COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The matchup that has been waiting in the wings for the last three years is almost here. Going back a little more than two years, it appeared Beechcroft and Eastmoor would one day take over the City League, as both programs featured rosters stock full of talented sophomores. Now as seniors, both programs have dominated through their respective divisions and will meet on the hardwood for all the marbles on Saturday.
Let's take a look at the matchup and how each team will fare in what might be the most anticipated City League title game in the last several years.
When: Saturday, Feb. 17 at 12 p.m.
Where: Africentric Early College
Tickets: Can be purchased at the door on the day of the game.
For Beechcroft, the Cougars won its first City League North division title since 1994 and became the first existing North division program to make it to the City League title game in that span as well. Beechcroft hasn't won a City League title since 1986, as the Cougars fell to Eastmoor in its last appearance 24 years ago, which was also the Warriors' last City championship on the hardwood.
For Eastmoor, the Warriors, despite winning two regional titles in the last three years, won its first City League South division title since 2009. The Warriors are looking to make history and take down Beechcroft for the second-straight time in the title game.
Zero players in Saturday's game were alive the last time their respective schools played in this game, as this will offer the most unfamiliarity of any City League title game that we have seen in more than a decade.
Squaring off at the end of the regular season for the last several years, Saturday's contest will have more riding on its than any of the previous games. Beechcroft won the last matchup, taking down Eastmoor on the road in a 53-52 slugfest on Feb. 16, 2017. Nearly a year later, the Cougars are looking to go out on top once again.
For Eastmoor, the Warriors head into Saturday's matchup as the prohibitive underdog as the Cougars have topped Division II rankings in the area from start to finish this year. Two programs ranked among the 10 best in the state in Division II, Beechcroft and Eastmoor each face its toughest challenge yet in the City League.
Beechcroft enters at 19-1, with its only loss coming on the road at No. 1 (D1) Pickerington North on Jan. 6. Winners of its last 11 games, Beechcroft hasn't been challenged all that much this year, winning 16 games by double-digits. With one of the area's most high powered transition offenses, Beechcroft has a rotation full of long, athletic pieces that can each score in a variety of ways.
For Eastmoor, the Warriors have played at a slower pace, but have still been successful. At 17-4, Eastmoor doesn't really have a bad loss this season, however, the Warriors fell to Walnut Ridge on the road 75-62 last Tuesday. Relying heavily on senior guard Taevion Kinsey, Eastmoor will need more of a balanced offensive attack in order to take down a Beechcroft team that will be intent on shutting down the athletic Kinsey.
In a matchup between two senior laden teams that don't go very far into their benches, you will see plenty of familiar faces all afternoon long. Let's take a look at some keys to the game for each team.
Beechcroft
Eastmoor
Record: 19-1 (14-0)
Points Per Game: 83.3
Points Allowed Per Game: 57.3
Top Scorers: Jelani Simmons, 19.4 PPG
Datrey Long, 16.4 PPG
Therron Jennings, 13.3 PPG
Teon Jennings, 11.0 PPG
Elijah Bishop, 10.4 PPG
Na'elle Simmons, 6.9 PPG
Record: 17-4 (13-1)
Points Per Game: 65.7
Points Allowed Per Game: 51.5
Top Scorers: Taevion Kinsey, 19.6 PPG
Randy Olverson, 8.8 PPG
Tim Smith, 8.4 PPG
Stanley Williams, 7.3 PPG
Tariq Brown, 7.1 PPG
Tripp Hopkins: 5.8 PPG