{"id":167028,"date":"2019-04-04T19:06:17","date_gmt":"2019-04-05T02:06:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bilcomprd.wpengine.com\/?p=167028"},"modified":"2023-03-21T14:25:07","modified_gmt":"2023-03-21T21:25:07","slug":"geico-nationals-quarterfinals","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ballislife.com\/geico-nationals-quarterfinals\/","title":{"rendered":"GEICO Nationals Semifinals are FIRE!"},"content":{"rendered":"

The semifinals are set for GEICO Nationals in New York, as the favorites in all four games won Thursday's quarterfinal matchups. It will be FAB50 No. 3 Montverde Academy facing No. 4 IMG Academy in one semifinal (3 pm ET, ESPN2) and No 1. La Lumiere taking on No. 17 Oak Hill Academy in the second semifinal (5 pm ET, ESPN2). Read on for key facts and turning points in each game and a quick preview of what to expect in the semifinals.
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No. 4 IMG Academy (Brandenton, Fla.) 65, No. 9 Sunrise Christian Academy (Bel Aire, Kan.) 50<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Quick Summary:<\/strong> The Ascenders came in focused and forced 18 turnovers, many which they converted into points on the other end. IMG Academy got its first win at the event after being upset in the first round two years ago by Greensboro Day (Greensboro, N.C.). As coach Sean McAloon noted, however, the current coaches and players weren't part of that, but they still used that loss as motivation.<\/p>\n

Pivotal Moment:<\/strong> The score was 31-23 at halftime with IMG Academy leading, but the Ascenders were not satisfied. In fact, Ascenders' shooting guard Jaden Springer was not happy with point guard Noah Farrakhan for his jovial attitude going into the halftime locker room. Their small flare up fired up IMG Academy, which opened up the second half with a 9-0 run, highlighted by a 3-pointer by Farrakhan that gave his team a 40-23 lead.<\/p>\n

Key Statistic: <\/strong>Springer and Farrakhan combined to shoot 17-of-25 from the field and combine for 45 points, as IMG Academy's backcourt dominated the scoring department. Springer (26 points, 11-14 field goals) was the beneficiary of many of the turnovers, converting them into dunks and layups. Uncommitted guard Grant Sherfield was the only player in double digits for Sunrise Christian Academy with 13 points.  <\/strong><\/p>\n

Quotables: <\/strong>\"We made a real concerted effort to focus on the defensive end,\" said McAloon. \"I think we really frustrated them on that end.\"<\/p>\n

What's Next:<\/strong> IMG Academy moved to 29-1 on the season and will take on 22-2 Montverde Academy in a semifinal showdown on April 5 at 3 pm ET (ESPN2). It will be a battle of the No. 3 and No. 4 ranked teams in the FAB 50. There will be an impressive amount of talent on the floor, but whatever team can execute the best and get off to a quick start will advance to the finals.<\/p>\n

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Montverde -- MOVING ?.
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\u2014 Who's Next (@WhosNextHS) April 4, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n