Critics see Findlay Prep going 33-0 playing by its own rules

When the Findlay Prep boys basketball team captured the National High School Invitational championship April 5, it brought the third-year program the closest thing in existence to a national title.

But the invitational also produced a national media backlash that included a Sports Illustrated feature scrutinizing the big-business culture surrounding high school sports on the national stage.

The story also investigated how Findlay Prep could be the top high school basketball team in the nation when no such school exists. Its players are students at The Henderson International School.

While at a pep rally Wednesday at Henderson International to celebrate the Pilots' championship, the school's academic and athletic personnel defended Findlay Prep's relationship with Henderson International.

"I think it brings kids of good character who happen to have great basketball ability into a program academically that is preparing them for college and later life," said Jon McGill, Henderson International's head of schools.

McGill said Henderson International has an enrollment of roughly 800, about 80 of which are high school students. Eight of those students play for Findlay Prep, which was founded and bankrolled in 2006 by auto magnate Cliff Findlay, who was unable to attend the pep rally.

Findlay Prep is not part of the Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association, and Henderson International is not within the Clark County School District. That means Pilots players "are not forced to follow anything" as far as academic eligibility requirements, said Michael Ostrowski, athletic director for Findlay Prep and Henderson International's NIAA Class 1A teams.

But Pilots coach Michael Peck said his program adopted its own academic guidelines -- similar to NCAA policy -- that his players must follow.

Peck said Findlay Prep players are only eligible to play if they maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA and are enrolled in a full load of courses that fulfills core requirements.

"We're not going to hold them to a lower standard than the NCAA, and we're not going to hold them to a standard that's not realistic," Peck said.

McGill added: "The kids are fully integrated. They're full-time students. They participate in our (advanced placement) program. All the curriculum is open to them."

Peck insisted his program does not serve as a feeder school for UNLV, which would violate NCAA rules.

Sports Illustrated reported April 9: "Given Findlay's status as a UNLV booster, it's not surprising that there are whispers in recruiting circles that Findlay Prep players are steered toward the Runnin' Rebels."

Peck denied that Wednesday. He was UNLV's video coordinator until he was hired as Findlay Prep's head coach in 2007. Since then, the Pilots have churned out two UNLV signees in Rebels freshman Brice Massamba and incoming recruit Carlos Lopez.

"As far as a pipeline, there's nothing in writing," Peck said. "Do they have an advantage? You can argue yes or no.

"Geographically, we're close. Is that an advantage? Some would say yes. I don't think it is, because nowadays, people can get here in a quick plane ride. It's just coincidental that I was there on staff."

Led by McDonald's All-American guard Avery Bradley, who has signed with Texas, the Pilots finished 33-0 and ranked No. 1 nationally by USA Today and ESPN.

When he left Puerto Rico to join Findlay Prep for its inaugural season in 2006-07, Lopez didn't speak English. He now is fluent, has secured a college scholarship and will graduate from Henderson International on May 23 with plans to major in sports medicine at UNLV.

"I came from Puerto Rico without speaking English," he said. "Now it's so much different. When your mom says, 'I'm so proud of you,' it's just a great feeling to keep working hard for the next level."

McGill said success stories like Lopez's are role models for Henderson International students.

Asked what the benefit is for Henderson International to host Findlay Prep, he said: "Most recently, I think, is the publicity that comes with their national exposure. But I think the real benefit is for other kids who are here, to see that student athletes can be students first and athletes second."

Contact reporter Tristan Aird at taird@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-5203.