“We exposed the loser in them”: Prolific Prep’s HC Ryan Bernardi called out Cooper Flagg’s winning team vs AJ Dybantsa and Co
Napa Christian Prolific Prep coach Ryan Bernardi once called the Cooper Flagg-led Montverde Academy "losers" despite winning over his team in a tough fight in the Hoophall Classic in Springfield, Massachusetts.
During the fourth episode of "Dream Season," which was posted on YouTube on Sunday, Bernardi gave his postgame speech after losing to Montverde, 76-71. He emphasized how his team handled a strong team like the Eagles, who were known for beating up opponents by at least 20 points.
"I like we exposed who they really are. We exposed the loser in them and fortunately like it was in our time," Bernardi said. "We haven't quite done enough. We haven't quite put enough deposits in. We haven't quite worked hard enough."
Prolific Prep, which had top high school prospect for 2025 AJ Dybantsa and five-star Alabama recruit Aiden Sherrell on the team, was able to hang on against a formidable Montverde squad that had five-star 2024 prospects Flagg, Liam McNeeley and Derik Queen on its roster.
The Eagles were faced with a different situation against Prolific Prep. The California-based dribblers led by as much as three points and were 69-67 with a little over two minutes left in the game following a 3-pointer by Dybantsa.
However, Montverde unleashed a 9-2 finishing run and stole the victory away from Bernardi's squad.
Dybantsa led Prolific Prep with 21 points on 8 of 19 shooting, five rebounds, four assists and one steal. Flagg, the top prospect for Duke, finished with 15 points, 10 rebounds and five blocks.
McNeeley, who is set to play for UConn in the 2024-25 college basketball season, led Montverde's offense with 22 points, while Queen, who will suit up for Maryland, added 18.
AJ Dybantsa will make his final decision in February 2025
AJ Dybantsa, who had trimmed down his list of schools to six, is set to make his final decision on which school he will commit to in February 2025.
The schools in contention for Dybantsa's nod include Auburn, Kansas State, Kansas, Alabama, North Carolina and BYU. But for now, the 6-foot-9 forward is playing for Utah Prep alongside four-star guard JJ Mandaquit.
AJ Dybantsa will also take part in the 2024 Hoophall Classic West in Phoenix in January 2025. He will be facing the who's who of current high school prospects in Brayden Burries, Koa Peat, Tyran Stokes, Brandon McCoy Jr., Nikolas Khamenia, Derek Dixon, Nyk Lewis, Kaden House, Isaiah Harwell and Mikka Muurinen.
Which school will get AJ Dybantsa's commitment in February 2025? Let us know your views in the comments section.