Turnovers doom Findlay Prep in semifinal loss at national tournament
Findlay Prep Pilots senior Allonzo Trier (4) dribbles the ball around Montverde Academy Eagles senior Fard Muhammad (4) during the second round game between #2 seed Montverde Academy and #6 seed Findlay Prep at the 2015 Dick's Sporting Goods High School Nationals at Christ the King Regional High School on Friday, April 3, 2015, in New York. (Brett Le Blanc / Daily Commercial)
Montverde Academy Eagles head coach Kevin Boyle talks during a post game press conference after the second round game between #2 seed Montverde Academy and #6 seed Findlay Prep at the 2015 Dick's Sporting Goods High School Nationals at Christ the King Regional High School on Friday, April 3, 2015, in New York. (Brett Le Blanc / Daily Commercial)
Findlay Prep Pilots head coach Andy Johnson talks during a post game press conference after the second round game between #2 seed Montverde Academy and #6 seed Findlay Prep at the 2015 Dick's Sporting Goods High School Nationals at Christ the King Regional High School on Friday, April 3, 2015, in New York. (Brett Le Blanc / Daily Commercial)
Montverde Academy Eagles senior Martez Cameron (2) is mobbed by teammates after Montverde's overtime win over Findlay Prep at the 2015 Dick's Sporting Goods High School Nationals at Christ the King Regional High School on Friday, April 3, 2015 in New York. (Brett Le Blanc / Daily Commercial)
The Montverde Academy Eagles bench reacts to a basket during the second round game between #2 seed Montverde Academy and #6 seed Findlay Prep at the 2015 Dick's Sporting Goods High School Nationals at Christ the King Regional High School on Friday, April 3, 2015, in New York. (Brett Le Blanc / Daily Commercial)
Montverde Academy Eagles senior Marcel Ponitka (11) passes the ball behind the back of Findlay Prep Pilots sophomore Donnie Tillman (22) during the second round game between #2 seed Montverde Academy and #6 seed Findlay Prep at the 2015 Dick's Sporting Goods High School Nationals at Christ the King Regional High School on Friday, April 3, 2015 in New York. (Brett Le Blanc / Daily Commercial)
The Montverde Academy Eagles bench and fans react to a last second basket made by Montverde Academy Eagles senior Martez Cameron (2) to tie the game during the second round game between #2 seed Montverde Academy and #6 seed Findlay Prep at the 2015 Dick's Sporting Goods High School Nationals at Christ the King Regional High School on Friday, April 3, 2015 in New York. (Brett Le Blanc / Daily Commercial)
Montverde Academy Eagles head coach Kevin Boyle shouts to his players during the second round game between #2 seed Montverde Academy and #6 seed Findlay Prep at the 2015 Dick's Sporting Goods High School Nationals at Christ the King Regional High School on Friday, April 3, 2015, in New York. (Brett Le Blanc / Daily Commercial)
Montverde Academy Eagles head coach Kevin Boyle reacts to a call during the second round game between #2 seed Montverde Academy and #6 seed Findlay Prep at the 2015 Dick's Sporting Goods High School Nationals at Christ the King Regional High School on Friday, April 3, 2015, in New York. (Brett Le Blanc / Daily Commercial)
Montverde Academy Eagles senior Ben Simmons (20) shoots a lay up past Findlay Prep Pilots sophomore PJ Washington (15) during the second round game between #2 seed Montverde Academy and #6 seed Findlay Prep at the 2015 Dick's Sporting Goods High School Nationals at Christ the King Regional High School on Friday, April 3, 2015, in New York. (Brett Le Blanc / Daily Commercial)
Montverde Academy Eagles senior Marquez Letcher-Ellis (12) shoots the ball over Findlay Prep Pilots junior Justin Jackson (12) during the second round game between #2 seed Montverde Academy and #6 seed Findlay Prep at the 2015 Dick's Sporting Goods High School Nationals at Christ the King Regional High School on Friday, April 3, 2015, in New York. (Brett Le Blanc / Daily Commercial)
Findlay Prep Pilots senior Horace Spencer III (0) passes the ball around Montverde Academy Eagles senior Noah Dickerson (1) during the second round game between #2 seed Montverde Academy and #6 seed Findlay Prep at the 2015 Dick's Sporting Goods High School Nationals at Christ the King Regional High School on Friday, April 3, 2015, in New York. (Brett Le Blanc / Daily Commercial)
Findlay Prep Pilots senior Horace Spencer III (0) knocks the ball out of the hands of Montverde Academy Eagles senior Ben Simmons (20) during the second round game between #2 seed Montverde Academy and #6 seed Findlay Prep at the 2015 Dick's Sporting Goods High School Nationals at Christ the King Regional High School on Friday, April 3, 2015, in New York. (Brett Le Blanc / Daily Commercial)
