Findlay races to 17-0; USC moves into Rudd picture

Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2009 | 10:51 p.m.

Lake Mead Christian basketball coach Jeff Newton is grateful that Findlay College Prep asked the Eagles to play this season.

Findlay improved to 17-0 on Tuesday night by slamming Lake Mead, 88-52, but the final numbers didn’t concern Newton.

It mattered to Newton that Findlay coach Mike Peck rang him in the offseason with the offer to play.

“We considered it a privilege,” Newton said. “The NIAA allows them to play seven teams in the state, and it’s a compliment that he called. I hope he got something out of it.

“We had everything to gain and nothing to lose.”

The Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association capped Findlay’s Silver State competition maximum at seven, because it isn’t a member of the state’s athletic association.

That’s why Findlay plays out of town so frequently. It’s been to Michigan, Rhode Island and Kentucky for games and tournaments this season.

The Pilots play in the Flyin’ to the Hoop tournament in Dayton, Ohio, on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. A game against Cleveland (Ohio) Garfield Heights on Saturday night is one to be circled.

Peck’s friends on the staff at Cleveland State have apprised him of Garfield.

“They play extremely hard,” Peck said. “They’ll be ready.”

Findlay remained No. 2 in the USA Today national Super 25 poll that was released Tuesday because Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei remained undefeated at 15-0.

The Pilots have said they’d like to eventually play Mater Dei in the national championship tournament in Washington, D.C., in March.

In the meantime, they’ll work toward getting to D.C.

Senior guard Avery Bradley, who will play at Texas next fall, led everyone with 26 points against Lake Mead. Senior forward Victor Rudd had 18 and point guard Cory Joseph added 14.

For Rudd, it was his first game since serving a suspension at last Saturday’s victory at Canyon Springs. Bill Hankins, Rudd’s guardian, said he failed to turn in a paper on time.

"Will never happen again," Rudd said.

Findlay is affiliated with the prestigious and demanding Henderson International School, and Pilots players get no breaks in the classroom.

“I was just trying to get back into it,” Rudd said of Tuesday's game. “I didn’t want to force it.”

Nursing a 9-8 advantage in the first quarter, Findlay started running away from Lake Mead by scoring the final 12 points of the quarter.

It was 28-13 when Rudd stole a pass and sailed in for a high, hard dunk, drilled a 3-pointer and then sank a jumper from the left side for a 35-13 edge.

Not a bad showing before Southern California assistant coach Gib Arnold. The Trojans are getting involved with Rudd and, apparently, aren't not too late.

“I’ve got to look at them,” Rudd said. “The hometown team.”

Rudd hails from the San Fernando Valley area north of Los Angeles.

In addition, Gonzaga coach Mark Few visited Findlay’s practice Monday. Rudd said he and Few talked for about five seconds and exchanged phone numbers.

UNLV coach Lon Kruger and his assistants have regularly showed at Findlay's game, but they weren't at the Henderson gym Tuesday night because they had flown to Colorado State for a game Wednesday night.

Rudd made an unofficial visit to a recent UNLV practice, and Hankins said the Rebels are near or at the top of Rudd’s list.

“UNLV’s definitely there,” Hankins said. “We like everything about them. They’re trying to get back to national prominence. There are some who fall off, who don’t make it back.”

Arizona and Marquette are also on Rudd’s list.

Newton was just happy he was on Findlay’s.

“I was very proud that we didn’t give up,” Newton said of his 10-5 Eagles. “That says a lot about their character.”