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Super 25 in 25: Findlay Prep (Nev.) at No. 1

USA TODAY High School Sports will reveal the preseason Super 25 boys basketball rankings as part of “Super 25 in 25,” with one team revealed each hour beginning at noon ET on Thursday and continuing through Friday.

RELATED: Meet the Preseason Boys Basketball Super 25

No. 1: FINDLAY PREP

Markus Howard (Photo: Arizona Republic)

Markus Howard (Photo: Arizona Republic)

Location: Henderson, Nev.

2014-2015 record: 29-3

Final Super 25: 4

Findlay Prep (Henderson, Nev.) is no stranger to the top spot in the Super 25 boys basketball rankings. Just as recently as last January, the Pilots were in the top spot. But it’s been a while since Findlay Prep finished the season as the No. 1 team, so forgive coach Andy Johnson if he doesn’t get too excited about seeing his team in the top spot in the 2015 preseason boys basketball rankings.

“Our goal is always to be the No. 1 team at the end of the season,” Johnson said. “I’ve been really impressed with our guys’ chemistry. That’s the strongest point so far, is how quickly they’ve jelled. Another thing that has stood out for me is our depth.”

While the Pilots lost elite point guard Derryck Thornton to Duke and shooting guad Allonzo Trier to Arizona, they have two solid point guards in Markus Howard, who averaged 32.4 points a game at Perry (Gilbert, Ariz.) last season and Skylar Mays, an LSU commit who played for University Lab (Baton Rouge) last season.

“They’ve both impressed me with their leadership,” Johnson said. “That goes back to our depth, which gives our players a great opportunity to push each other.”

Findlay Prep has only existed since the 2006-2007 season, yet sent 46 players to Division I colleges and 10 players to the NBA.

The Pilots’ top returnee is P.J. Washington, a 6-8 junior power forward who is listed as the No. 15 player in his class.

Besides Howard and Mays, top newcomers include El Cerrito, Calif. transfer Carlos Johnson (15.9 ppg), a 6-4 junior guard and Waggener (Louisville) transfer Devon Cooper (17.2 ppg), a junior guard.

Scheduled season opener: Friday vs. Impact Academy (Hayward, Calif.)

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