UPPER ARLINGTON, Ohio -- Elijah Meredith has to feel on top of the world of high school basketball right now. The Wellington senior's line coming into Tuesday's important MSL-Ohio battle against Buckeye Valley?

25 points (on perfect shooting) against Hamilton Township last Thursday, 26 points against Bexley just two nights later. 

What did he do on Tuesday? Oh, just drop another 26 piece to lead Wellington (8-5, 4-3) to a HUGE win over the visiting Barons (10-3, 5-2), 64-62.

The senior got it done early and often, knocking down three triples in the first quarter alone to help Wellington jump out to an early lead.

While Buckeye Valley fought back hard and regained control with a 20-7 second quarter, Meredith would not be denied. 

Fouled shooting a three-pointer just seconds before the end of the third, Meredith knocked down two of three attempts at the stripe to tie the game at 48 heading into the final frame.

In the fourth, Wellington took control, as the Jags held Buckeye Valley scoreless for nearly half the period when a steal and huge slam from Meredith put the Jags ahead 54-48 with 4:51 remaining in the game.

Wellington kept Buckeye Valley at a distance for the remainder of the period, however the Barons crept back in late and had a chance to tie or take the lead on the final possession.

Trailing by two points with 15 seconds to go, Buckeye Valley got some good fortune when sophomore guard Owen Osborne stepped in front of Meredith after the senior had already passed the ball, drawing a charge and giving the Barons one last shot with five seconds remaining. 

Buckeye Valley did not capitalize, however, as Osborne was forced into a difficult shot on the final possession, allowing Wellington to escape with a huge win that now puts them right back in the thick of the MSL-Ohio title race.

Losing 64-62 at Buckeye Valley in its opener, Wellington was on the right side of that same score on Tuesday, as Meredith led all players with 26 points and nine rebounds. The Jags got big production out of freshman Brandon Ivery, who came off the bench and added 15 big points.

For Buckeye Valley, senior Dylan Herbert and junior Jacob Radcliffe each finished with 18 points, as the Barons were without its best player in sophomore Dylan Thompson, who suffered an ankle injury in its loss to Whitehall last week. 

Wellington seems to be peaking at the right time, as the Jags have won its last five games and have picked up key league victories over Grandview Heights and Buckeye Valley. They'll return to the floor when they head to Bishop Hartley on Saturday in non-league action.

Tuesday's win also marked the 100th career victory for head coach Artie Taylor in his five-plus seasons as head coach, which included state tournament trips in 2017 and 2018.

The Barons, who won its first five games in the inaugural season in the MSL-Ohio, have dropped their last two on the road. They'll go 10 days before their next league game, as they will make yet another hour trip south when they head to Grandview Heights on Jan. 31. 

Elijah Meredith (6'5 WF / Wellington / 2020): Every single year there are a small handful of seniors who make major strides and become primetime players in the area. Consider Meredith officially part of that select group, as he is playing the best basketball of his career and had another strong showing to lead Wellington to a big win. The 6-foot-5 forward has added layers to his game, as he knocked down four triples, finished with toughness around the basket and even showcased his above the rim theatrics with a powerful slam that brought the house down in the fourth quarter. Finishing with 26 points and nine rebounds, Meredith was a bit of a game wrecker on Tuesday, as he was a constant threat on the offensive glass, cleaning up his own misses on a handful of possessions and creating vital second chance opportunities for the Jags. Coming in from Olentangy Orange after his sophomore season, Meredith was limited to just 11 games last year, however, he's got a full 22 games to showcase what he can do and he is clearly not wasting the opportunity. An ELITE level student that has already been accepted into a handful of prestigious universities, Meredith is a no brainer for high academic schools that could use someone with his size, toughness and improving shot making ability. 

Brandon Ivery (6'3 WF / Wellington / 2023): A young player that instantly jumped onto our radar at the 270 Hoops Intro event in August and then once again in the Open Division of the 270 Hoops Fall League, it was nice to get eyes on Ivery on Tuesday. The 6-foot-3 freshman has clearly added more and more to his game, as he was as vital as anyone in Wellington's big win. Coming off the bench and going for 15 points, Ivery showcased just about every part of his deep arsenal, proving to be a difficult matchup for a Buckeye Valley team that had nobody to contest his length and motor. Ivery cleaned up around the rim, finishing at a high level at the basket, while stretching the floor and knocking down two mid-range jumpers, the second of which coming off a nice dribble move that helped him create separation. Thanks to his length and athleticism, Ivery was a pest in the passing lanes and on help side defense where he gave Wellington a big boost. When he's playing with confidence and letting his motor dictate his play, Ivery can be really effective, as he's a lengthy wing oozing with potential, while having a natural ability to put the ball in the rim as a slasher. When Meredith graduates this spring, look for Ivery to step into an expanded role next winter, as we see him being a guy who could really break out as a sophomore. 

Jacob Radcliffe (6'6 PF / Buckeye Valley / 2021): With its starting post player Max Stokey out with two quick fouls, Radcliffe entered the game and never came back out, as he provided Buckeye Valley with 18 big points off the bench. The 6-foot-6 junior was a play finisher in the first half, scoring just about every time he received the ball on the interior, showcasing strong inside finishing and a high level of activity around the rim as a rebounder. With great size and a strong frame, Radcliffe is a rising big to keep an eye on in Delaware County, as he provides Buckeye Valley with a great boost, as most teams don't have the luxury of a quality big like Radcliffe coming off the bench. 

Dylan Herbert (6'1 PG / Buckeye Valley / 2020): The smooth shooting Herbert came alive in the second half, scoring the vast majority of his team-high 18 points after halftime. With Buckeye Valley missing its top player Dylan Thompson on Tuesday, the onus was on the rest of the roster to step up and Herbert helped in that regard, as he knocked down three triples and contributed a handful of assists. While he is known for his shooting, Herbert is a quality ball handler and passer who made some strong reads which led to buckets for the Barons. Herbert is a no brainer Division III prospect, as he can make shots, can create his own looks and is a talented passer that can set up others to score.