Caleb Houstan’s tip-in with 12 seconds to go saved the day for national No. 1 Montverde Academy in Friday afternoon’s semifinal game at the GEICO High School Nationals boys basketball tournament in Fort Myers.
The clutch score from close range, coming after Montverde let a 14-point third quarter lead slip away, gave the Eagles a 51-49 victory over AZ Compass Prep of Arizona at Florida SouthWestern State College.
Montverde (23-1) will shoot for its fifth GEICO Nationals championship since 2013 when it plays Saturday’s final against Sunrise Christian (21-3) of Kansas, the only team that has beaten the Eagles in a span of two seasons.