In his highly anticipated return to Boston, AJ Dybantsa showcased his skills on a familiar court, leading Utah Prep to a thrilling 79-71 victory over Highland (VA) at Emmanuel College in the latest Grind Session event. The matchup brought out fans from all over Boston eager to see Dybantsa, now a senior and a prominent figure in high school basketball, take the floor in his hometown.
Dybantsa delivered a well-rounded performance, scoring 18 points, grabbing five rebounds, dishing out four assists, and collecting three steals. Utah Prep jumped out to an early lead, dominating Highland with their fast-paced offense and tenacious defense. However, a late surge from Highland saw them narrow the gap, making it a tighter contest than Utah Prep might have hoped. Despite the pushback, Utah Prep held their ground to secure the win, propelled by solid team play and Dybantsa’s key contributions on both ends.
The MVP of the game, however, was Dybantsa’s teammate, JJ Mandaquit. The guard was unstoppable, nearly notching a triple-double with an impressive 25 points, nine rebounds, nine assists, and four steals. Mandaquit’s control over the game kept Highland at bay in the final minutes, helping Utah Prep maintain their lead.
With this victory, Utah Prep heads into the next Grind Session event in Toronto, where they’ll continue their season with eyes on the championship. Dybantsa’s return to Boston was a memorable moment, and he left fans excited for what’s next in his final high school season.
