Friday, April 2, 2010 | 12:52 p.m.
Related stories
- Findlay Prep races to easy quarterfinal win at ESPN tourney (4-1-2010)
- Joseph, Thompson play reserve role in West's victory at McDonald's All-American game (3-31-2010)
- Findlay Prep ready to defend national title at ESPN event (3-29-2010)
- Findlay Prep duo, coach selected for Jordan all-star game (3-06-2010)
- Cory Joseph, others honored for being named to McDonald's team (3-02-2010)
- Coach confident Findlay basketball program will continue past this year (2-28-2010)
- Has Findlay Prep lost to its toughest opponent: The Great Recession? (2-27-2010)
The Findlay Prep basketball team led for most of the first quarter Friday against Mountain State of West Virginia in the semifinals of the ESPN National High School Invitational at Coppin State in Baltimore.
But Mountain State went on a 10-3 run and took an 18-15 lead early in the second quarter, appearing poised to stay competitive. The lead, however, lasted about five seconds.
Cory Joseph, one of the nation's top 25 college prospects and arguably the best player in Findlay's four-year history, raced up the court and made a layup while being fouled and converted the three-point play.
Joseph, as he showed during his sprint up the court to even the game, was too much for Mountain State to handle.
The uncommitted senior had a game-high 32 points in leading the Pilots to a 68-53 victory and a spot in the championship game. The eight-team tournament, which Findlay won last year to cap an undefeated season, determines the ESPN RISE champion.
Findlay led by seven points at halftime, but Joseph scored eight straight points early in the third quarter, and the Pilots led 50-34 entering the fourth quarter.
Joseph buried a 3-pointer early in the final period, prompting announcer Tim McCormick to refer to the game as the "Cory Joseph Show."
Findlay, the tournament's No. 2 seed, also flexed its muscles defensively. Mountain State scored only seven points in the third quarter — and 11 in the second — as Findlay increased its lead to a comfortable margin.
Tristan Thompson, Findlay's other McDonald's All-American, was limited to two points in the first three quarters before finishing with nine points and 10 rebounds. Junior guard Nick Johnson had 11 points, five steals and four rebounds, and senior forward Godwin Okonji added four points, nine rebounds and three blocks.
The Pilots will play Montverde of Florida for championship at 10:30 a.m. Saturday. The game will be televised by ESPN.
Montverde handed Findlay one of its three setbacks in the last three years with a 54-51 victory Jan. 30. Thompson injured his ankle in the first quarter against Montverde and didn't return.
Montverde, which is ranked No. 5 nationally by ESPN and the tournament's top-seed, beat Winter Park of Florida, 62-56, in overtime to advance.
Join the Discussion:
Check this out for a full explanation of our conversion to the LiveFyre commenting system and instructions on how to sign up for an account.
Full comments policy