NHSI ‘Chip’ Day Results

Ron Bailey, Publisher

The National High School Invitational again delivered.

April 4, 2010 – This year’s National High School Invitational (the second of its kind), spearheaded again by ESPN and RISE magazine, didn’t fail thrill observers and participants alike; over the course of three days at Coppin University’s impressive PE Center, eight boys teams and four comprised of girls battled for champion honors. The action was not simply province of those on-site, as ESPN televised games to a national TV audience.

Hats off to the staff at ESPN, particularly the organization’s head of P.R, Crystal Howard, who again ensured flawless event execution and hospitality. She’s a true pro.

Now, the championship round games.

Findlay 59 Montverde 46 (Box score)

The Findlay Prep Pilots (32-2) notched a three-fer, as the team, coached by Mike Peck not only avenged a regular season loss to Montverde (23-5), but did so in a ‘chip’ game. Furthermore Findlay (NV) secured consecutive NHSI titles in the process. It took a second half surge to garner the hardware via a 59-46 victory.

“The thing for us is our defense; play the game in the backcourt” said Peck afterward, later noting “In the third and fourth quarters you see the results”.

Findlay with NHSI hardware

He was discussing Findlay being only up a point at intermission, yet being able to distance itself in part due to a 13-0 run. Fueling their second stanza domination was defensive pressure, as the Pilots started to guard the ball and other assignments full court while also trapping at times.

“Most definitely, we had to pick it up” said event MVP and Findlay’s leading scorer, Corey Joseph (17 points, four rebounds, three steals). His Montverde (FL) point guard counterpoint, Kaleb Clyburn (five points, three rebounds, three assists) acknowledged the pressure, saying during the second half “We weren’t getting into our offense…We took too man threes instead of attacking them”. Both are seniors and have not picked a school.

Montverde’s head man, Kevin Sutton, eventually allowed others to initiate the offense in half court settings – particularly seniors Jamail Jones (21 points, seven rebounds) and James Bell (10 points, four rebounds) - but the Eagles still struggled, shooting just 30% in the second stanza. Illustrating their travails were turnover marks of four and five for Jones and Bell, respectively. Marquette will welcome the former next year, while the latter is Villanova-bound.

Complimenting Findlay’s excellent defensive intensity was junior Nick Johnson’s 15 points. Peck joked afterward “He finally hit a three for us”, but then proudly said “That’s what players do!” Johnson, who hasn’t identified a future college home, shared his shooting philosophy as “My dad always told me it doesn’t matter about the last shot”. His three-ball with about seven minutes remaining in third quarter action gave the Pilots a much needed four point cushion. For the game, the Pilots converted 47.7% of their shots.

Corey Joseph (5) was relentless.

While Johnson hit largely from the perimeter and Joseph scored from multiple spots on the floor, senior forward Tristan Thompson, headed to Texas next year, did work around the tin, scoring 15 points and corralling 11 rebounds.

Summing his team’s experience, Peck said the NHSI is “just such a great event, it brings closure to a season”. Let's see, on tap for Findlay was a defacto national championship, won in the Charm City before solid crowds and a national TV audience, against a team that previously rung a ‘L’ on the team. And one can’t forget the Pilots are now considered arguably the best in the land. More than just closure was garnered, to say the least.

This game featured the NHSI’s first (Findlay) and second seated teams.

Peddie School 60 Oak Hill Warriors 44 (Box score)

Having won its 14th straight New Jersey Prep A title, Peddie entered the NHSI ranked first in girls division action. The Belles didn’t disappoint, downing third slotted Oak Hill’s Warriors (VA), 60-44. Into the fourth quarter Peddie (23-2) led by close to 20 points.

Senior guard Nekole Jackson led Peddie with 21 points. Headed to Bryant University next year, Jackson scored 17 in the first half, while also contributing five rebounds during the contest.

Nekol Jackson challenges Ariel Johnson (black).

Haley Peters, a senior forward who dropped 12 points and seven rebounds for Peddie and will be a Duke Blue Devil next year was key, while unsigned senior forward Bridgette McKnight contributed seven points, nine boards and five dimes. She is mulling some Division I walk-on opportunities, and is believed by Peddie head guy Sean Cassey to be “the best role player in the country”. Fellow fourth year student athlete, swingman Alex Smith supplied eight points and five rebounds (she’s headed to Holy Cross).

“It all starts with these four” said Cassey of the Smith, McKnight, Jackson and Peters quartet. “They play with a high level of focus”.

Peddie during post game celebrations.

Oak Hill (22-4) got 25 points, nine rebounds and seven blocks from sophomore center and orally committed future Georgia Bulldog, Ariel Johnson.

“Our game plan was to pound it in” to Johnson said Oak Hill’s coach Mike Rodgers later allowing “their press did speed us up a tick”, helping to create their 32.6% shooting mark. Peddie tickled the twine at 39.3% for the game, 43.3% during second half action.