Licking Heights takes down Westerville South in season opener

Nate Lovinsky led the Hornets with 21 points in a quality season opening win

WESTERVILLE, Ohio -- It's a new era for Westerville South basketball. After winning back-to-back district titles in 2022 and 2023, the 'Cats looked to remain a threat among the top teams in the OCC with Kruz McClure winning Central District Player of the Year as a junior last season. However, McClure decided to forego spending his senior year at Westerville South, instead opting to go the prep school route with DME Academy in Wisconsin.

That led to Wednesday's season opener, where the young Wildcats took on a talented Licking Heights team looking for revenge. In a matchup between these same two teams a season ago, McClure outscored the Hornets by himself on Licking Heights' senior night, leading Westerville South with 33 points in a 48-32 victory on Feb. 20.

Licking Heights must've certainly had that on their minds on Wednesday, as the Hornets led virtually from start to finish in a 60-46 victory on the road against the McClure less-'Cats.