'Never been done before': Brockton's Dybantsa, Maine's Flagg headline HoopHall Classic
SPRINGFIELD – There was an indescribable aura at the birthplace of basketball late into the night on Sunday.
It was an aura of awe, and one of supposed history inside Blake Arena on the campus of Springfield College. Prolific Prep head coach Ryan Bernardi, a Milton native and BC High alum, suggested it was the first time in the modern era that the top players in three consecutive high school classes shared the same court together.
The top player in the Class of 2025, Prolific Prep's AJ Dybantsa (of Brockton) took on the responsibility of matching up with Montverde Academy's Cooper Flagg, a 2024 Duke University commit, in a primetime showdown at the HoopHall Classic. Prolific Prep's sophomore point guard Tyran Stokes, the top player in the 2026 class, not only facilitated but soaked it all in.
“When we’re older, it’s something we can talk about with our kids," Stokes said. "Three No. 1’s on one court – it’s never been done before. We just have fun with it.”
"The way I’m going to remember this one is, I hope there’s another one. This was as good as it gets," Bernardi said after his team's 76-71 loss. "(Dybantsa) stepped up to the plate. Cooper is as good as you get. Tyran is as good as you get. ... I thought it didn’t disappoint.”
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Dybantsa finished with 21 points, five rebounds and four assists in the loss, and Flagg had 15 points, 10 rebounds and five blocks. Montverde Academy's Liam McNeeley finished with a game-high 22 points to win the game's MVP award, which was presented by Ice Cube at center court.
“Obviously, we think about (the future)," Dybantsa said of the matchup. "But we’re enjoying the moment – we’re not in high school forever. But we know if we continue what we’re doing, we’ll have good futures.”
Dybantsa said it was the fourth time he and Flagg went head-to-head. They guarded each other in key spots, and both played all 32 minutes.
“We’ve been competing against each other since eighth grade, ninth grade. So, it’s nothing new, but I embrace the big-time matchup," Dybantsa said. "I think he does, too.”
Dybantsa stitched together a few productive possessions late, as the 6-foot-8 swingman vacuumed in a rebound over Flagg, McNeeley and teammate Mikey Lewis (a St. Mary's commit) and took it coast-to-coast for a leaning bank shot in traffic to give Prolific Prep a one-point lead, 66-65, with 3:30 to go in the fourth.
One minute later, Dybantsa drilled a 3-pointer from the left corner with the 6-foot-9 Flagg lunging out to contest. The two headliners collided, the ball swished through and Dybantsa stepped to the line looking to complete a 4-point play. His missed free throw kept Prolific Prep at a 69-67 edge with 2:21 left.
“If the (game's) result was different, that play goes down as one we watch over, over and over again," Bernardi said.
That was the third of three 3-pointers Dybantsa hit in five attempts, all in the second half. He scored 15 of his 21 in the third and fourth quarters.
“I thought he was aggressive," Bernardi said of Dybantsa. "I thought he got downhill, then was able to knock in three 3’s.”
The HoopHall Class marked the end of a memorable homecoming week for the 16-year-old Dybantsa, who turns 17 this month. Thursday night, Prolific Prep played against Orangeville Prep (of Mono, Ontario) at BC High and Dybantsa posted 25 points in a highlight-packed blowout win. He also held community events at local Boys and Girls Clubs in Brockton and Dorchester last week.
"The best part about (the trip) was giving back and donating. The games are cool, obviously, but it was coming back to the Boys and Girls Club and donating," Dybantsa said. “Massachusetts is home. Coming back is special.”
This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: HoopHall Classic presented Brockton's AJ Dybantsa a scene to remember
