GAHANNA, Ohio -- The Sean Jones Show returned to the area on Friday as Gahanna Lincoln hosted Toledo Central Catholic in a non-league matchup that was thrown together earlier this week.

With Gahanna's original opponent Westerville Central forced to cancel, the Lions quickly found a team to play and that happened to be the Irish, who traveled two-plus hours for a 6 p.m. tip off.

The Irish, who do not feature a senior in its lineup, battled hard with the reigning OCC-Ohio champs for three and a half quarters. Sophomore guard Chico Johnson did all he could to keep the game close, however, Gahanna's balanced scoring and tight, pressure defense broke the camel's back, as the Lions cruised to a 63-45 win.

Jones led his team with 17 points, while fellow junior Javan Simmons added 15 points on diversified scoring. Seniors Jarius Jones and Maceo Williams each finished with 10 points while junior guard Eljae Deas rounded out the starting lineup with seven points.

Johnson was a masterful scorer on Friday, finishing with 23 points on an assortment of pretty jump shots. No other Irish scorer added more than six points, as Johnson was the lone source of offense from the first quarter on, scoring 22 points in the final three quarters.

Gahanna will return to the floor when they travel to Westland on Saturday to open up OCC-Ohio play.

Javan Simmons (6'7 PF / Gahanna Lincoln / 2022): Everything is starting to click for Simmons, which quite frankly is really fun to watch. When we saw him for the first time two years ago as a freshman at Bishop Hartley, we loved how tough and physical Simmons was, despite being 2-3 years younger than everyone else on the floor. He's grown exceptionally from that time, as he's kept the motor and chip on his shoulder, while adding a consistent three-point shot, reliable post scoring moves and an improved defensive IQ that helped him take two charges on Friday. With Simmons, you'll never have to worry about toughness, work ethic or desire, as he is a seasoned vet in all three of those categories. There weren't many players in the state who worked harder than Simmons over the offseason and it's clearly starting to show, as he was Gahanna's most impactful player on Friday in all areas of the game. This is a bonafide scholarship prospect that's only going to continue to get better, mainly because he wants it and loves the game. It's hard not to root for a kid like Simmons. 

Chico Johnson (6'3 WG / Toledo Central Catholic / 2023): Smooth, cold-blooded bucket. That's the best way to describe Johnson, as the 6-foot-3 sophomore has a very polished offensive game that was very impressive on Friday. The sophomore has a silky smooth jump shot that he hit in spot-up situations, off movement and off the bounce. Johnson's mid-range pull up game is deadly, as he was automatic from that area and did an outstanding job of keeping his matchup off balance. For only being a sophomore, Johnson has a great feel to the game and really knows HOW to score, as he did not take any bad shots, got to his spots at will and scored it on every level of the defense. This is a young player that people in Northwest Ohio and beyond will want to familiarize themselves with. 

Sean Jones (5'11 PG / Gahanna Lincoln / 2022): Missing all week of practice with a sprained ankle, Jones was not his usual explosive self on Friday despite throwing down his first in-game dunk ever. You could tell that Jones was favoring that ankle, as he didn't have as much burst as usual, however, he still found a way to be highly productive and lead his team in points and assists. The 5-foot-11 junior guard knocked down two threes, had three finishes at the rim and a handful of assists. Jones runs Gahanna's Princeton offense to perfection, being able to read different levels of the defense to create opportunities for his team. We look forward to seeing Jones back to 100 percent health, as he has the capability to lead Gahanna to the district finals and beyond this year. 

Jarius Jones (6'5 WG / Gahanna Lincoln / 2021): Jones is the ultimate glue guy, as his impact on the game is multi-faceted. Whether it's in the open floor where he's a terrific finisher or on defense where Jones has active hands and always finds his way in the passing lanes, the senior just gets the job done. Jones had another strong showing in terms of energy, motor and two-way production, despite a tough shooting night. If Jones can find a way to get back to a reliable jumper, his game will really expand and will allow him to make an even bigger impact. We love Jones' approach to the game, as you always know what you're going to get out of him in terms of toughness and hustle. 

Sam Lee (6'6 PF / Toledo Central Catholic / 2023): We enjoyed watching Lee compete on the interior against a great Gahanna front line. Lee establishes good position on the block, can finish with either hand at the rim and has a strong frame that helps him go up through contact. The 6-foot-6 sophomore did a great job on defense against Gahanna's front court duo, competed on the glass and even showed impressive rim-protecting ability on a chasedown block where he completely erased a potential layup in transition. The Irish may be very young, but with sophomores like Johnson, Lee and guard Michael Greenlee, the future is bright.