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(KB
- 03/29/06) As coach Harry Montalvo's daughter, Leo Montalvo has
always been a lightning rod for controversy.
"He
plays her too much." "She shoots too much!!"
"My kid can't get in the game because she's always hogging
the ball!!!" "She flops!!!"
SG
has heard it all.
Most
of those criticisms are unwarranted. Leo is the best point guard
in the class of 2010. She has a fearless combination of grit and
moxie that even her most ardent critics have to grudgingly
acknowledge. At 5'3", Leo looms large amidst the taller trees
and often comes away the victor. Her fierce drives to the basket
demonstrate an uncanny recognition of proper spacing and game flow
for someone her age. And she has a "get-right-outta-town!!"
jumper, too.
We
first noticed Leo as an eight year old playing point guard for the
Winning Ways Lady Wildcats 11U. She was the best player on the
team despite the age disparity.
We
saw her again playing for the Dynasty 10U alongside Class of 2009
phenom Bianca Lutley. That team finished seventh in the nation. At
the time, it was the highest finish ever for a Florida team at AAU
Nationals.
What
immediately drew one's attention was, every time there was a
scrum, a pile up or a loose ball, Leo would be at the bottom of
it. She caused more havoc in less time than Stevie Wonder driving
a cab in Manhattan. Sometimes the Dynasty gained possession,
sometimes not. But Leo wasn't giving any shrift.
Last
year we saw Leo as a seventh grader scrimmaging against seasoned
high school players. Leo was the one doing the schooling.
Leo
opened her eighth grade year as the starting point guard for
Trinity Prep. Not only did she lead the team in scoring and
assists, she also was selected as the youngest member of the
All-Orange County team. She and fellow Comet Samantha Shields led
Trinity Prep to the verge of a berth in the Final Four, losing in
the regional finals to Gainesville P.K. Yonge.
Always
perceived as diminutive, Leo has grown four inches in the past
year and may be hitting her stride.
Leo
is one of a number of Dynasty players that joined the Comets
organization in 2006 as the Comets Red 14U. An imposing choice of
a team name, rich in tradition.
This
is one little Comet that bears watching.
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