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Jared Sullinger Play By Play Classic: Event Preview

By Zach Fleer, 01/23/20, 11:00AM EST

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We take a look at the six game event going down at Ohio Dominican on Saturday

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- For the second time this season, the Scholastic Play By Play Classic has come to Columbus.

While Jeremy Treatman and his staff put on a world class event on Dec. 14 at Nationwide Arena that brought out the global media and ESPN, the second rendition of the PBP Classic won't carry as much fanfare, however, there are still some solid matchups.

Let's take a look at the matchups and what to expect on Saturday at Ohio Dominican.

11:30 AM - Jonathan Alder (12-2) vs. Reynoldsburg (10-6)

 

This is the first matchup we can remember between these two programs. Jonathan Alder is rolling at 12-2 and is unbeaten in Central Buckeye Conference play, while Reynoldsburg is also hot as of late, winners in six of its last seven games including a road win at Westerville South on Tuesday, the only local team to beat Jonathan Alder this year.

Jonathan Alder players to watch: Jackson Izzard (Jr. G), Jack Santa-Emma (Sr. G), Logan Stevens (Sr. F), Henry Walker (Sr. F) 

Reynoldsburg players to watch: Sean Moore (Sr. G), Cooper Davis (So. G), Julian Heckman (So. G), James Dean (Sr. G) 

1:00 PM - Africentric (5-9) vs. Dublin Coffman (11-5)

 

In a battle between two teams that are down from years past, this one will be guard heavy. Both lineups are led by its backcourts, as the matchups in this one are super intriguing. A win here for Africentric would be huge for the Nubians' confidence, as they have yet to register a real signature win this season.

Africentric players to watch: Cali Davis (Sr. G), Eli Burke (Jr. G), Dan Wagner (So. G)

Dublin Coffman players to watch: Keaton Turner (Sr. G), Ajay Sheldon (So. G), Nash Hostetler (Jr. G)

2:45 PM - Newark (13-2) vs. Whitehall (9-5)

 

The leaders in the OCC-Capital do battle against the leaders in the MSL-Ohio. This is a potential tournament preview in Division I, as Newark has just two blemishes on its resume while Whitehall is out to a 9-5 start with a couple big wins. We look forward to seeing how the styles in this game contrast each other, as Whitehall has proven this year that they can win both in an uptempo and in a slow down game. 

Newark players to watch: Jaden Woods (Sr. F), Bobby Crenshaw (Jr. G), Kade Bafford (Jr. G), Drew Ballinger (Jr. G)

Whitehall players to watch: Kievon Wiggins (Jr. F), Royal Sibly (Jr. F), Josiah Mobley (Jr. G)

4:30 PM - Northland (7-6) vs. Thomas Worthington (12-4)

 

Both of these teams have struggled as of late, as Northland is in a tight battle for first place in the City League North and on the wrong side of a funky tie breaker, while Thomas Worthington has lost its last two league games on the road to Hilliard Bradley and Delaware Hayes. Northland fought hard in this same matchup a year ago, however, Thomas Worthington is a much different team this time around.

Northland players to watch: Makhale Massey (Jr. G), Rob Dorsey III (So. G), Eldon Boateng (Sr. F), Devan White (Sr. G)

Thomas Worthington players to watch:  Jalen Sullinger (Jr. G), Tyrese Hughey (Jr. F), Omari Effiong (Jr. G), Isaac Settles (Jr. F)

6:15 PM - Hilliard Bradley (13-1) vs. London (9-6)

 

This could be the most lopsided matchup in the event, as Hilliard Bradley is the heavy favorites against a London team that has not lived up to high expectations coming into the season. We forecast that the Division II Red Raiders will have a tough time scoring against a Hilliard Bradley defense that has given up 50 points only once this season - and that came in a win over AP state No. 1 St. Edward. 

The matchup on the perimeter between Matt Allocco and Trey Woodyard could be the best one-on-one battle of the day.

Hilliard Bradley players to watch: Matt Allocco (Sr. G), Keaton Norris (Jr. G), Tayshaun Mayfield (So. F), AJ Mirgon (Jr. G)

London players to watch: Trey Woodyard (Jr. G), Isaiah Hatem (Sr. G), Jainaz Cameron (Jr. C), Jayden Hawkins-White (Jr. G)

8:00 PM - Pickerington Central (11-4) vs. Walnut Ridge (12-2)

 

Now this is what the people came to see. This might be the most intense non-league matchup of the year as Pickerington Central comes in hot with wins over Pickerington North and Dream City (AZ) while Walnut Ridge is rolling as winners of its last seven games with knockout blows over Hilliard Bradley and South on its resume.

There is a lot of tension between these two programs, as Pickerington Central knocked Walnut Ridge out of the district tournament in both 2016 and 2018, while winning on the road at Ridge in 2017.

Not meeting since that 2018 sectional final, Walnut Ridge is looking to pick up its first victory over Pickerington Central since Dec. 12, 2015 when soon-to-be NFL linebacker Malik Harrison went beast mode on the road with 21 points, 22 rebounds and five blocks. Ridge may need a performance like that out of VonCameron Davis and Kaveon Ross to get the job done against an absolutely loaded Central squad in the nightcap of the PBP Classic. 

Pickerington Central players to watch: Garner Wallace (Jr. G), Conner Maciag (Sr. G), Tahleik Walker (Sr. G), Elhadji Thiam (Jr. F)

Walnut Ridge players to watch: VonCameron Davis (Sr. F), Kaveon Ross (Sr. F), Qian Magwood (Sr. G), Leon Douglas (Jr. G) 

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