The Challenge - Game Recaps
A game-winner and two classics dominate the day at Africentric
COLUMBUS, Ohio - - Saturday afternoon saw Africentric High School being host to The Challenge, where four City League teams did battle with four teams representing the OCC. the opening contest saw City League north leading Centennial Stars play a getting healthy Olentangy Orange team, Walnut Ridge taking on Pickerington North, Northland against Delaware Hayes and the nightcap was City League south leading Africentric and Hilliard Bradley.
An action filled day with some good games attached to it, below are recaps of each game.
Olentangy Orange 67- Centennial 47
In the opening game, Olentangy Orange got an early lead and did not relinquish it, using a 9-2 run that started the second quarter, after being up five after the first, to propel them to the 67-47 victory to put the OCC up 1-0.
Some nice action from both teams started the game, with both teams knocking down tough shots, but the Pioneers were in still in slight control early in the contest. An intentional foul from Centennial junior wing Keon Bonner sent Grant Miller to the free throw line where he split the two shots. Olentangy Orange led the Stars 15-10 after the opening quarter, and they would get the ball at the start of the second.
Senior guard Xavier Aguila buried a three on the opening possession of the second quarter to immediately extend the Orange lead, giving the Stars a tougher hill to climb. MC Walker, who was a terror on the defensive side of the ball, with five total steals for the game, slammed one home after one of his steals to give his team a 30-17 lead midway through the second frame.
Head coach Ed Calo’s team allowed 11 second quarter points while scoring 21 themselves to go into the locker room leading 36-21.
Centennial came out in the third quarter with a renewed energy, cutting the lead to 10 on numerous occasions. The Stars could never get over the hump and create a single-digit deficit.
Olentangy Orange pushed the lead to 20 by the end of the third quarter, taking a 56-36 lead into the final quarter. A commanding advantage for a team who is getting healthy and finding their stride.
Orange was led in the game by Elijah Manley, who scored 10 total points and created scoring opportunities for his team with his hustle and play making all game long.
