Chipotle Nationals: FAB 50 No. 2 CIA Bella Vista Victorious!

The 2025-2026 high school season has officially came to its conclusion. While there is no official national high school championship due to the vast majority of states not allowing their member schools to compete in end-of-the tournaments, Chipotle High School Nationals is the end-of-the season tournament that fields the most FAB 50 ranked teams in its quest to determine a national champion.

Some state associations do allow their state champions to compete in this event. This year, there were two state champions that were chosen for the field: FAB 50 No. 15 Archbishop Stepinac (White Plains, N.Y.) and No. 3 Paul VI (Chantilly, Va.). For Archbishop Stepinac, a four-time New York “AA” City Champion, it had to participate in the play-in game, where it met No. 8 Spire Academy (Geneva, Ohio) and lost, 87-76, as twin seven-footers Adonis and Darius Ratliff combined for seven points and did not make a field goal. Paul VI, the three-time defending Washington Catholic Athletic Conference (WCAC) Champion, took on FAB 50 No. 2 CIA Bella Vista (Phoenix, Ariz.) in the quarterfinals, and despite a 35-point effort from Jordan Smith Jr., the Panthers fell to the Bears, 81-76.

The other play-in round game was won by FAB 50 No. 16 Link Academy (Branson, Mo.), 69-62, over No. 5 Wasatch Academy (Mt. Pleasant, Utah). Link Academy fell in its quarterfinal contest to Dynamic Prep (Dallas, Texas), a finalist in last season’s Chipotle Nationals.

Dynamic Prep lost in its semifinal contest to CIA Bella Vista, 81-62, as West Virginia-point guard Miles Sadler had another terrific game after posting 26 points, six assists and four steals in the win over Paul VI. Chipotle Nationals resulted in plenty of shakeup in the Ballislife FAB 50, which will reflect in the final 2025-26 FAB 50 set for April 6, as No. 1 Prolific Prep (Southwest Ranches, Fla.) fell in its quarterfinal contest to No. 7 Montverde Academy (Montverde, Fla.), 57-55, on a dramatic dunk in the closing seconds by Derek Daniels after a missed 3-pointer by Prolific Prep’s Caleb Holt with nine seconds remaining in the game.

Spire Academy took on FAB 50 No. 4 AZ Compass Prep (Chandler, Ariz.) after winning the play-in game, but fell to the Dragons, 69-52, as guard Kaden House netted 20 points while junior forward DeMarcus Henry added 15 points and 10 rebounds. Montverde Academy then needed two overtimes to knock off AZ Compass Prep in the semifinals, 68-67. Junior O’Neal Delancy led four Eagles in double figures with 20 points. Dhani Miller, the only double-digit scorer in the big win over Prolific Prep with 27 points, added 17 points.

That left FAB 50 No. 2 CIA Bella Vista and No. 7 Montverde Academy standing in Saturday’s title game at Hamilton Southeastern High School (Fishers, Ind.). For CIA Bella Vista, the champions of the EYBL Scholastic League Tournament, was taking on the No. 5 seeded team in the championship game that was somewhat of a surprise finalist. Don’t tell that to first year Montverde Academy coach Steve Turner, whose team played excellent ball over the last half of the season after a slow start.

Montverde Academy, which captured seven Chipotle Nationals titles under coach Kevin Boyle between 2013 and 2024, came into the contest having won 15 of its previous 16 games against terrific competition, but two monster runs in the first half did in the Eagles, as CIA Bella Vista recorded a 69-65 victory at Hamilton Southeastern (Fishers, Ind.).

Photo: Paul Hernandez

CIA Bella Vista, which also captured the EYBL Scholastic Tournament and defeated Montverde Academy in the tourney quarterfinals (69-62), actually trailed early in Saturday morning’s title game. A 12-0 run gave CIA Bella Vista a 21-15 lead then the Bears blew it open from there. A 23-9 advantage in the second quarter gave CIA Bella Vista a 36-19 halftime lead. The Bears’ advantage grew to 19 points (38-19), but Montverde Academy battled back in the third quarter.

After being out-rebounded in the first half, 23-10, Montverde Academy stuck with it and hit some big shots in the second half to make the game interesting. The Eagles cut their deficit to five (52-47) at the end of the third period and Montverde Academy actually got the game to one possession, but could never get over the hump, as CIA Bella Vista made some timely shots to end the threat and hit three of four free throws down the stretch.

Sophomore Liam Mitakaro nailed two free throws and senior Mohamed Ndau hit the second of two to make it a two possession game in the closing seconds as CIA Bella Vista was able to secure its first Chipotle Nationals title.

There was major contributions from many and CIA’s rebounding ability and defensive length made a big difference, but the story of the tournament was the play of Sadler. He finished the title game with 23 points, four rebounds, nine assists and two steals. Even though he made only 1-of-9 3-pointers, he kept Montverde Academy on its heels and made big plays to turn momentum. The West Virginia-bound point guard finished the tournament averaging 23.3 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 7.3 apg, and 2.7 spg and proved he was one of the nation’s best very best floor generals.

Junior Paul Osaruyi added 16 points and nine rebounds, as the Bears outrebounded Montverde Academy, 39-26.

Miller led the way for Montverde Academy with 24 points, including 4-of-10 3-pointers that helped get his team back in the game. For the tournament the, the Kent St.-bound power point guard averaged 22.7 ppg. Delancy added 17 points.