The Challenge: Top Performers

The annual City League vs. OCC challenge gave us a glimpse of many of the area's top players

On Saturday at Africentric, the City League took on the OCC in a high-level four game event. Let’s take a look at the top performers and scores from the day.

Worthington Kilbourne 50, Linden-McKinley 37

Aidan Gallogly (6’4 SF / Worthington Kilbourne / 2024)

The Denison commit had an outstanding all around game for the Wolves. Finishing with 15 points, 11 rebounds and five assists, Gallogly put together a great game. The senior is a terrific athlete, has a knockdown three point jumper and is one of the best passers among wings in the area. He has the type of game that will help him contribute early on in college. We were impressed with the physicality and toughness that Gallogly plays with, as he was able to handle the Linden pressure with success. Denison is getting a good one in Gallogly.

Philip Towns (5’10 PG / Linden-McKinley / 2024)

Towns is the engine to the Linden-McKinley offense. As he battled foul trouble in the third quarter, the Panthers were not the same. When Towns is on the floor, he just makes things go for Linden. Saturday was not his best offensive game, however, he is a college prospect at the point guard position as he can contribute on both ends of the floor. There aren’t many better pure athletes than Towns in the City League. He should help this team contend at the top of the north division once again in 2024.

Te’Mar Lewis (6’1 PG / Worthington Kilbourne / 2021)

Dynamic scoring guard that has a smooth shooting stroke. Lewis plays with pace and can keep defenders off balance. Battled foul trouble in the first half but turned in a solid second half for the Wolves. Lewis can get into the paint and make plays for himself and others. One of the better unsigned guards in Central Ohio and is having a quality year for Worthington Kilbourne.

Hilliard Bradley 65, South 35

Cade Norris (6’4 G / Hilliard Bradley / 2024)

Norris is a consummate winner. He affects every area of the game for Hilliard Bradley and is as important to this team as any player is to any team in Central Ohio. The Illinois State commit dominated the glass, got teammates involved all game and was an offensive scoring force who shot a very high percentage from the floor. With two older brothers currently playing Division I basketball, Norris will be an early impact player at Illinois State with the way he plays the game on both ends of the floor. There’s nothing that he won’t do to help his team win a game.

Ben Mirgon (6’0 PG / Hilliard Bradley / 2027)

One of only two freshmen in the area with a Division I offer, Mirgon is the straw the stirs the drink for Hilliard Bradley. The Jaguars have been a completely different team since his return to the lineup, as their offense flows at a greater rhythm with him. The freshman has a mature feel on the offensive end, as he is as good a passer as we’ve seen from any player in his class. He’s an elite shooter, tremendous team defender and dangerous offensive weapon, especially when the Jags play uptempo. His return to the lineup has allowed Norris to play more off the ball and has taken great pressure off the senior to create offense for Bradley. This duo will be a nightmare for opposing defenses for the rest of the season.

Gavin Griffin (6’2 SG / South / 2027)

Griffin is the future of the South program. The 6-foot-2 freshman came off the bench and knocked in two threes to lead the Bulldogs in scoring. Griffin has great length, is a stellar athlete and is the type of high character kid that will continue to improve over the next three years. In a matchup versus one of the most physical teams that South will see all year, Griffin was not intimidated at any point in the game, which helped him stay on the floor for the remainder of the game following a tough start for South. Look for Griffin to be one of the top players in the City League as an upperclassman.