Troy Fason Jr. poured in 28 points and DME led with nine seconds left against one of the most decorated programs in high school basketball before a 77–76 finish in Bradenton.
BRADENTON, Fla. — On the opening night of a brand-new global league, DME Academy showed it belongs. Facing Prolific Prep, a perennial national No. 1 contender, DME erased a 10-point deficit, led in three of the four quarters and was nine seconds from victory before the Crew scored in the closing seconds to edge DME 77–76 at IMG Academy on Wednesday, Nov. 11.
It was a measuring-stick game, and DME measured up. Prolific finished last season 36–3 and spent much of it ranked No. 1 in the country. The program has produced nine NBA players, including Houston Rockets guard Jalen Green, and is a fixture in the national top 10. When the two teams met in last spring’s Grind Session semifinals, Prolific won by 11. This time it took a basket in the final seconds.
Troy Fason Jr. led the way with 28 points, five rebounds and five assists, per the broadcast’s stat graphic with 1:30 left, attacking a roster stocked with national-level talent all night.
DME announced itself early. After Prolific scored first, DME ripped off 11 straight points and pushed the lead to 18–8 midway through the first quarter. The Crew closed the period with a buzzer-beater to lead 25–22.
When Prolific built a 41–31 lead in the second quarter, DME answered with a 12–3 run to pull within a point, 44–43, before the break. DME won the battle of the boards in the first half, 19–18, and shot 33% from three to Prolific’s 20%.
DME kept coming in the third. Roman Avdejev helped tie the game at 50, and DME surged ahead 58–56, its first lead since the opening quarter. Neither team led by more than three for the rest of the period.
The fourth quarter belonged to DME’s resolve. DME opened on a 10–4 run, with Yohane Kabongo converting at the line, to take a 70–67 lead that forced a Prolific timeout. Baskets at 4:33 and 4:10 made it 74–71, and DME’s defense held the Crew without a point for more than two minutes.
Prolific went ahead 75–74 with 17 seconds left, and DME didn’t blink, scoring to retake a 76–75 lead with nine seconds to play. The Crew came out of a timeout and found the winning basket with about four seconds remaining.
“Last night’s game was a great first experience for our team in ATLAS. Our guys competed down to the wire against one of the best teams in the country. We expected a tough game and I’m glad our team didn’t back down. We came up short, but I’m very proud of the effort,” said Head Coach Matt Panaggio.
DME brings that energy home on Thursday, Nov. 19, when it hosts IMG Academy in Daytona Beach at the Maurio Panaggio Court, here at DME.
About DME Academy
DME Academy is a private sports academy in Daytona Beach, Florida, that combines college-preparatory academics with elite athletic training. Learn more at www.dmeacademy.com.
Media Contact
Gregory Birgfeld, Senior Director, Marketing & Communications, DME Academy
greg.birgfeld@dmeacademy.com
