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Published Thursday, Dec. 17, 2009 | 6:02 p.m.
Updated Thursday, Dec. 17, 2009 | 8:09 p.m.
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Sun coverage
Findlay Prep basketball coach Mike Peck walked into his team's locker room Thursday night at Otterbein College in Westerville, Ohio, and had to do something he's only done once before — give a postgame speech to his perennial national-power high school team following a loss.
The Pilots on Thursday erased a 14-point second-half deficit against Northland High of Columbus, Ohio, but didn't have any answers for Northland star forward Jared Sullinger in a 53-52 defeat to snap Findlay's 45-game winning streak. The game was televised on ESPN to debut the network's high school basketball coverage this winter.
The rare loss dropped Findlay's record to 77-2 under Peck. His message to the team afterward was simple — let's get ready for the next game.
"You to have to learn from it and move on," Peck said. "You have to learn from it just like you would any win or loss. If we don't get past it, we'll lose another one."
Sullinger, an Ohio State commit and the reigning Ohio Player of the Year, finished with 32 points and drained a pair of free throws with four seconds left for the game-winning points.
Findlay, the nation's No. 1-ranked team according to the ESPN poll and defending national champions, had no answers for the 6-foot-8, 260-pound Sullinger. The nation's No. 2-ranked prospect by ESPN, Sullinger also had 17 rebounds and connected on all 10 of his free throws.
"He's just so big and has such a big wingspan and ball-handling skills," Peck said. "He created a big match-up problem for us."
Sullinger outscored Findlay 16-15 in the first half to help Northland build a double-digit lead. Findlay entered averaging more than 100 points a game but did not score in the final four minutes of the second quarter.
"You just can't spot a team like that a half," Peck said. "That was the game right there. We lost the game in the first half."
Findlay (12-1) trailed 29-15 at halftime, and with 5:42 left took its first lead since the initial two minutes of the game on a 3-pointer from Jabari Brown. Cory Joseph followed by stealing the ensuing inbounds pass and made a layup, giving Findlay its biggest advantage, 44-41.
But Northland, the defending Ohio large-school state champions, retook the lead with an 8-2 run.
Joseph, the nation's No. 30-ranked recruit by ESPN, drained a jumper with 13 seconds to play that gave Findlay a 52-51 lead.
But Sullinger was fouled by Findlay's Tristan Thompson and hit both foul shots for the win. Thompson fouled out on the play, finishing with 18 points. Joseph, who was limited to two points in the first half on 1-of-6 shooting, finished with 10 points.
Findlay will be back in action Saturday in Fort Myers, Fla., in a four-day tournament hosted by Bishop Verot High.
Not usually one to complain about the refs, but three calls against Thompson that were totally bogus kept them from winning that game. Especially the last one to put that kid on the line with 4 seconds to go.
Wow that was the worst first half of basketball I have ever seen Findlay play. It was pitiful to watch! That kid Jared Sullinger completely exposed our big man Tristan Thompson. Sullinger was smooth, let the game come to him, and scored effortlessly. Meanwhile, Thompson was out of control all night. He did the same spin move virtually every possesion which either drew a charge or a turnover. I also wish he would stop handling the ball so much, he's a turnover waiting to happen get the ball in the hands of the guards please! Also where was point guard Cory Joseph I wasn't even sure if he was playing, he was invisible out there. With all that said they still had a shot to win the game but Thompson decided to hug Sullinger down the court up 1 point with 9 seconds to go and commit a foul rather than making Sullinger hit a tough shot to beat them. Also, it's tough to go undefeated in a nationally ranked schedule when there is no bench whatsoever.
I was surprised that Coach Peck did not take steps to try to take the ball out of Sullinger's hands. They didn't try to front him. They didn't try to double him once he put the ball on the floor when he was posting up fifteen feet from the basket. He may be a good passer, but at some point you have to at least see if there is anyone else on the opponent who is capable of beating you. Especially, when the guy killing you is 60% of their scoring offense in that game.
Im not a Findlay booster or parent..but watching that game I saw one thing.I saw a team being treated unfairly. Findlay plays college defense and alot of high school refs dont know how to call it.The last play by Tristan was not a foul. Sullinger was out of control and was trying to bully his way down court and did it all game.Those Ohio refs where not calling the game fair at all. You dont think some of these state federations have a problem with Findlay? I dont see them getting any fair calls anywhere outside of Henderson. Its sad because at the end of the day they are still kids. It is a unwritten rule among refs....Your call should not decide the game. I guess they dont teach that in Ohio....Cheaters...I hope Oregon blows out Ohio State
wah wah wah they lost a basketball game get over it. Findlay averages 100 points a game, i wonder what kind of defense they are used to facing because i cannot see them scoring 100 points on anybody in the midwest. Like the other guy said these are kids and findlay prep recruits from all over the world. Northland High school is a city school without the resources or recruiting power or the atmosphere to even play on findlay's level But they not only played with findlay they smacked them. Life is like a box a chocolates.
I'm Mike Pecks nephew ha i feel like a boss