Nation's longest boys basketball win streak snapped

By Jason Hickman Feb 21, 2012, 8:33pm

Heights (Wichita, Kan.) sees 62-game streak come to an end Tuesday night.

Wichita Heights (Kan.) saw its national-best, 62-game win streak come to an end Tuesday in a 56-51 loss to East (Wichita).

The Falcons – three-time defending Class 6A champions in Kansas – hadn't lost since Dec. 19, 2009 and beat East 70-60 back on Jan. 13. Heights was rarely tested during its two-year run of success, winning 50 of 62 contests by 10 points or more.
Kansas signee Perry Ellis tried to keep Heights' streak alive with 30 points and 13 rebounds.
Kansas signee Perry Ellis tried to keep Heights' streak alive with 30 points and 13 rebounds.
File photo by Philip Zivnuska

East was led Tuesday night by 6-foot-1 senior guard Jalen Love, who finished with 27 points. The Aces also received 10 points, five rebounds and four assists from 6-5 senior forward Nathan Jackson.

Heights is ranked No. 11 nationally in this week's Xcellent 25 and received a valiant effort from Kansas-bound senior forward Perry Ellis against East. The 6-8 McDonald's All-American piled up 30 points and 13 rebounds, experiencing just his fourth loss in 94 games in a Falcon uniform.

The nation's longest active winning streak now belongs to defending national champion St. Anthony (Jersey City, N.J.). The Friars beat Lincoln (Brooklyn, N.Y.) 51-45 on Tuesday night to extend their run of victories to 55 games in a row.

Chester (Pa.) is another nationally ranked program working on a long win streak. The No. 5 Clippers beat Methacton (Norristown) on Tuesday night, notching their 49th win in as many outings.



The longest win streak in high school basketball history belongs to Passaic (N.J.), who won 159 straight from 1919-25.