NOTES: Justin Jackson still in class of 2016, Findlay Prep coach says

The picture that went out on social media last week caused a puff of smoke, but Findlay Prep boys basketball coach Andy Johnson insists there’s no fire.

Justin Jackson is not reclassifying to the class of 2015, the Pilots’ first-year coach said during a brief interview Tuesday.

“He’s in the class of 2016,” Johnson said of the UNLV commit, “so there’s no change in his status.”

Jackson, a 6-foot-8-inch guard/forward, is listed on the Pilots’ roster as a junior but was honored with Findlay Prep’s three seniors at the team’s final home game Friday. Afterward, a photo of the quartet posted on the program’s official Twitter account sparked further speculation Jackson could join the Rebels’ current recruiting class.

When asked why Jackson, who is originally from the Toronto area, was part of the festivities on Senior Night, Johnson said: “He’s a class of 2016. He’s got no change in his status.”

Curiously, Johnson gave the identical answer when queried whether Jackson’s status could change based on UNLV’s needs for the 2015-16 season. Last August, Findlay Prep’s Dillon Brooks, also a native of Canada, reclassified from the class of 2015 and is now a freshman at Oregon.

If Jackson does not reclassify, it is unclear whether he would remain at Findlay Prep or attend a post-graduate prep school next year. Johnson gave the “class of 2016 … no change in his status” answer to that line of questioning, too.

Jackson is ranked the No. 30 player in the class of 2016 by ESPN.com and No. 31 by Rivals.com. He is averaging 14.5 points, 7.2 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 2.2 steals for the Pilots (28-2), who are awaiting an official invitation to the High School National Tournament that takes place April 2 to 4 in New York.

In other Findlay Prep news, senior guard Allonzo Trier was named one of five finalists for the Naismith Trophy Boys High School Player of the Year. Trier, an Arizona signee, is averaging a team-best 26.6 points.

DIETRICH CLAIMS TOP AWARD — Foothill senior midfielder Jackson Dietrich, who helped the Falcons to the Southeast League title last fall, was named the Gatorade Nevada Boys Soccer Player of the Year.

Dietrich finished with 28 goals and 22 assists and was an All-Southern Nevada selection. He is now eligible for the Gatorade national award, which will be announced in May.

PAHRUMP’S RIEGER HONORED — Craig Rieger of Pahrump Valley was named the Nevada coach of the year by the National Wrestling Coaches Association. Rieger led Pahrump to the Division I-A state title last month as the Trojans ended Lowry’s run of six straight championships.

RECENT COMMITMENTS — Durango senior Artie Gallegos to Mount Marty College (S.D.) for baseball. … Faith Lutheran senior Morgan Hill to Rhodes College (Tenn.) for women’s basketball and volleyball. … Faith Lutheran senior Max McPherson to Princeton for football. … Canyon Springs seniors Daniel Moran to UNLV and Raymond Ruano to Spokane Community College (Wash.) for men’s soccer. … Faith Lutheran senior Emily Neighbors to Biola (Calif.) for women’s soccer. … Arbor View senior Ke’Anna Kamaka to McCook Community College (Neb.), Coronado junior Sarah Pinkston to Middle Tennessee and Spring Valley senior Martinece Robertson to College of Southern Nevada for softball. … Centennial senior Johanna Alvarez-Thompson and Eldorado senior Tori Stark to CSN for women’s volleyball.

Contact reporter David Schoen at dschoen@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-5203. Follow him on Twitter: @DavidSchoenLVRJ.