Hilliard Bradley, Olentangy Orange roll in district semis

The Jaguars second-half run buries Liberty, while the Pioneers were in firm control of South

GROVE CITY, OH — Fans at Central Crossing high school were treated to a district semifinal double-header that featured two familiar OCC foes in #5 Hilliard Bradley and #17 Olentangy Liberty followed by #1 Olentangy Orange against #9 South.

The Jaguars set the tone for the night after they had their third, and most convincing, win against the Patriots this season. Senior Cade Norris, a first team all-district selection, struck first and scored nine of his 19 total points in the first quarter, perfect on all four of his attempts from the field.

For every punch Bradley threw to maintain their marginal lead, Liberty responded with a balanced effort as five players scored in the second quarter and keep the deficit to 28-24 at halftime. Three minutes into the third, It appeared momentum swung in Liberty’s favor when Tyler Kropp’s inside floater cut the Jags lead to a point. On the ensuing possession, Norris picked up his third foul on an offensive drive. The Illinois State commit went to the bench with 3:22 left in the period.

Olentangy Liberty’s Tyler Kropp and Hilliard Bradley’s Duncan Spalding are paired, while their teams were tied in the third quarter. It was one of the last moments the game was close.