Findlay Prep basketball blasts Houston Yates

'Twas the week before Christmas, and all of the signs, pointed to more victories, for the Houston Jack Yates Lions.

If only the rest of the traditional poem played out in such cheerful fashion. Alas, visiting Findlay Prep (Henderson, Nev.) put the proverbial coal in the stocking of the juggernaut Class 4A Houston Yates team and its 66-game winning streak in an ESPN-televised marquee matchup with a 95-69 win at the Physical Education Arena on the campus of Texas Southern University.

Yates (Houston) fell to 8-1 in taking its first setback since Dec. 20, 2008 when it fell to Alief Elsik, 78-76 in the Houston ISD Tournament. The Lions, two-time defending Class 4A state champions, would probably have preferred to play Findlay last year with a senior-laden lineup, but did not have the opportunity. Instead, Findlay improved to 15-1 behind a star-packed team headlined by three Division I signees and an ample supply of underclassmen who are already Division I college prospects.

Yates, meanwhile, is integrating 12 new players onto a roster that returns just four players from last year's mythical national championship team.

This one, it turned out, would be one-sided in the way that Yates is accustomed to administering punishment on the opposition. The Lions' trademark trapping and pressing game was negated by a savvy Pilot team that for the most part easily broke the pressure and then found themselves on the way to some highlight reel plays, including a monster Nick Johnson one-handed tomahawk dunk to effectively finish off Yates.

Paced by Arizona signee Johnson, University of Texas signee Myck Kabongo and St. John's University signee Amir Garrett, Findlay committed "only" 17 turnovers against Coach Greg Wise's scrambling Yates squad. The problem on the defensive end, according to Yates, was that players were often in the wrong spot, which meant once the pressure was broken it was only a matter of seconds before Findlay would add to its scoring total.

Yates actually held a 27-22 lead after the first quarter, but had trouble with its scoring the remaining three periods. The Lions shot 35.7 percent for the game compared to Findlay's blistering 71.4 percent.

Kabongo was all over the place and had 18 points, eight rebounds and five assists while Johnson chipped in with 24 points and five rebounds. The pair hooked up at the outset when Kabongo found Johnson for an alley-oop jam and a 2-0 lead. Findlay went on a 20-6 tear in the first 3:43 of the second quarter to claim a 42-33 lead, one they would never relinquish.

Despite the loss, the Lions were upbeat and still look for their ultimate prize – a third consecutive state championship.

STEERING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION
While Yates had a 66-game winning streak snapped, another Class 4A boys program picked up its second consecutive win last week as the North Side (Fort Worth) Steers beat Fort Worth Dunbar, 61-57. Dunbar, a long-time state power, has fallen on tough times this year, but North Side is not apologizing for the win. After all, it marked the first time North Side had ever beaten Dunbar and the modest two-game winning streak was the team's first such streak since 2005. Jesse Priest enjoyed an all-around effort with 25 points, six rebounds, four assists and three steals.

TOP TEAM GETS TOPPLED
Upsets were at a minimum the past week, but one state No. 1 was knocked off when Class A Division I Clarendon was dropped by Class 2A and unbeaten Childress. Clarendon is now 7-3 while Childress is a sparkling 11-0.

TOURNAMENTS TAKE A BREATHER
With the Christmas holiday coming up this week, teams across the state are taking a breather from tournament action this weekend. Beginning next Monday, a number of power-packed tournaments will be played and we will as always have the tournament final results. This will cap most of the tourney action before all schools head into district play, although many have already started league action. It is also a good time before looking at last weekend's tournament results to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas.

TOURNAMENT RESULTS
BOYS
Balmorhea Bear Classic – Odessa Warriors 59, Presidio JV 43
Bloomburg Wildcat Invitational – Linden-Kildare 64, Bloomburg 47
C.E. Vail Classic – Harlingen 73, Mercedes 52
City of Palms Classic – Rowe (McAllen) 46, Weslaco 44
Sanderson Invitational – Comstock 42, Marfa 27
Smithville Tournament – Tyler 70, Smithville 51
West Rusk Tournament – Sabine (Gladewater) 76, New London West Rusk 61

GIRLS
Balmorhea Bear Classic – Balmorhea 34, Dell City 20
Bloomburg Wildcat Invitational – Avinger 55, Harleton 51
Sanderson Invitational – Comstock 17, Fort Hancock 15

R.V. Baugus is the publisher of Tex Preps Basketball magazine and texprepsbasketball.com.