5C Classic Game Recaps
Results from a packed day at Capital University
COLUMBUS, Ohio - - Five high school games were played at Capital University Saturday afternoon into the evening, five games amongst some of Central Ohio’s best teams. Big Walnut took on Kings High School, Walnut Ridge and Centennial had a cross-division matchup, Africentric had a tough out-of-conference test playing Newark, Olentangy Orange played St. Ignatius and the day ended with Bishop Hartley taking on Summit Country Day. Read below for recaps of each contest.
Big Walnut 44 - Kings 40
This was a gritty and low-scoring game despite the relatively quick start from Kings, who outscored the Eagles 14-6 in the opening quarter. Both teams scored eight points in the second quarter, giving way to a 22-14 lead for Kings at the break. The second half is where Big Walnut woke up, producing their best two quarters of the ballgame and scoring 30 points in the second half. Kings could not continue to match the energy and effort of the Eagles, who used an 11-point third quarter from Carson Scholl to cut the Knights lead to 29-28 by the end of the third quarter.
The final quarter was packed with free throw shots from Big Walnut, going 8-of-10 from the charity stripe, helping to not only claim the lead, but keep it as time ticked away. Kings senior Sammy Shuler nailed a triple to cut the Big Walnut lead to 41-38 with under one minute remaining on the clock. After Eagles junior guard AJ Stumpf split a pair at the line, the Knights Jackson Bake answered back with a layup to make it a two-point game with 32.4 seconds on the clock. With the Knights trying to either force a turnover or get a foul, neither happened and freshman guard Gabriel Stumpf sliced through the defense and found his way to a layup that essentially iced the game. Kings couldn’t find a way to get a shot off, putting an end to the game and giving Big Walnut the 44-40 win.
Game MVP’s: Big Walnut - Carson Scholl (20 points)
Kings - Jackson Bake (14 points)
Walnut Ridge 91 - Centennial 69
In a history making performance, Walnut Ridge knocks off previously unbeaten Centennial in dominant fashion. The Scots were led by senior Marquis Lucas who set a new 5C Classic scoring record with 51 points, one off from the school record. Centennial controlled a majority of the first quarter, but the Scots fought back, leading to Centennial’s Tristan Moore getting a tip-in to fall as the opening quarter closed to give the Stars a 23-20 lead after the opening frame. Walnut Ridge began to find its way in the second quarter as Lucas continued to heat up from the field. Junior wing Keon Bonner hit a half court buzzer beater to end the half, but the Stars still went into the locker room down by a score of 42-37. The five-point hole would be the closest the Stars would get the rest of the contest, as the Scots quickly raced out to a 50-39 advantage after the break.
Lucas continued to pour in tough buckets, mostly from inside the paint and at the free throw line, taking a 15-point lead into the final quarter of play. Head coach Chuck Jefferson found a lineup that he liked and he stuck with it for a majority of the contest, and it caused problems for the Stars. Walnut Ridge continued to pour it on during the final frame, leading to the 91-69 final.
Game MVP’s: Walnut Ridge - Marquis Lucas (51 points)
Centennial - Keon Bonner (23 points)
