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

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.