Prep Notes: Montverde is back; five SIMA event must-see players

When Mike Potempa took over the Montverde Academy boys soccer program in 2010, he followed the “If you build it, they will come” mantra.   And boy did they.   Literally overnight Montverde Academy blossomed into a soccer national power. The high school program put together the nation's longest-ever win streak en route to seven FAB 50 national titles between 2011-2018. Also during that time, the SIMA program was launched to cater to players with professional desires. Overall, the school's soccer program — with upwards of 200 players — was pumping out 20-25 NCAA Division I signings and a few professionals in every senior class. SIMA became even more prevalent with a short-lived player development relationship with Orlando City SC, as the SIMA program was pivoting out of the high school space and toward developing more elite college and professional talent.   The number of professional signees out of Montverde Academy exceeded 50. The rosters of many NCAA Division I national champs and Final Four teams were littered with Montverde-trained players. There were even a few MAC Hermann Trophy finalists in the mix, as well.   Simply put, Montverde Academy was the place to be to see the future of soccer.   From the Montverde Academy Soccer Tournament to the school's annual college showcase weekend, college coaches and professional scouts flocked to this little boarding school outside of Orlando, Fla.    Then COVID hit.   Things slowed down.   There wasn't the hype and excitement. There wasn't the volume of future college stars.   SIMA didn't disappear, it simply changed.   The 2022-2023 school year brought about even more change and a complete re-focusing of the program.   A new Head of School was hired in 2022. Unrelated to that hire, Potempa was gone as the SIMA director later in the school year. Questions emerged if SIMA was simply going fade away.   Kevin Varnado, the long-time associate director of SIMA who was promoted in February to replace Potempa, is quick to say that Montverde Academy and SIMA are back!   “The soccer program is working with a renewed focus and aligning with the school's mission that we are helping students with college placement,” Varnado said. “If someone goes pro, that's great. But that's not our (mission) right now.”   To Varnado's point, the re-energized focus on college prep has Montverde Academy again on the must-visit list for major college programs.   Here are five Class of 2024 Montverde Academy prospects to know in advance of the school's College Showcase event, which will take place Nov. 10-11 on campus.    M [player_tooltip player_id='35614' first='Wesley' last='Siegel'], Furman   An early commit, Siegel committed to Furman last school year. He kicks off the list of Montverde Academy players to watch but there's not much to add since he's already committed. Unlike the players that follow, Siegel is a day student.   LB [player_tooltip player_id='150091' first='Leslie' last='Adjei Okai']   The 5-foot-9, left-footed left-back is described by some as a complete player. He draws favorable comparisons to another former Montverde standout Anderson Rosa. Okai is great in the air despite not being tall. He's an excellent defender and the game comes easy to him. Okai is a native of Ghana and Clemson, UNC Greensboro, USF, UCF and UCLA have expressed interest.   F [player_tooltip player_id='150092' first='Wahabu' last='Musah']   Musah is a physically imposing force on the field. At 6-foot-3, this forward stands out in many ways. He can score with his right, left or with his head. Clemson and Wake Forest have been early suitors for Musah's talents. Pro clubs also have inquired about Musah, so it appears this senior will have lots of options.   M [player_tooltip player_id='150093' first='Mohammed' last='Ibrahim']   Ibrahim is a left-footed attacking midfielder who is elusive, clever and shifty. He plays the 10.   M [player_tooltip player_id='150094' first='William' last='Ampofo']   Ampofo is a holding mid/defensive mid. He's very mobile and has a good range of passes. He's able to protect and attack and can play the pivot all by himself.   Ampofo, Musah and Okai all came to Montverde Academy from the Ghana Angel Soccer Academy.   ELSEWHERE IN PREP/RESIDENCY SOCCER   The next round of matches for the Prep Premier League takes place this weekend at Northwood School in Lake Placid, N.Y.   Phelps School (Pa.) and Kiski School (Pa.) will have their No. 1-2 current standing put to the test. After this weekend, most of the PPL teams will have reached the halfway point of the league schedule.   Here is the weekend schedule   <figure class="wp-block-table"><table><tbody><tr><td>Oct. 7</td><td>Kiski</td><td>at</td><td>Northwood</td><td>Northwood School</td><td>9 a.m.</td></tr><tr><td>Oct. 7</td><td>Immaculate Heart Central</td><td>vs.</td><td>Woodstock</td><td>Northwood School</td><td>11 a.m.</td></tr><tr><td>Oct. 7</td><td>Hoosac</td><td>vs.</td><td>Phelps</td><td>Northwood School</td><td>1 p.m.</td></tr><tr><td>Oct. 8</td><td>Hoosac</td><td>vs.</td><td>Kiski</td><td>Northwood School</td><td>9 a.m.</td></tr><tr><td>Oct. 8</td><td>High Mowing</td><td>vs.</td><td>Immaculate Heart Central</td><td>Northwood School</td><td>11 a.m.</td></tr><tr><td>Oct. 8</td><td>Phelps</td><td>at</td><td>Northwood</td><td>Northwood School</td><td>1 p.m.</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>   PREP TOP 10   Woodstock Academy (Conn.), Combine Academy (N.C.) and Northwood School (N.Y.) retain the top three spots in the Prep Top 10.   Here's how the rest of the group shakes out:   4. Northfield Mount Hermon (Mass.); 5. Worcester Academy (Mass.); 6. Milton Academy (Mass.); 7. Berkshire School (Mass.); 8. Kiski School (Pa.); 9. Phelps School (Pa.); 10. Phillips Andover (Mass.).   Others under consideration: High Mowing School (N.H.), Loomis Chaffee (Conn.); Hoosac School (N.Y.).   [table id=288 /]

When Mike Potempa took over the Montverde Academy boys soccer program in 2010, he followed the “If you build it, they will come” mantra.