Academy turnovers. Montverde Academy shot 36.9% from the field including eight of 27 from beyond the arc. The Eagles connected on seven of eight free throws, pulled down 21 rebounds, and scored 14 points off 15 Columbus turnovers.
Jaxon Richardson led Columbus with 18 points including two three point baskets, two blocked shots, and two steals. Cameron Boozer added 14 points including eight of nine free throws, nine rebounds, and four assists. Caleb Gaskins recorded 13 points, nine rebounds, and two blocked shots. Cayden Boozer chipped in with eight points, three rebounds, and two steals. Marcellous Jackson added six points, four rebounds, two assists, and three steals.
Hudson Greer led Montverde Academy with 18 points including four three point baskets, three rebounds, and two steals. Dante Allen added 12 points including two three point baskets, two rebounds, six assists, and two blocked shots. 6-5 Jr. King Gibson recorded nine points, three rebounds, and two steals.
Scoring Summary
School | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Final |
Columbus (FL) | 19 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 59 |
Montverde Academy (FL) | 12 | 11 | 19 | 15 | 57 |
Columbus (FL) | (59) | - | Gaskins 13, Richardson 18, Cam. Boozer 14, Jackson 6, Cay. Boozer 8. |
Montverde Academy (FL) | (57) | - | Greer 18, K. Allen 4, Sisley 3, D. Allen 12, Ingram 4, Gibson 9, Weems 5, Weis 2. |
Acknowledgements
A special thanks to the City of Palms Stats Crew for the comprehensive stats provided for tonight's games.
Please feel free to send your comments and questions concerning the event, teams, or players to me at prephoops@yahoo.com.
Ron Harrison’s reports on this and other basketball events appear on kyprephoops.com.