Findlay Prep Pilots senior Allonzo Trier (4) shoots the ball over Montverde Academy Eagles senior Fard Muhammad (4) during the second round game between #2 seed Montverde Academy and #6 seed Findlay Prep at the 2015 Dick's Sporting Goods High School Nationals at Christ the King Regional High School on Friday, April 3, 2015, in New York. (Brett Le Blanc / Daily Commercial)
Findlay Prep Pilots head coach Andy Johnson tucks himself behind a doorway to collect himself after losing the second round game between #2 seed Montverde Academy and #6 seed Findlay Prep 57-53 at the 2015 Dick's Sporting Goods High School Nationals at Christ the King Regional High School on Friday, April 3, 2015, in New York. (Brett Le Blanc / Daily Commercial)
Findlay Prep Pilots junior Khalea Turner (24) walks off the court after losing the second round game between #2 seed Montverde Academy and #6 seed Findlay Prep 57-53 at the 2015 Dick's Sporting Goods High School Nationals at Christ the King Regional High School on Friday, April 3, 2015, in New York. (Brett Le Blanc / Daily Commercial)
Findlay Prep Pilots junior Khalea Turner (24) passes the ball around Montverde Academy Eagles senior Ben Simmons (20) during the second round game between #2 seed Montverde Academy and #6 seed Findlay Prep at the 2015 Dick's Sporting Goods High School Nationals at Christ the King Regional High School on Friday, April 3, 2015, in New York. (Brett Le Blanc / Daily Commercial)
Montverde Academy Eagles senior Ben Simmons (20) goes up for a shot during the second round game between #2 seed Montverde Academy and #6 seed Findlay Prep at the 2015 Dick's Sporting Goods High School Nationals at Christ the King Regional High School on Friday, April 3, 2015, in New York. (Brett Le Blanc / Daily Commercial)
Montverde Academy Eagles senior Noah Dickerson (1) stretches for a rebound during the second round game between #2 seed Montverde Academy and #6 seed Findlay Prep at the 2015 Dick's Sporting Goods High School Nationals at Christ the King Regional High School on Friday, April 3, 2015, in New York. (Brett Le Blanc / Daily Commercial)
The Montverde Academy Eagles react to a call during the second round game between #2 seed Montverde Academy and #6 seed Findlay Prep at the 2015 Dick's Sporting Goods High School Nationals at Christ the King Regional High School on Friday, April 3, 2015, in New York. (Brett Le Blanc / Daily Commercial)
Montverde Academy Eagles head coach Kevin Boyle disputes a call during the second round game between #2 seed Montverde Academy and #6 seed Findlay Prep at the 2015 Dick's Sporting Goods High School Nationals at Christ the King Regional High School on Friday, April 3, 2015, in New York. (Brett Le Blanc / Daily Commercial)
Efrem Montgomery, parent of Montverde Academy Eagles freshman E.J. Montgomery (3) watches the second round game between #2 seed Montverde Academy and #6 seed Findlay Prep at the 2015 Dick's Sporting Goods High School Nationals at Christ the King Regional High School on Friday, April 3, 2015, in New York. (Brett Le Blanc / Daily Commercial)
Efrem Montgomery, parent of Montverde Academy Eagles freshman E.J. Montgomery (3) cheers for Montverde during the second round game between #2 seed Montverde Academy and #6 seed Findlay Prep at the 2015 Dick's Sporting Goods High School Nationals at Christ the King Regional High School on Friday, April 3, 2015, in New York. (Brett Le Blanc / Daily Commercial)
Montverde Academy Eagles senior Ben Simmons (20) dunks the ball during the second round game between #2 seed Montverde Academy and #6 seed Findlay Prep at the 2015 Dick's Sporting Goods High School Nationals at Christ the King Regional High School on Friday, April 3, 2015, in New York. (Brett Le Blanc / Daily Commercial)
Findlay Prep Pilots senior Allonzo Trier (4) jogs back on defense after hitting a three pointer to give Findlay Prep a six point lead during the second round game between #2 seed Montverde Academy and #6 seed Findlay Prep at the 2015 Dick's Sporting Goods High School Nationals at Christ the King Regional High School on Friday, April 3, 2015, in New York. (Brett Le Blanc / Daily Commercial)
Findlay Prep Pilots senior Allonzo Trier (4) shoots the ball over Montverde Academy Eagles defenders during the second round game between #2 seed Montverde Academy and #6 seed Findlay Prep at the 2015 Dick's Sporting Goods High School Nationals at Christ the King Regional High School on Friday, April 3, 2015, in New York. (Brett Le Blanc / Daily Commercial)
Findlay Prep Pilots senior Allonzo Trier (4) dribbles the ball around Montverde Academy Eagles junior Howard Washington (10) during the second round game between #2 seed Montverde Academy and #6 seed Findlay Prep at the 2015 Dick's Sporting Goods High School Nationals at Christ the King Regional High School on Friday, April 3, 2015, in New York. (Brett Le Blanc / Daily Commercial)
