Findlay Prep coasts to win over Planet Athlete Academy while playing bench players

The drive back to Phoenix for Planet Athlete Academy was made even longer by Findlay Prep on Saturday night.

The Pilots, ranked sixth in the nation by USA Today, scored early and often in their 97-69 victory at Henderson International.

Senior Lamine Diane scored Findlay’s opening basket, igniting his 31-point performance, and the Pilots (24-3) never let up. They led 55-32 at halftime, and from there Diane stole the show with several spectacular plays.

P.J. Washington supplied 28 points for Findlay.

“This game right here we called it a trap game,” Pilots coach Paul Washington said. “I thought (our players) did a pretty good job of bringing energy and not looking past our opponent heading to Kentucky next week.”

The rout allowed Washington to get a good look at his bench.

“I just told my team, we need to get better six through 12 because you never know when you’re going to need them in a game,” he said.

The coach saw a lot of room for improvement.

“They (reserves) were average at best,” he said. “Still a little frustrated we didn’t rebound at all. Defensively we didn’t look good at all from the guys that are the second and third guys off the bench.”

Washington said his reserves need to play with more aggressiveness.

“They have to have heart,” he said. “They have to box out, and they have to want it. You can’t sit here and clap for P.J. (Washington); when it’s your turn you have to get out there and play.”

Paul Washington hopes the game experience pays off.

“We’re trying to get to DICK’S (Sporting Goods High School Nationals Basketball Tournament) at the end of the year,” he said.

Contact reporter Bill Slane at bslane@reviewjournal.com or 702-380-4559. Follow @bill_slane on Twitter.