National High School Basketball Invitational 2013: Montverde Stars Prove Worth

Montverde Academy stars Kasey Hill and Dakari Johnson entered the 2013 National High School Basketball Invitational championship game among the top recruits in this year's class.

They did not disappoint.

Hill and Johnson combined for 35 points in Saturday's thrilling 67-65 victory over St. Benedict's, leading Montverde back from a 16-point deficit in the second half, per The Star-Ledger.

Hill, the No. 7 overall recruit in the 2013 class who is bound for Florida, scored a team-high 19 points. He hit a big three-pointer as Montverde closed the third quarter on an 11-3 run, then scored nine points in the fourth quarter. The 6'1", 175-pound point guard also added six rebounds and five assists.

Johnson, the No. 11 recruit in the class who is headed for Kentucky, dropped 18 points while adding eight rebounds and two steals, earning tournament MVP honors along the way. The 6'10", 250-pound big man's performance was critical, setting up Jalyn Patterson's game-winning three-pointer with 2.7 seconds left.

If you needed any more proof of the potential of Hill and Johnson, you got it on Saturday. 

Hill's finishing ability, as well as his ability to get his teammates involved, was on full display against St. Benedict's. He may still need to improve that jump shot, but there is no question he has exceptional skills when it comes to penetrating the lane and creating for his teammates.

As for Johnson, his inside-scoring ability—as well as his skills on the glass—showed in the invitational championship game. He's already shown the footwork and hands in the lane at a young age to make an impact early in college. It's going to be fun seeing the big man develop.

The 2013 National High School Basketball Invitational was yet another opportunity for some of the top players in the recruiting class to show their stuff before they head to college. Hill and Johnson don't need to show any more. It's quite evident by now that they have plenty of potential.