Findlay looking for repeat of last year, plus a championship

By Rob Miech (contact)

Thursday, Nov. 13, 2008 | 2 a.m.

Rob Miech

New Findlay College Prep point guard Cory Joseph poses after a recent practice. The junior from suburban Toronto hopes to guide the third-year Pilots, who went 32-1 last season, to the national title that eluded them one year ago.

University of Minnesota

Devoe Joseph

Cory Joseph launched the first strike.

The new point guard of the third-year Findlay College Prep basketball program, Joseph, a junior, glowed about last season’s Pilots – with a qualifier.

They went 32-1, losing their only game in the National Prep Championship to Hargrave Military Academy, in the Bronx, N.Y.

“They had an incredible season,” Joseph said. “They put our name on the map. We have a lot to live up to … but they came up short.

“Hopefully, we win that title this year.”

A few miles north on Eastern and west on Tropicana, UNLV freshman Brice Massamba reacted to Joesph’s statement after a Rebels’ practice.

Massamba was a reserve center on last season’s Findlay team.

“Good luck,” he said with a wide smile.

Findlay’s fortunes start this weekend, when it starts its season in Michigan. It will play in Rhode Island next weekend, and a host of Las Vegas-area schools (see chart below) are on its schedule.

Much of that fortune will be in Joseph’s hands.

He is full of youthful exuberance, which can be as endearing and playful as it is irritating.

Pilots coach Mike Peck is just coming around to a habit of Joseph’s that he wants to wean from his system.

At a recent late-night practice, Joseph went coast-to-coast for an exciting dunk, all with the top of the front of his jersey in his mouth.

Like a puppy unwilling to release a rawhide chew toy.

“As far as competition goes, he gets it,” Peck said. “He understands the bottom line – competing to win. With that, we’ll have to nurture him and kind of grow with him through his development.”

Peck won’t mind nurturing the young talent because of the nature of Findlay’s position.

Even though it has moved from post-graduate status, typical of prep schools, to a more conventional high school (by not accepting fifth-year prepsters), it will still experience rapid turnover.

It is a haven for basketball players with some talent, who might not be so well off, who hope to hone their academic skills for college.

Former UNLV center and Las Vegas-area automobile magnate Cliff Findlay sponsors the program, which is affiliated with the prestigious Henderson International School.

So knowing the point guard position will be in capable hands for two seasons is a luxury.

“It really is,” Peck said. “It’s huge that we got a guy coming back next season at that spot, and we’ve known it from day one.”

As usual, the Pilots, ranked among the top 10 in many national preseason polls, are loaded.

Guards Avery Bradley and D.J. Richardson have committed to Texas and Illinois, respectively, and power forward Carlos Lopez will play with Massamba at UNLV next season.

Victor Rudd, from the high school where “Fast Times at Ridgemont High” was filmed, looks like he’ll take over as the team’s dynamic dunker after Clarence Trent left for North Carolina.

Godwin Okonji, a junior forward from Nigeria whose game has come a long way in 14 months, will be a team favorite because of his unselfishness.

Joseph is just as selfless.

“I want everyone to get shots,” he said. “I’m used to sharing the ball.”

Joseph was shown the route from suburban Toronto, in Ajax, to elite basketball from his brother, Devoe, who is a freshman at Minnesota.

The one-on-one battles between the mirror images – both are 6-feet-3, 170 pounds – are legendary.

“He and his mom said it was pretty rough in that driveway,” Peck said. “Yeah, they’re competitive. At the same time, they’re good, close friends. They have always pushed each other.”

Cory Joseph is fascinated as he watches someone write down his every word, as if what he says is so valuable.

He likes soccer and music. When he’s asked about the challenging curriculum at Henderson International, he pauses. The classroom, he said, is just like the basketball court.

“You just keep your head up,” Joesph said, “and do what you have to do.”