The Montverde Academy boys basketball team saw its run in the 2026 Nike EYBL Scholastic postseason tournament come to an end on Friday afternoon, falling to CIA Bella Vista 69-65 in the quarterfinal round in North Augusta, South Carolina.
With the result, MVA moves to 21-6 on the season and will now await a potential at-large bid to the Chipotle High School National Championship next month.
MVA controlled much of the contest early, building a strong lead in the first half. The Eagles raced out to a 22-11 advantage by the end of the opening quarter and extended the margin to 39-27 by halftime.
The Eagles continued their momentum into the third quarter, scoring the first basket of the half to push the lead to 41-27. But CIA Bella Vista worked its way back into the game during the remainder of the period as the quarter ended with MVA up by one at 47-46.
The Bears opened the final frame with a short run to take the lead, setting up a tightly contested finish down the stretch. MVA battled back and tied the game at 65-65 in the final minute, but CIA Bella Vista converted the final possessions to secure the win.
Despite the narrow result, several Eagles delivered strong performances.
Dhani Miller led MVA with a double-double of 25 points and 10 rebounds. Derek Daniels added 18 points and six rebounds, while Oneal Delancy chipped in 11 points.
Montverde Academy will now turn its attention to the upcoming Chipotle High School National Championship selection process as the Eagles look to extend their season on the national stage.
