Orlando Christian Prep

The Villages, FL -- December 31, 2020

OCP Boys Basketball program had an amazing 2020, which concluded by winning the 7th Annual Battle at The Villages Holiday Tournament with a 64-34 victory over Lake Highland Prep (Orlando) in the championship game.

The Warriors (11-0) won the "407" (area code) matchup thanks to a great start in the opening quarter and first half. OCP led 17-7 after the first 8 minutes and went to the half leading 32-12.  Junior Ven-Allen Lubin led the scoring with 14 points (6-9 FG, 1-1 3FG), 8 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals. Senior Omar Figueroa and Junior AJ Brown added 13 points each. This was the first time a team from the Orlando area code had won the tournament.

Brown was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player. In the semifinal game against Impact Christian Academy (ICA), OCP's opponent in the 2020 FHSAA Class 2A State Championship Game, the silky smooth guard split defenders on a few possessions on his way to scoring 28 points (10-20 FG, 3-6 3FG, 5-7 FT), with 4 reb, 2 ast, 2 stl in a 65-35 victory.

He also had 15 points, 8 reb, 3 stl in the opening round win against (Lake City) Columbia HS. The final score, 69-56, was the closest game of the three played in three straight days.

Lubin was selected to the All-Tournament team. He had full stat line in the Columbia game - 14 pts, 5 reb, 2 ast, 2 stl, 2 blk, 1 charge taken - and added 17 points, 8 reb against ICA.

Sophomore Jayden Hastings was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Defensive Player as his communication on the defensive end spurred on a great defensive effort by the Warriors in the semifinal and championship game against high scoring teams. Many spectators commented on how he could be heard throughout the gym when he was on the floor.

Coach Treig Burke was surprised to learn that his program had gone the entire calendar year unbeaten. OCP ended the 2019-20 season with a 20-game winning streak and state championship. The 2020-21 team has added a pair of tournament championships to the trophy case and pushed the winning streak to 31 games as the clock strikes 12 and 2021 comes into view.

OCP begins 2021 with a road trip to Mt. Dora High School on Thursday January 7. Then, host the annual Showdown in O-Town with the last game of a 4-game Saturday schedule against Windermere High School at 7pm.