BEXLEY, Ohio -- Despite Johnstown surprising a lot of people in the gym and hanging around with South for about 15 minutes of play, the Bulldogs used a big run late in the third quarter and carried it over into the fourth as they took down the Johnnies 65-42 in the first game of the day at the Capital City Coaches for a Cure Classic at Capital University.

Coming out of the gates with no fear, Johnstown played the game at their own pace and jumped out to a quick 5-2 lead with 5:15 left in the first after a three from Matt Sayer.

Answering with a quick 6-0 run, South regained the lead at 8-5 with 3:19 left in the first after a mid-range basket off the dribble from senior guard Marcus Johnson.

Johnstown jumped back out in front 11-10 after a post score from Jake Lusk, but South ended the quarter on fire from beyond the arc.

After a triple from Johnson and two big shots from beyond the arc from Shaiheem Pickens, the Bulldogs headed into the second frame with all of the momentum and a 19-11 lead.

They increased that lead to 23-11 with 6:03 to play in the half after two scores in the post from Sam Barton, who sat out the first quarter, but Johnstown did not panic.

After an athletic putback and a three from the top of the key courtesy of junior Gavin Foe, the Johnnies cut the deficit 23-16 with 4:43 left to go in the second.

After the teams traded buckets for a few possessions, a three from Sayer and a tough score on an offensive rebound from Joshua Potter helped Johnstown ignite the crowd and cut the South lead to 27-23 with about a minute left in the half before Trevell Adams finished a lay in right before the buzzer to take the score to 29-23.

After four straight points from Lusk early in the third, Johnstown cut the lead to just 31-29 with 6:18 left in the frame.

Storming back with a big 13-2 run after forcing a few turnovers leading to big dunks, South claimed a 44-31 lead with 1:49 left in the third after a tough finish inside from Barton. 

The Bulldogs headed into the fourth ahead 45-33 after Marquis Hawthrorne knocked down one of two at the line following a transition finish from Foe.

They rode this lead until the final buzzer, converting on some easy transition opportunities and forcing the Johnnies into some mistakes on the offensive end in the final frame. 

Barton led South with 14 points, while Johnson scored 12 and Simington and Adams each pitched in with eight.

They move to 8-0 after the win and won't play again until they travel to Miami, Florida on January 2nd to take in a few games down south.

Johnstown was paced by 13 points from Foe, 12 from Lusk and eight from Sayer. Potter also contributed seven points.

The Johnnies fall to 2-2 after the loss and will head to Grandview on the 27th for the annual Bobcat Holiday Classic.

Gavin Foe (6'1 G / Johnstown / 2021): Playing with no fear against one of the best backcourts in the state against South, Foe put his athletic tools on display and excelled playing at the Bulldogs pace. Putting together some really tough scores around the basket, the junior elevated for a tough putback, finished a tough score on Trevell Adams and came up with and-one in transition. Beating some of South's guards off the bounce with his deceptive quickness, Foe used a good first step and got in the lane for some tough finishes with both hands, weaving through the defense with an impressive handle. He also hit a three, took a charge and came up with a couple steals on the defensive end, competing extremely hard on both ends for the full 32 minutes. Keep an eye on Foe in the Licking County League as he has stellar athletic tools and an impressive feel for the game.

Matt Sayer (6'2 WF / Johnstown / 2020): Giving the Johnnies some scoring and toughness inside, Sayer more than held his own against South on Saturday. He played some tough interior defense, rebounded well and played with a great motor throughout the contest. On the offensive end, he hit two three's and came up with a tough score in the post, making the most of his opportunities and shooting a really high percentage from the field. We like what the big bodied forward brings to the Johnnies as he gives them toughness, motor and someone who can knock down open shots when he comes by them.

Marcus Johnson (6'3 WG / South / 2020): Johnson was his regular self on the defensive end against Johnstown as he blocked a shot, frustrated opposing ball handlers and came up with a few steals in the passing lanes during the contest. We were very impressed with the efficient showing Johnson turned in on the offensive end, however, as he knocked down two three's off the catch and hit three shots in the mid-range. Johnson continues to improve on his offensive arsenal every game, as he's developed a really reliable mid-range jumper off the. bounce and is starting to shoot a high percentage from three off the catch. If he keeps improving on that end of the floor, the senior should garner some low-major Division I interest as he is as good as they come in our area on the defensive perimeter.

Shaiheem Pickens (6'0 WG / South / 2020): A move-in from Akron East, Pickens probably never thought he would play on the platform that he's been on the last two weeks. First it was Nationwide Arena last Saturday for the Play By Play Classic and today it was the 5-C Classic at Capital where the senior guard stood out early in the game with his outside shooting ability. Knocking down two threes and finishing with six points, Pickens was a valuable piece off the bench, as he once again provided great energy and hustle. If he can continue to provide what he gave the Bulldogs on Saturday, he will be a key piece to a squad that has the potential to go far. 

Josh Potter (5'10 G / Johnstown / 2021): An alum of the 270 Hoops Fall League open division, Potter made his impact on Saturday with his motor alone. The 5-foot-10 guard was all over the floor on both ends, securing several 50/50 balls, grabbing a few offensive rebounds and giving his all on defense. On the offensive end, Potter hit a mid-range jumper, scored inside and knocked down one catch and shoot three. On a Johnstown team that prides itself on toughness and grit, Potter is a player that embodies that and helps the Johnnies maintain its identity. 

Shemar Lindsey (6'4 PF / South / 2021): Lindsey showed some promise for South on the offensive end on Saturday as he got the start in the place of Sam Barton. Completing a tough finish in the post to start the game and playing decent interior defense throughout the contest, he proved to be reliable on both ends in the post and also scored two tough takes off the bounce. With one of the finishes coming by way off a tough euro and the other coming off an aggressive drive into the lane, he gave South a few tough buckets and showed value in the open floor, which is exactly the way to earn more playing time in the Bulldogs rotation.