Findlay Prep sizes up opponent, advances

Findlay Prep basketball coach Andy Johnson said he wanted his players to “dirty the paint” in Thursday’s game against Blanche Ely (Fla.).

The first-year coach, who has six players 6 feet 8 inches or taller, got his wish against the much smaller Tigers, whose biggest player stands 6-7.

The sixth-seeded Pilots used that size to grab a 63-50 victory over previously unbeaten No. 3 seed Blanche Ely in the quarterfinals of the Dick’s Sporting Goods High School National Tournament in New York City.

Findlay (29-2) advanced to a semifinal at noon today on ESPN2 (Cox 31) against No. 2 seed Montverde Academy (Fla.) at Christ the King High School. Montverde (29-1) was a 50-34 first-round winner over No. 7 Greensboro Day (N.C.).

“Our goal was to get as many touches as we could before we sent it down to the post,” Johnson said. “I think we did a really good job of that. All 10 of our guys really contributed and helped us out.”

Arizona signee Allonzo Trier led four double-figure scorers with 18 points for Findlay Prep, which compiled a 36-24 scoring edge in the paint against Blanche Ely (28-1). The Pilots also had a 46-24 rebounding margin and finished with nine blocks.

“We went into a 2-3 zone (late), and I really think that switched what Blanche Ely did,” Johnson said. “It stopped them from getting into the paint. And we used our length to contest shots.”

Trier, who played in the McDonald’s All American Game on Wednesday in Chicago and arrived in New York less than two hours before tipoff, made a 3-pointer with five minutes to play, giving Findlay Prep a 48-46 lead. That ignited the Pilots’ game-closing 18-4 run.

“It was a huge 3,” Johnson said. “It was the momentum-changing play of the game. (Trier) put in a special effort today. I was really proud of him, especially on two hours of sleep.”

Findlay Prep’s Justin Jackson, who has orally committed to UNLV, scored 12 of his 16 points in the first half, which ended tied at 33. Jackson also supplied six rebounds, three blocks and three steals for the Pilots, who trailed 44-42 after three quarters before going on a 10-2 run to start the fourth.

P.J. Washington had 10 points and 12 rebounds for Findlay Prep, and Derryck Thornton scored 10. Horace Spencer finished with seven points, eight rebounds and four blocks.

Contact reporter Ashton Ferguson at aferguson@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0430. Follow him on Twitter: @af_ferguson.