Gahanna Lincoln Repeats as OSU Team Camp Champions

For the second day in the row, Gahanna Lincoln played their way into the championship game of the Ohio State Team Camp, and for the second day in a row the Lions finished 4-0 to claim the championship. Day two of the Ohio State Team Camp featured another 16-team/day-long tournament with 8 new teams. The second day participants included: Toledo St. Johns, Fairfield Union, Chillicothe, Patrick Henry, DeSales (varsity & JV), Walnut Ridge, Upper Arlington, Whetstone, Toledo Central Catholic, Westerville North, New Castle, Massillon Jackson, Gahanna Lincoln and Northrop (IN).

Gahanna began day #2 of the camp with a match up with Indiana's Northrop in storied St. Johns Arena (Pictured). With the OSU coaching staff on hand to watch Briceon Scott, an elite 2013 prospect, the Lion's Stevie Taylor led Gahanna to an early 12-2 lead. Although Gahanna led the entire contest, Scott kept Northrop in striking distance until late in the second half. By the time the horn sounded, Gahanna was 1-0 after claiming a 62-76 win. Stevie Taylor finished with a game-high 35 points while Briceon Scott finished with about 30+ points as well. Game two for Gahanna featured a rematch of the Ohio High School State Final Four game with Massillon Jackson. Although the stakes were not as high as they were last March, the Lions were excited about the opportunity to get another shot at the Polar Bears. Gahanna got of to a quick start with back-to-back treys and entered halftime with a 35-26 lead. In the second half, Jackson mounted a ferocious comeback on the strength Steve Griffin's hot shooting and poor free throw shooting by the Lions. In the end, Gahanna held on to win 68-63. Although Stevie Taylor finished with a team-high 17 points, Jamel Morris and Jordan Martin were big factors in the win. In game three, Gahanna dispatched Toledo Central Catholic 59-45. In the championship game, the Lions faced off against a hot Walnut Ridge. Playing without Stevie Taylor who sustained a calf injury in the semi-finals, Walnut Ridge jumped out to an early 11-0 lead, and appeared poised for a lopsided win. However, Gahanna, sparked by their reserves, cut the lead to 3 points (22-25) by the half. In the second half, Gahanna took their first lead with 14 minutes left in the game. Although Walnut Ridge enjoyed a significant size advantage in the post, a breakout game from senior Jamel Morris propelled Gahanna to a 53-42 victory and their second championship of the weekend.

To get to the championship game, Walnut Ridge knocked off Columbus DeSales, beat Upper Arlington 56-48, and held on to to defeat Toledo St. Johns 53-51. Throughout the day, Walnut Ridge got consistent play from Austin Traylor, Dwayne Bazemore and 6'7 Alssand Kah. For Toledo St. Johns, playing with out Cheatum Norrils who was attending a football camp at Michigan State, received solid play from Marc Loving. To see pictues of day two, visit the Buckeye Prep Facebook Fan Page. To check out Kurt Stubs' story on the event click on the link.