Jason Morrow:
Future150 National Editor/ Midwest Recruiting. Covering high and middle school basketball. OH,IN and IL.
GROVE CITY, OH (Future150) -- A great double-header of games were played to tip off the season on Friday, all within the borders of southwestern Columbus. Without further adieu:
Concepcion's six points in 17 seconds lifts Comets over Falcons
After watching a 19-point third quarter lead dwindle to just two in the closing minutes, Central Crossing sent senior Danny Concepcion to the line for a one-and-one with :17.4 left in the game.
Concepcion hit both free throws, then proceeded to score two more buckets in the final ten seconds of the game, helping the Comets survive a vicious rally from Franklin Heights, winning 65-57. The six points in the final 17 seconds of action helped lift the guard into double figures on the night, pulling down nine rebounds as well to pace the Comets (1-0).
Franklin Heights late run was sparked by some crucial three-pointers from seniors Abdi Haji and Josh Williams, who finished with 12 and 17 points respectively. Williams truly showed his prowess from beyond the arc in the first half, knocking down four of his five threes in the opening two quarters.
The display from the three-point line was one of the few bright spots in the opening half for the Falcons (0-1), falling in a 44-25 hole as the teams headed to the locker room. A breakout second quarter for the Comets was due in part to the play of senior Andrew Russell, who had all of his 12 points during the frame, and pulled down nine rebounds throughout the game. Central Crossing's ability to torch the Franklin Heights zone defense was the main reason for the 26-point second quarter, as the Comets hit four of their five triples during the first half.
The zone defense was scrapped in the third quarter, and boy did it ever pay off for the Falcons. They held Central Crossing to just five points through the first seven minutes of the second half, and had the deficit down to just eight until a buzzer-beating three by senior Casey McManaway put the lead back up to double digits.
Junior Michael Avila helped lead the charge in the second half, scoring seven of his 11 points after halftime, and nearly finished with a double-double, grabbing nine rebounds and three steals.
A frenzied fourth quarter was further charged up after Williams fifth and final three sliced the Comet lead to just four at 55-51 with 1:40 left. Senior Anthony Thompson was able to keep the Falcons at bay with two big baskets over the next forty seconds, helping Central Crossing go up 59-55.
Greyhounds, behind Bapst's 31, crush Westland
Nic Bapst may just want to convince himself that every game is a home opener against Westland.
A year after opening his season with a 30-point performance against the Cougars, the senior had 31 points and six rebounds as his Grove City (1-0) squad took down Westland 92-72 on Friday night as the nightcap of the Tip-Off Classic. Sophomore Wilt Marine led the Cougars with 21 points and five steals.
Bapst had 22 of his game-high 31 in the first half in which the Hounds needed a 28-12 second-quarter to gain the lead after a sloppy first quarter that saw Westland (0-1) take the lead by one.
Though that opening quarter, it seemed as if Westland was in the in it for the long-haul, out-hustling Grove City for the first eight minutes. Despite a size disadvantage, the Cougars were able to rebound and stay with the hands keeping the game close in the early going. A buzzer-beating three from sophomore Amirah Johnson capped off the strong quarter for the forest green and white, holding a 19-18 advantage.
The 'Hounds controlled the second quarter, using the helter-skelter pace of Westland against them, forcing turnovers into long runouts that led to quick baskets. Bapst did not have to do the scoring by himself, either, as six other Grove City scored in the opening half, including seven points from senior Kyle Laffin.
With only one player over 6-foot-3, the Cougars had trouble staying within striking distance due to their struggles on the glass throughout the game, as the rebounding margin was 42-27 in favor of Grove City. However the two leading rebounders for Westland, senior Rob Henley and junior Malik Butcher, each stand atjust 5- foot-Q and grabbed seven rebounds each.
The Cougars fought back to within 13 twice in the second half, but the sharp-shooting of senior Sam Saxton helped quell the rallies. Saxton finished with 18 points in the victory.
Top Performers:
Nlc Bapst (2015/G): The senior once again performed above expectations, scoring 22 points in the first half for Grove City in their win over Westland. Bapst attacked the rim with ease all night long. and was deadly in transition. either finishing strong at the basket or using his court vision to dish the ball off. For the Hounds to be successful this year, coach Greg Waits will need another solid season out of him.
Josh Williams (2015/G): The Central Crossing defense had trouble containing the 5-foot-10 Williams all night long, especially from beyond the arc where he made his living to the tune of five threes. Williams helped keep his Heights squad from getting blown out in the early going on Friday night.
Andrew Russell (2015/F): While the guard play was solid on Friday night, the play of the 6-foot-5 Russell was much-needed as a spark down low for the Comets in that big first half. His poise and demeanor in a season-opener was a big reason he was a major factor tonight.
Wilt Marine (2017/G): Despite his Westland squad falling on Friday night, the sophomore was a menace on offense. and on defense especially. Marine spear-headed a press that gave the “Hounds fits all throughout the opening quarter, and his six steals are a testament to that. He also knocked down some shots, finishing with a team-high 21 points.
Comments:
Be the first to post. Just use the form below.