The Challenge - Prospect Report (Games 3 & 4)
What players stood out during the final two games of The Challenge
COLUMBUS, Ohio - - Saturday, January 10th, Central Ohio basketball fans were treated to another edition of The Challenge, an annual event that puts Columbus City League teams against teams from the Ohio Capital Conference. This year’s edition saw the OCC come away with a 3-1 advantage on the afternoon, with two games coming down to one possession.
Olentangy Orange defeated Centennial in the opener for the day, a JR Bates three-pointer at the buzzer helped Pickerington North beat Walnut Ridge, Daneal Krylov’s three lifted Northland to win over Delaware Hayes and in the finale, Hilliard Bradley used a late flurry to squeeze by Africentric.
There were a number of standout players throughout the day that touched the hardwood, see which players from the final two contests stood out the most. Also, for the premiere prospect from games one and two, check out Luke Harrington’s prospect report.
Kypton Norris (6’3 G / 2028/ Hilliard Bradley): What a show Norris put on down the stretch against the Nubains, on the road, in the final game of The Challenge. Norris scored _ on his way to being named MVP for his team. The son of head coach Brett Norris, and the younger brother of Braden, Keaton and Cade, Kypton shows the traits of coming from a household of hoopers. The sophomore point guard did not shy away from the physical play of Africentric, embracing contact and playing through it. His deep fourth quarter three-pointer as time ticked down to under two minutes was the dagger his team needed finally put an end to Africentric’s night. His ability to make the correct play in any moment is remarkable to only be a sophomore, time and time again, Norris knew when to get his own bucket, when to get his teammates involved and how to get them the ball where they liked it. The lefty operated the offense at a high level all game long, controlling the pace throughout the game, and when his team got themselves into a hole, he never panicked. This young man showed that the future Jaguar basketball is in good hands.
Daneal Krylov (6’5 W / 2026 / Northland): A breakout game for the transfer who looks like he is hitting his stride in the Northland offense. The game MVP for the Vikings, Krylov led all scorers with 24 points, including the go-ahead jumper from three with under 20 seconds remaining in the game. The senior wing showed how physical he can play, using his body around the rim to create space and get good looks at the basket that he cashed in and when he drove the basketball, he used his body to get defenders off of him. Krylov showed that he could get to the basket by getting by defenders, get his shot off in the midrange and hit baskets from behind the three-point line as well, also hitting all five of his free throws. Coming into the season late, he now appears to be in his flow with the team, not forcing anything and being efficient with his scoring. A smart shot taker who can abuse smaller guards and get by defenders his size at his own pace, Krylov may have unlocked a different aspect of the Vikings as a team.
