Westerville South Notches Another Big Win

Ranked 5th in Ohio’s Division I AP state polls, Westerville South (14-0) faced against a LaQuinton Ross -led Life Center Academy (NJ) in the third game of the Ohio Play-By-Play Classic in Columbus. Fresh off a huge win against Big Ten foe Illinois, Ohio State’s Head Coach Thad Matta and his staff were front and center at Capital University to watch Ohio State signee Ross in action. Ross is surrounded by other D-I talent in Pittsburgh-pledge John Johnson, a 6’1 senior, and Andre Horne, a 6’3 forward who is receiving D-I interest. Westerville South is led by senior Treavon Jackson, a Wisconsin commit, “Zeek” Rogers, a junior guard, and a pair of seniors in Demarkio Lyshe and Ben Jones.

Although Westerville sprinted out to a 4-0 lead to start the game, Life Center responded with a run of their own, and knotted the game at 14-14 to close the first quarter. The Wildcats started strong again to start the second quarter, as Life Center struggled to score. By the time the horn had sounded to end the first half, Westerville had extended its lead to 31-19. Life Center came out of the locker room at half time and turned up the defensive pressure on the Wildcats, and eventually cut the lead to 48-39 at the 1:37 mark. Westerville went on a mini-run, as senior Ben Jones knocked down a 3-pointer and DeMarkio Lyshe finished a layup to increase the lead to 9 points (46-37). The Wildcats’ "Zeek" Rogers scored to bring the score to 48-39 to close the third quarter.

Life Center scored on a back door to start the 4th period (50-44). Life Center’s pressure really began to cause problems for the Wildcats, as back-to-back turnovers cut the lead to 6 points with 4:42 remaining in the game. Life Center could only cut the lead to 4 points (53-49) by the 3:53 mark, as Westerville went on the claim the 60-55 win. Westerville’s Ben Jones scored a game-high 12 points, while "Zeek” Rogers finished with 11 points, and DeMarkio Lyshe and Treavon Jackson added 10 points apiece. Treavon Jackson was selected as one of the game MVPs. For Life Center, John Johnson finished with a game-high 17 points and game MVP honors, while LaQuinton Ross added 16 points in a loosing effort.  To view the photos I took at the event, visit the Buckeye Prep Facebook Fan Page. Also, check out the Cap City Prep highlight video.