Head coach Kevin Boyle of FAB 50 Energy Montverde Academy (Fla.), this system he has led to seven FAB 50 nationwide titles for the reason that 2012-13 season, will head up this system at SPIRE Academy (Geneva, Ohio) starting with the 2025-26 season. The information will affect the highschool panorama, as Boyle has influenced the highschool recreation on a large number of ranges.
Kevin Boyle, who has helped raised the profile of big-time highschool basketball over the previous decade plus at Montverde Academy (Fla.), is trying to keep one step forward of the sport as soon as once more. It was introduced at present he’s leaving this system he helped make a world model since taking up in 2011-12, to take over this system at SPIRE Academy (Geneva, Ohio) starting subsequent season.
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In Boyle’s time at Montverde Academy, he’s 363-32 heading into the inaugural EYBL Scholastic Match going down on the Riverview Park Actions Middle in North Augusta, S.C., March 5-8. Extra importantly than his document, he has gained numerous huge video games and helped take the highlight and stage of competitors of academy-type packages to new heights.
As soon as checked out as outliers or stops for gamers with tutorial shortcomings or the place a change of surroundings was needed, these academy-type packages that do not play for state championships are actually way more accepted throughout the panorama and Montverde Academy’s dominance beneath Boyle aided that. His program’s profile additionally helped the creation of the EYBL Scholastic League in 2020-21 when it was referred to as the Nationwide Interscholastic Basketball Convention.
SPIRE Academy is banking on Boyle elevating the profile of its program in related style on this new day of high-stakes highschool basketball that’s influenced by the nation’s elite gamers having the ability to revenue by way of their title, picture, and likeness (NIL) since July of 2021. With Boyle on the helm, there may be little doubt a few of the nation’s elite will critically think about becoming a member of this system shifting ahead due to his monitor document.
SPIRE Academy is presently an Beneath Armour-sponsored program, and just like Montverde Academy, has a varsity and post-graduate crew. As of now, SPIRE Academy shouldn’t be a part of any state affiliation or nationwide convention.
“I feel with the altering panorama of highschool and faculty basketball that SPIRE has the best management, imaginative and prescient and plan to attain its targets,” Boyle informed Ballislife. “These targets embrace to turn out to be one, if not the highest, highschool program.”
Boyle additionally acknowledged this system “checks all of the containers” with regard to the place the panorama of highschool basketball is headed. NIL drives decision-making on the collegiate stage at a widespread stage. NIL influenced decision-making among the many nation’s elite highschool gamers has turn out to be extra outstanding every season since 2021 and search for that development to proceed to uptick.
In an announcement on its web site, Montverde Academy introduced it is going to conduct a “complete nationwide search” for its subsequent head coach and devoted Director of the Middle for Basketball Improvement.
A Lasting Legacy
In his first season at Montverde Academy, the Eagles misplaced within the championship recreation of Chipotle Excessive College Nationals to Findlay Prep (Henderson, Nev.), however after that first season the Eagles took off. They haven’t completed ranked decrease than No. 5 within the FAB 50 in previous 12 seasons, though they presently sit at 19-6 and ranked No. 9 heading into their March 6 quarterfinal contest with FAB 50 No. 10 CIA Bella Vista (Phoenix, Ariz.).
Since 2012-13, Montverde Academy has started as preseason FAB 50 No. 1 9 occasions and have gained the FAB 50 Nationwide title because the No. 1 crew seven occasions (2013-15, 2018, 2020, 2021, 2024). This system additionally gained Chipotle Nationals in those self same years count on in 2020 when the occasion did not happen due to COVID-19. The 2022 crew additionally gained the end-of-season occasion when it completed No. 2 within the FAB 50. The 2018, 2020 and 2024 crew additionally completed undefeated in opposition to difficult nationwide schedules.
The seven FAB 50 titles ties Boyle with now retired Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.) coach Steve Smith for essentially the most all-time.
Particular person Expertise Shines Beneath Boyle
Previous to Montverde Academy, Boyle coached at St. Patrick (Elizabeth, N.J.), which is now working away from the diocese beneath the title Patrick College (Hackettstown, N.J.). Together with his time at St. Patrick, Boyle is presently 873-164. There in his native New Jersey is the place Boyle started to harness a few of the nation’s best highschool expertise. He coached All-American Al Harrington, 2011 Mr. Basketball USA Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and Kyrie Irving, the No. 1 choose of the 2011 NBA Draft, amongst others.
In all Boyle has coached six Mr. Basketball USA honorees, the person honor devoted to the nation’s finest highschool participant strictly on highschool resume and crew success. Along with Irving, the gamers named Mr. Basketball USA at Montverde Academy are Ben Simmons (2015), R.J. Barrett (2018), Cade Cunningham (2020), Dariq Whitehead (2022) and Cooper Flagg (2024). Simmons and Cunningham are developed into No. 1 NBA Draft picks and Duke’s Flagg can be within the operating to be chosen No. 1 in 2025.
Simmons informed Ballislife he felt comfy attending Montverde Academy as a result of it was this system he acknowledged as a younger participant rising up in Australia.
One yr after taking part in for Boyle on the 2020 nationwide championship crew, Cunningham, Scottie Barnes (No. 4), Moses Moody (No. 14), and Day’Ron Sharpe all had been drafted within the first spherical. In that 2021 NBA Draft, Boyle had seven of his former gamers drafted. This yr, Flagg, Derik Queen (Maryland), Liam McNeeley (UConn) and Asa Newell (Georgia) may all be first spherical NBA Draft picks. Robert Wright (Baylor) is one other terrific expertise off final yr’s undefeated membership.
These names and numbers stand out to oldsters, coaches and to the administrators at SPIRE Academy. The Ohio-based program is banking on Boyle re-creating that kind of success.
Ronnie Flores is the nationwide Grassroots editor of Ballislife.com. He could be reached at [email protected]. Do not forget to comply with him on Twitter: @RonMFlores
