Las Vegas Weekly

If you only watch one high-school hoops game, this is the one

Findlay Prep’s Anthony Bennett

Photo: Sam Morris

Never considered watching a high school basketball game? Now’s the time. Local powers Findlay Prep and Bishop Gorman suit up for their annual showdown at 2 p.m. January 21 at Cox Pavilion—a battle of nationally ranked squads (ESPN has Findlay at No. 6 and Gorman at No. 24 this week).

The game sold out long ago, but if you don’t have a ticket, don’t worry: You can watch live on ESPNU. Here are a few reasons to tune in:

Findlay Prep—a Henderson-based private school funded by auto dealer Cliff Findlay—is a legitimate force. The Pilots have won two national titles and lost just eight games since the 2007-08 season. With a roster loaded with players from around the world, they play an exciting, fast-paced brand of basketball.

You never know who could be courtside. Both rosters include top recruits—among them Gorman’s Shabazz Muhammad, the nation’s No. 1 prospect—so big-name college coaches will be front and center recruiting. Maybe Calapari and Coach K will share a hot dog …

Photo: Sam Morris

Shabazz Muhammad

Future NBA players will be on display. In the last two drafts, four Findlay products have been selected: Tristan Thompson (Cavaliers), Cory Joseph (Spurs), DeAndre Liggins (Magic) and Avery Bradley (Celtics). Along with Muhammad, Findlay big man Anthony Bennett is considered a top-tier talent this year.

You won’t see UNLV on an ESPN network. With the Rebels—and the rest of the Mountain West Conference—contractually stuck on the Mtn. or CBS College Sports, Las Vegans can actually see some local hoops heroes on a major network this weekend.

Oh yeah, the game should be tight. Last year, Findlay edged Gorman by three points on a buzzer beater in double-OT.