The 2026 Montverde Academy Invitational Tournament (MAIT) presented by Discover Lake County delivered everything it promised and more — three unforgettable days of nonstop basketball, school spirit, and high-level competition on the Montverde Academy campus.
From Thursday, January 29 through Saturday, January 31, MAIT transformed Montverde Academy into the epicenter of elite high school basketball, featuring 13 total games and four boys contests each day across the three-day showcase. The weekend also included a Friday night girls basketball matchup, giving fans even more action inside a gym that was buzzing from start to finish.
The weekend belonged to Montverde Academy.
The Eagles capped off a successful tournament run by capturing the MAIT championship. They opened tournament play with a commanding 90–34 victory over Northside Christian on Thursday, followed by a thrilling 70–69 win over The Rock School on Friday, and closed the weekend with a hard-fought 59–53 championship victory over Faith Family Academy on Saturday night.
As tradition demands, the final buzzer on Saturday ignited an unforgettable celebration, as the Montverde Academy student section flooded the court following the championship win. It was the perfect ending to a weekend fueled by passion, pride, and pure energy.
And energy is exactly what defined MAIT 2026.
All weekend long, the Montverde Academy student section packed the stands, cheering loud and proud from opening tip to final buzzer each night. Their relentless noise and enthusiasm turned the gym into one of the most electric environments imaginable, rattling opponents and lifting the Eagles at every turn. By Saturday, the excitement reached its peak, as the event officially sold out and the building was absolutely jumping.
But MAIT was about more than just basketball.
Fans of all ages enjoyed a full weekend of entertainment, including face painting for children — and plenty of adults who wanted to join in on the fun. The tournament also showcased outstanding Montverde Academy talent beyond the court, beginning Thursday with the Lower School Choir performing the National Anthem before the opening games.
Friday night's girls basketball game against Holy Trinity Episcopal added another highlight to the weekend, as Montverde Academy earned an impressive 87–59 victory. Prior to tipoff, students Madeline Hogan and Nidhi Krishna delivered a memorable National Anthem performance, setting the tone for an exciting evening.
Halftime entertainment continued to elevate the MAIT experience throughout the weekend. During halftime of Friday's girls game, Dream Plex — a non-profit, faith-based center dedicated to providing therapy, fitness, and adaptive sports opportunities for children and adults with physical and intellectual disabilities — took the floor, delivering a powerful performance that energized the crowd and highlighted the spirit of inclusion and community at the heart of the MAIT. Later that night, the Lower School cheer team performed during halftime of the boys game, showcasing Montverde Academy pride across all age levels.
On Saturday, Montverde Academy student and Pom Squad member Ashlyn Anderson performed the National Anthem before the championship matchup, setting the stage for a special night. During halftime of the title game, the Montverde Academy Pom Squad delivered a dynamic performance and kept the energy high throughout the weekend with cheers during timeouts, further amplifying an already electric atmosphere.
Thursday's festivities also included the announcement of Montverde Academy's Homecoming King and Queen, with Brayden Long and Ella Monroe Steed earning the honors, adding yet another memorable moment to an already action-packed weekend.
From the elite basketball to the packed stands, from the performances to the deafening student section, the 2026 MAIT was everything a premier high school basketball event should be — loud, exciting, and unforgettable.
For those in attendance, it was more than a tournament.... It was an experience.
