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Arizona commitment Nick Johnson is back from Findlay Prep's 32-2 team that ended the 2009-10 season by winning the National High School Invitational.
<center>Photo by Lonnie Webb</center>
Head coach: Michael Peck
2009-2010 record: 32-2, National High School Invitational Champions, No. 5 in final Xcellent 25 national rankings
Key returnees: Nick Johnson (6-3, 190, Sr., G, committed to Arizona), Winston Shepard (6-8, 205, Jr., F), Nigel Williams-Goss (6-4, 180, So., G)
Keep an eye on: Anthony Bennett (6-7, 230, Jr., F), Benas Griciunas (6-8, 215, So., F), Amir Garrett (6-6, 205, Sr., G/F), Myck Kabongo (6-2, 175, Sr., G, Texas), Kevin Kaspar (6-0, 175, Sr., G), Nazareth Long (6-3, 180, Jr., G), Landen Lucas (6-9, 240, Jr., F/C)
Scouting report: Even with two of the top 25 seniors in America and a 94-3 record as head coach of the program, Peck is approaching this season with cautious optimism.
"It's been a great group. They are very receptive and doing everything we are asking them to do," Peck said. "But with seven new players, it's a different group and with our tough schedule, until we go out there I just don't know how we will do."
Leading the way will be the backcourt combination of Johnson – and Arizona commitment rated No. 18 nationally among all seniors – and St. Benedict's Prep transfer Myck Kabongo, an All-American for the Gray Bees last year as they finished ranked No. 2 nationally. Kabongo is the No. 11-ranked senior and a Texas verbal commitment.
"One of Myck's strengths is defending. He's got that in him. He likes it and that's a huge head start for us," Peck said. "What he has done with Danny (Hurley) at St. Ben's, he was a huge part of their success."
Williams-Goss and Kaspar will also be major contributors at the guard positions. Kaspar, a native of Turkey, has opened his coach's eyes early on.
"He has been a delight to have," Peck said. "He has a great feel for the game and an unbelievable team guy. He's tough, quick and just a good basketball player. He's going to get major minutes and be a key factor for us."
University of Texas freshman Tristan Thompson is gone from the Pilot frontcourt, but transfers Bennett (from Mountain State Academy in West Virginia) and Lucas (from Sunset High School in Portland, Ore.) along with holdover Shepard give Findlay Prep plenty of size and strength.
Defending national champion Yates of Houston, Texas, stands in the way Dec. 16. That game will be televised on ESPN. The Pilots will also participate in the Spalding Hoophall Classic (vs. Dallas Lincoln), Montverde Academy Invitational and the PrimeTime Shootout (Montrose Christian). A two-game swing through Memphis, Tenn., to take on local powers White Station and Ridgeway will also provide a stiff test.
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