Varsity news: Montverde track, Rob Perry talks NBA, double-duty basketball coaches
Montverde Academy has assembled what might be the most talented track and field program in Florida high school history and showcased that at the FSU Relays last weekend.
The Eagles’ domination in the speed events included national best times in the boys 100 meter dash (10.06 seconds) and 200 (20.57) by senior Issam Asinga in his first outdoor races of the 2023 season.
Adaejah Hodge, also a senior, did the same on the girls side with winning times of 11.18 and 22.84.
Asinga’s 100 time is not eligible for record status because it was aided by a 3.1 meters per second wind, well over the 2.0 limit. But his speed is undeniable. He tied the U.S. high school record with a 6.57-second time in the 60 meter dash at the New Balance Nationals indoor meet on March 11. And his wind-legal 200 time last weekend is one of the best in Florida history.
Similarly, Hodge’s 200 time at FSU was wind-aided. But she proved her mettle by running a high school indoors record time of 22.77 at the New Balance meet.
Asinga, a Texas A&M commit who was undefeated as a Missouri state champ in the 100 and 200 last spring, is the son of two Olympians. He has represented the African nation of Zambia in international competition.
Hodge, a 2022 Georgia state champ in the 100 and 200, has competed internationally for the British Virgin Islands.
The deep Montverde boys stable includes junior sprinter Jayvian Greene (10.40 windy, 21.09, 47.04) and state long jump leader Kyle Johnson (23 feet 11 inches).
Michelle Smith, a junior who placed in the 2022 world under-20 championships for the U.S. Virgin Islands, won the girls 800 (2:07.85) and 400 hurdles (58.41) with state-leading times.
Elsewhere in track and field last week, Edgewater senior William Carter ran a wind-aided 10.48 in the 100; Timber Creek senior Shane Exilhomme high jumped 6-6¾ and Apopka senior Noah Musselwhite clocked an area-leading 1:55.00 time in the 800 meter run.
On the girls side at FSU, Evans won the 4×400 relay at FSU and Master’s Academy junior Ava Wyant placed third in the 1,600 at 5:09.52.
Lake Minneola sophomore Ava Hendrix lowered her 3,200 best to 11:09.30 to win at the Tohopekaliga Tiger Invitational.
The Florida Relays high school competition at UF is Friday and Saturday with a number of top Orlando area entries.
One and done
Hagerty’s Josh Kohn and Andy Sarasty of Faith Christian, two longtime boys basketball coaches who added girls basketball head coaching to their workload last season and had great success, told the Sentinel they are done with double-duty.
Both said they will coach only their boys teams in 2023-24.
Sarasty guided Faith to a 16-11 season that culminated with the Class 2A state championship.
Hagerty went 27-1 before losing a 7A region playoff game against region champ Colonial.
Extra points
- Bishop Moore’s softball team improved to 15-0 with a 9-6 comeback win at Apopka on Tuesday. The Hornets were down 6-1 through four innings. Megan La Morte went 2-for-4 with a home run and 4 RBI in the win.
- Rob Perry, who was an under the radar glue guy before scoring 32 points for Oak Ridge in the Pioneers 2018 state championship victory, is again looking to fly higher than expected. He announced Monday that he is entering his name into the NBA Draft pool while retaining his college eligibility for the time being. The 6-foot-4 guard led Murray State with a 14.4 points per game average. He played three seasons at Stetson before transferring.
This report was first published at Orlandosentinel.com. Varsity Content Editor Buddy Collings can be reached by email at bcollings@orlandosentinel.com.
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