Montverde Academy Eagles head coach Kevin Boyle shouts to his players during the second round game between #2 seed Montverde Academy and #6 seed Findlay Prep at the 2015 Dick's Sporting Goods High School Nationals at Christ the King Regional High School on Friday, April 3, 2015, in New York. (Brett Le Blanc / Daily Commercial)
Findlay Prep Pilots junior Derryck Thornton Jr (5) dribbles the ball around Montverde Academy Eagles senior Martez Cameron (2) during the second round game between #2 seed Montverde Academy and #6 seed Findlay Prep at the 2015 Dick's Sporting Goods High School Nationals at Christ the King Regional High School on Friday, April 3, 2015, in New York. (Brett Le Blanc / Daily Commercial)
Findlay Prep Pilots junior Justin Jackson (12) tries to shoot the ball over Montverde Academy Eagles senior Doral Moore (22) and freshman E.J. Montgomery (3) during the second round game between #2 seed Montverde Academy and #6 seed Findlay Prep at the 2015 Dick's Sporting Goods High School Nationals at Christ the King Regional High School on Friday, April 3, 2015, in New York. (Brett Le Blanc / Daily Commercial)
Montverde Academy Eagles head coach Kevin Boyle shouts to his players during the second round game between #2 seed Montverde Academy and #6 seed Findlay Prep at the 2015 Dick's Sporting Goods High School Nationals at Christ the King Regional High School on Friday, April 3, 2015, in New York. (Brett Le Blanc / Daily Commercial)
Findlay Prep Pilots junior Justin Jackson (12) shoots the ball over Montverde Academy Eagles senior Noah Dickerson (1) during the second round game between #2 seed Montverde Academy and #6 seed Findlay Prep at the 2015 Dick's Sporting Goods High School Nationals at Christ the King Regional High School on Friday, April 3, 2015, in New York. (Brett Le Blanc / Daily Commercial)
Montverde Academy Eagles senior Noah Dickerson (1) passes the ball around Findlay Prep Pilots sophomore O'Shae Brissett (11) during the second round game between #2 seed Montverde Academy and #6 seed Findlay Prep at the 2015 Dick's Sporting Goods High School Nationals at Christ the King Regional High School on Friday, April 3, 2015, in New York. (Brett Le Blanc / Daily Commercial)
Findlay Prep Pilots sophomore O'Shae Brissett (22) takes a shot during the second round game between #2 seed Montverde Academy and #6 seed Findlay Prep at the 2015 Dick's Sporting Goods High School Nationals at Christ the King Regional High School on Friday, April 3, 2015, in New York. (Brett Le Blanc / Daily Commercial)
Montverde Academy Eagles senior Marquez Letcher-Ellis (12) battles with Findlay Prep Pilots sophomore O'Shae Brissett (11) for a rebound during the second round game between #2 seed Montverde Academy and #6 seed Findlay Prep at the 2015 Dick's Sporting Goods High School Nationals at Christ the King Regional High School on Friday, April 3, 2015, in New York. (Brett Le Blanc / Daily Commercial)
Montverde Academy Eagles senior Marquez Letcher-Ellis (12) shoots a lay up during the second round game between #2 seed Montverde Academy and #6 seed Findlay Prep at the 2015 Dick's Sporting Goods High School Nationals at Christ the King Regional High School on Friday, April 3, 2015, in New York. (Brett Le Blanc / Daily Commercial)
Montverde Academy Eagles senior Noah Dickerson (1) shoots a free-throw during the second round game between #2 seed Montverde Academy and #6 seed Findlay Prep at the 2015 Dick's Sporting Goods High School Nationals at Christ the King Regional High School on Friday, April 3, 2015, in New York. (Brett Le Blanc / Daily Commercial)
Montverde Academy Eagles senior Doral Moore (22) dunks the ball during the second round game between #2 seed Montverde Academy and #6 seed Findlay Prep at the 2015 Dick's Sporting Goods High School Nationals at Christ the King Regional High School on Friday, April 3, 2015, in New York. (Brett Le Blanc / Daily Commercial)
Montverde Academy Eagles senior Ben Simmons (20) drives the ball to the basket during the second round game between #2 seed Montverde Academy and #6 seed Findlay Prep at the 2015 Dick's Sporting Goods High School Nationals at Christ the King Regional High School on Friday, April 3, 2015, in New York. (Brett Le Blanc / Daily Commercial)
Findlay Prep Pilots junior Derryck Thornton Jr (5) shoots the ball over Montverde Academy Eagles junior Kevin Cham (44) during the second round game between #2 seed Montverde Academy and #6 seed Findlay Prep at the 2015 Dick's Sporting Goods High School Nationals at Christ the King Regional High School on Friday, April 3, 2015, in New York. (Brett Le Blanc / Daily Commercial)
