Findlay Prep (Henderson, Nev.) boys basketball players were shocked Friday when they learned that the high school they attend – Henderson International – will drop grades 9-12 next fall and concentrate on its students in pre-school through eighth grade.
International has just 102 students in grades 9-12, with 10 of them Findlay Prep players. Economics was given as the major reason for the school's closure.
Findlay sophomore Thomas Laerke will need to make tough choices.
File photo by Lonnie Webb
Coach Mike Peck said Saturday that the high school not will close until graduation is complete in May and no academic credits will be lost for the students.
“It surprised a lot of people, I’m not going to lie to you," Peck told MaxPreps. "It was a jaw-dropper to a lot of people. We’ll be around and we’re going to continue, obviously. There are some options we’re going to explore.”
Peck wasn't specific what those options were but said he hopes to “keep everything intact” and stay in the Las Vegas area. Asked if all six of his current underclassmen would stay, he replied, “Absolutely, they would.”
The bad news Friday didn’t affect the Pilots on the court Saturday.
They closed their regular season with a 120-65 victory over Las Vegas Impact Academy to improve to 29-2. They are No. 10 in this week’s national MaxPreps Xcellent 25 rankings and are the defending mythical national champions.
Findlay Prep will be idle for more than a month before attempting to defend its championship (April 1-3) in the ESPN RISE National High School Invitational.
