by Stephen D. Riley

Behind their dynamic duo of Tristan Thompson and Cory Joseph, the Findlay Prep Pilots of Henderson, Nev., claimed their second consecutive ESPN Rise National High School Invitational title with a 59-46 rout of the Montverde Academy Eagles of Montverde, Fla. April 3.

LEAD PILOT— Findlay Prep’s Cory Joseph, shown here during the McDonald’s All-American Game March 29, scored 17 points to lead Findlay past Montverde in last Saturday’s ESPN/Rise National High School Invitational title game.

The pair of McDonald’s All-Americans put on a show for a national audience as ESPN televised the game from Coppin State University’s Physical Education Complex in Baltimore.

The Westinghouse Bulldogs have dominated City League girls’ basketball for the past 20 or more seasons and even though no one knew what to expect from them this season they once again finished on top of the City during the regular season but fell short in the championship game to an outstanding Perry Commodores team.

But much like the previous three girls’ All-City Team selections, the Bulldogs once again dominated with all five starters making the team, but this year they had to share that honor with the Allderdice Dragons who had all five starters make the team as well. Perry placed four. Perry also had the Player of the Year and Coach of the Year. Allderdice should be a powerhouse next season as all five starters are underclassmen.

DASHAWNA CAREY, TATAYANNNA COX TAYLOR, LONDON MCCOY

In the beginning it was all Perry Commodores in boys’ basketball as they jumped off to a 7-0 start. It appeared that they didn’t miss City League Player of the Year Vaughn Morgan at all. But then came the snow and a long delay. Once play began again Perry lost their first game and struggled to a 6-3 finish that dropped them behind the surprising Oliver Bears who finished a game ahead of them with a 14-2 record. Lost in this battle were the Allderdice Dragons who had an outstanding team but started off very slowly finishing the season at 11-5, barely beating out the surprise team of the season, the 10-6 Westinghouse Bulldogs.

ISHMAEL SWAIN, BEN MICKENS, EVAN SCHELL

PITTSBURGH (AP)—The Pitt women’s basketball team is losing its sophomore class.

Former New Pittsburgh Courier All-City Player of the Year Shawnice “Pepper” Wilson, Sarah Ogoke and Kate Popovec are leaving the Panthers, who were 16-15 overall and 5-11 in the Big East this season.

‘PEPPER’ WILSON

The 6-6 Wilson started 27 games at center, averaging 7.4 points and 4.4 rebounds. She also played in 33 games, 32 of which she started, during her freshman year, when she was named to the All-Big East freshmen team. The 6-3 Popovec averaged 2.9 points and 3.9 rebounds. Ogoke, a 5-9 guard, averaged 1 point and 1.4 rebounds in 28 games.