In the biggest early game of the high school basketball season,
Findlay Prep (Henderson, Nev.) put a halt to the nation's second-longest winning streak by knocking off
Marcus (Flower Mound, Texas), 47-39.
The game pitted the No. 1-ranked teams in both of MaxPreps.com's basketball rankings. Findlay Prep entered at No. 1 in the
Academy Top 10 while Marcus topped the
Xcellent 25 High School rankings.
Anthony Bennett, Findlay Prep
Photo by Nick Koza
, an uncommitted 6-foot-8 senior ranked No. 20 in the MaxPreps Class of 2012 Top 100, led Findlay Prep with 19 points and 12 assists.
Nigel Williams-Goss also finished in double figures for the Pilots with 10 points.
A raucous atmosphere at Lancaster High School outside of Dallas may have contributed to some early jitters and a 20-18 halftime lead for Marcus, according to Findlay Prep head coach Michael Peck.
"The atmosphere was something we haven't been in this season," Peck said. "Our kids hadn't experienced that and I think we were a bit uneasy and quick to try and make plays. We settled down in the second half."
Findlay Prep's victory halted a Marcus win streak that dated back to December of last year. The Marauders – defending Class 5A state champions in Texas – had won 42 straight contests.
Wichita Heights (Wichita, Kan.) owns the nation's longest streak, extending it to 45 games with a season-opening win Friday night.
It also marks the second-straight season the Nevada power has knocked off a defending champ in the Lone Star State. Findlay Prep beat 2010 Class 4A state titlist
Yates (Houston) in a lopsided contest last season.
The Pilots used a no-help concept to limit Marcus' top two scorers –
Marcus Smart and
Phil Forte – to a combined 16 points. Smart scored a team-high 14 for the Texas squad.
"It's a pretty basic defensive concept, just guard your guy," Peck said. "Whoever was guarding those two wasn't worried about the other three. We just told our guys if you get switched on to one of those guys, stay with them."
As expected, the contest was a dogfight with both programs known for defensive-minded approaches.
"That might be the best-coached team we've ever gone against," Peck said of Marcus. "They are so disciplined and do an unbelievable job of packing it in defensively."
The highly-anticipated matchup was the headliner of the Throwdown in D-Town Classic in Lancaster, Texas.
Oak Hill, Smith-Rivera impressive at Marshall County HoopfestOak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.) – ranked No. 2 in this week's Academy Top 10 – capped an impressive weekend at the Marshall County Hoopfest in Benton, Ky., with a 77-59 win over No. 8
La Lumiere (LaPorte, Ind.) on Saturday night.
D'Vauntes Smith-Rivera led the Warriors with 25 points as they improved to 12-0 on the season.
A night earlier, Oak Hill dismantled
Hales Franciscan (Chicago, Ill.) 108-66. Smith-Rivera, a 6-2 shooting guard and future Georgetown Hoya, contributed a game-high 24 points in that one.
The next two weeks will be pivotal for head coach Steve Smith's squad. Oak Hill faces a pair of Xcellent 25-ranked teams – No. 8
Grace Prep (Arlington, Texas) at the National High School Hoops Festival next Saturday in Maryland and at No. 3
Miller Grove (Lithonia, Ga.) in an ESPN-televised affair Dec. 15.
