MaxPreps 2013-14 Preseason Xcellent 25 Basketball preview: No. 2 Findlay Prep

It was tempting earlier this month to give the nod to Findlay Prep (Henderson, Nev.) for the No. 1 preseason national ranking, but three head coaches in three years is typically not a recipe for success at any level of basketball.

Jerome "Junkyard Dog" Williams of Pistons and Raptors fame steps in to replace Todd Simon, who left after one year as head coach to take a position at UNLV. Michael Peck led Findlay Prep to an incredible 157-8 record the previous five seasons before taking over the NBDL's Idaho Stampede.

The transition should be eased with plenty of familiar faces still on staff. Williams is in his fifth year with the program while assistants Andy Johnson, Brett Price and Michael Smalley are all mainstays.



The early returns have been encouraging. Findlay Prep gets an early start (first game was Nov. 2), already amassing a 7-0 record and averaging 104.8 points per game.

"I think we have high-character kids that consistently push themselves to get better. Those characteristics really stand out about this group so far," assistant coach Andy Johnson told MaxPreps earlier this month.

The talent level remains as high as it has ever been at Findlay – a program that has lost just two games in the last two seasons.

Guards Kelly Oubre (Kansas signee) and Rashad Vaughn are 247Sports Top 10 prospects in the 2014 class and both are on the short list for MaxPreps National Player of the Year honors. Skilled and versatile forward Craig Victor – headed to Arizona – brings a winning legacy from New Orleans as well.

Juniors Horace Spencer and Dillon Brooks have been sparks in November games. Both scored in double figures over the weekend in a win over Westwind Prep (Phoenix).

There is even a sophomore in the mix in point guard Derryck Thornton Jr.. Johnson hinted before the season he would have a prominent role for the Pilots.



"He's one of our hardest workers and a very good on-ball defender," Johnson said.

Newcomers Jonah Bolden (from Australia), Renathan Ona Embo (France) and Justin Jackson (Canada) all spent time over the summer on age group national teams. Brooks (Canada) and freshmen O'Shae Brissett (Canada) and Chidozie Nnamene (Nigeria) add to the international flavor.

The Pilots will make two trips to Canada during the season.

View gallery of Findlay Prep preseason photo shoot

Findlay Prep last five years:
2012-13 (Todd Simon) – 35-1, No. 3 final Academy Top 10 national ranking
2011-12 (Michael Peck) – 32-1, No. 2 final Academy Top 10 national ranking
2010-11 (Michael Peck) – 28-4, No. 20 final Xcellent 25 national ranking
2009-10 (Michael Peck) – 32-2, No. 5 final Xcellent 25 national ranking
2008-09 (Michael Peck) – 33-0, Xcellent 25 National Champions

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Classification/Division:
Pilot players attend Henderson International School in Henderson, Nev. Findlay Prep operates as a basketball-centric college prep program within Henderson and is recognized by the Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association.

Head coach:
Jerome Williams



Career record:
First year. Williams has been an assistant at Findlay since 2009 after spending nine seasons in the NBA. Dubbed the "Junkyard Dog" during his playing days, Williams was a defensive and rebounding specialist for the Pistons, Raptors, Bulls and Knicks. He played collegiately at Georgetown and averaged a double-double as a junior.

Former Pilots in college/pro basketball:

Dominic Artis (Oregon sophomore guard)

Brandon Ashley (Arizona sophomore forward)

Anthony Bennett (Cleveland Cavaliers rookie, No. 1 overall NBA Draft pick)

Avery Bradley (Boston Celtics guard)



Amadeo Della Valle (Ohio State sophomore guard)

Allerik Freeman (Baylor freshman guard)

Nick Johnson (Arizona junior guard)

Cory Joseph (San Antonio Spurs guard)

Myck Kabongo (NBDL guard)

Stanford Robinson (Indiana freshman guard)



Gavin Schilling (Michigan State freshman forward)

Winston Shepard (San Diego State sophomore wing)

Tristan Thompson (Cleveland Cavaliers forward)

Dion Wade (Auburn freshman wing)

Nigel Williams-Goss (Washington freshman guard)

Christian Wood (UNLV freshman forward)
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Key returners:



None

Newcomers:

Jonah Bolden (6-8, Sr., F)

Dillon Brooks (6-6, Jr., F)

Renathan Ona Embo (6-2, So., G)

Justin Jackson (6-8, So., F)



Kelly Oubre (6-6, Sr., G), Kansas signee

Horace Spencer (6-8, Jr., F)

Derryck Thornton Jr., (6-1, So., G)

Rashad Vaughn (6-6, Sr., G)

Craig Victor (6-7, Sr., F), Arizona signee

Circle the date:



The Pilots will have their hands full from Dec. 28 to Jan. 25 with four defending state champions on the schedule.

First up Dec. 28 at the Mike Miller Classic in South Dakota will be defending Minnesota AAA champ DeLaSalle (Minneapolis). On Jan. 4, Findlay will meet back-to-back Arizona champs Corona del Sol (Tempe).

North Carolina independent school champ Wesleyan Christian Academy (High Point) will be the opponent for the program's annual trip to the Spalding Hoophall Classic in Massachusetts. The stretch culminates with a showdown against local rival Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas) at the Big City Showcase.

Tournament time:

Though not a true bracketed tournament for the prep/academy teams involved, Findlay Prep will participate in the Tarkanian Classic, the newest mega-event during the holidays. The Pilots will play No. 7 Prime Prep (Dallas), Atlanta Sports Academy (Ga.) and Montrose Christian (Rockville, Md.).

The Tarkanian Classic runs Dec. 18-22 in Las Vegas with Bishop Gorman High School, Faith Lutheran, Durango High and the Orleans Arena all hosting games. The CBS Sports Network will broadcast three games live from the Orleans Arena on Friday, Dec. 20, including Findlay Prep vs. Prime Prep.