Findlay Prep Pilots head coach Andy Johnson walks the sideline during the second round game between #2 seed Montverde Academy and #6 seed Findlay Prep at the 2015 Dick's Sporting Goods High School Nationals at Christ the King Regional High School on Friday, April 3, 2015, in New York. (Brett Le Blanc / Daily Commercial)
Montverde Academy Eagles senior Ben Simmons (20) shoots the ball over a Findlay Prep Pilots defender during the second round game between #2 seed Montverde Academy and #6 seed Findlay Prep at the 2015 Dick's Sporting Goods High School Nationals at Christ the King Regional High School on Friday, April 3, 2015, in New York. (Brett Le Blanc / Daily Commercial)
Montverde Academy Eagles senior Ben Simmons (20) shoots a lay up past Findlay Prep Pilots sophomore PJ Washington (15) during the second round game between #2 seed Montverde Academy and #6 seed Findlay Prep at the 2015 Dick's Sporting Goods High School Nationals at Christ the King Regional High School on Friday, April 3, 2015, in New York. (Brett Le Blanc / Daily Commercial)
Findlay Prep Pilots senior Allonzo Trier (4) dribbles the ball around Montverde Academy Eagles senior Fard Muhammad (4) during the second round game between #2 seed Montverde Academy and #6 seed Findlay Prep at the 2015 Dick's Sporting Goods High School Nationals at Christ the King Regional High School on Friday, April 3, 2015, in New York. (Brett Le Blanc / Daily Commercial)
Derryck Thornton’s crossover dribble that was so spectacular it could have broken Montverde Academy star Ben Simmons’ ankles in the first quarter is certain to be an Internet sensation.
There might be a popular meme featuring P.J. Washington’s ferocious two-handed jam from early in the second half.
And the stepback, 17-foot baseline jumper Allonzo Trier made late in the third quarter after a behind-the-back dribble was worthy of any TV highlight show.
Yes, Findlay Prep’s boys basketball team made all the flashy plays Friday. It was the Pilots’ inability to make the simple ones that cost them a chance to play for a national title.
Findlay Prep committed 27 turnovers and was unable to corral two long rebounds at the end of regulation, and the Pilots lost 57-53 in overtime to Montverde Academy (Fla.) in the semifinals of the High School National Tournament in New York City.
“Every year our goal is to try to win the national championship, but I’m really happy and pleased with our guys’ effort and attitude all season long,” first-year Pilots coach Andy Johnson said. “We had a few opportunities to try to win the game, but, you know, unfortunately, sometimes the ball just doesn’t bounce your way.”
Trier was the only player to reach double figures in scoring for Findlay Prep (29-3), as the Arizona signee finished with 27 points, eight rebounds and two steals. The Pilots made 16 of their 49 shots (32.7 percent) and had five of their 10 players foul out as they tried to contain Simmons, the consensus No. 1 player in the class of 2015.
Noah Dickerson made a 3-pointer — Montverde was 0-for-22 from beyond the arc to that point — to cut Findlay Prep’s lead to 41-40 with 24 seconds left in the fourth quarter. After Thornton made 1 of 2 from the free-throw line to put the Pilots up by two points, Dickerson was fouled with 5.9 seconds.
The 6-foot-8-inch Florida commit missed both free throws, but Howard Washington grabbed the long rebound for the Eagles and fired up a quick baseline jumper that didn’t fall. The ball bounced to Martez Cameron in the middle of the lane, and he scooped in the game-tying shot at the buzzer.
“It was a lucky bounce, and they made one more play than we did,” Johnson said.
In the overtime, Findlay led 50-48 with 1:33 remaining when Trier made both free throws after a technical foul. But Khalea Turner was whistled for a technical before play resumed, and Simmons went 2-for-2 at the line to tie the game.
Fard Muhammad then made a 3-pointer on the ensuing possession to give the Eagles (30-1) a 53-50 lead with 1:20 left, and the Pilots couldn’t get closer than one point the rest of the way.
“They did a great job trapping a lot of ball screens,” Johnson said. “We coughed it up as a team way too much today, and in the end, you can’t cough it up as much as we did and have an opportunity to beat a good team like Montverde.”
Simmons finished with 24 points, 14 rebounds and six assists for the Eagles but went 5-for-15 from the field as Findlay Prep focused its defense on the Louisiana State commit. Montverde, ranked No. 2 in the USA Today Super 25, shot 25 percent from the floor (16-for-64) and made only 23 of 42 from the foul line.
Contact reporter David Schoen at dschoen@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-5203. Follow him on Twitter: @DavidSchoenLVRJ.
