Delaware Hayes 59 , Gahanna Lincoln 57 - Prospect Scouting Report

Pacers spoil the senior night for the Lions

GAHANNA, Ohio - - On a night where they celebrated their senior class, it was the senior Ohio University commit from Delaware Hayes that put his imprint on the game early and late and allowed his team to escape with a win. Jesse Burris scored 22 total points for his team, including 10 in the fourth, and the OCC-Capital champion Pacers went into Gahanna and held on for a 59-57 win.

Burris started hot early, scoring nine in the opening frame, while junior running mate Landon Vanderwarker added four free throws on two trips. The Pacer offense clicked from pretty much the opening tip in this cross-division OCC matchup. Shots were not falling for the Lions in the first quarter, but senior big man Elijah King had some tough finishes in the paint to keep them within striking distance. Hayes sophomore point guard Jeremiah Russell pitched in with five quick points as well to help the Pacers double-up on the Lions to end the first, as they led 20-10.

Gahanna’s offense really began to find its way after leaving the huddle to start the second quarter. Seniors Jonathan Whiteside and KJ Reynald helped their team jump out on an 8-2 run to open, including a sky-walking dunk from Reynald that sent the crowd into a frenzy. Burris stymied it for a second with a triple that started his team’s own 7-2 run to respond to the Lions and going up 32-20 as time ran in the quarter.

Showing that Lion pride, Gahanna ended the quarter 6-0 and went into the locker room with momentum on their side, despite trailing 32-26.

The two defenses locked in a little more in the third quarter, with the points being at a premium on both sides. Gahanna senior guard Joesph Boddie really showed his value in this quarter as he did all the little things that allowed his team to slow down Hayes. Boddie was all over the glass the entire night, but grabbed four of his 10 total boards in the third and collected a steal in the process, all at pivotal moments of the game where Hayes could have pulled away.

Burris, the future Bobcat, scoring seven straight for his squad to open the final quarter. But when the Hayes lead swelled to 50-38, Gahanna stormed back with an 11-2 run which was capped off by an Elijah King bucket to cut the deficit to just three with just under three minutes on the clock.

With literal seconds remaining on the clock, a Whiteside triple got the game to within one. At the free line, Burris split a pair for the two-point lead. A desperation half court heave from Reynald fell short and Hayes walked away winners, 59-57.

Gahanna finishes the season on the road at Pickerington North and Delaware Hayes hosts Marion-Harding next.

Below is a break down of the best performances from last night’s OCC showdown.