COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The Cruisers gave up a 14-point lead to Westland, as Drew Panning, Sohn McGee and Derrick Bogay combined for 45 for the Cougars in their first win of the season.

After a defensive battle in the first quarter, Groveport led 12-7, and the Cruisers used an eight-point quarter from Kenyatta Whiteside to give themselves a 25-18 lead at halftime.

Early in the third quarter, Whiteside and Derrick Bogay traded baskets and free throws as Westland tried to pull even. Once Marlon Elliott Jr. went out with his fourth foul, the Cougars attacked the basket and lived at the free throw line, sinking 10 total in a 22-point frame, cutting the lead to 42-40 heading into the fourth quarter after Drew Panning knocked down one at the charity stripe.

Westland would continue to chip away, cutting the lead down to two early in the fourth, after an absolutely filthy spin and finish at the rim from McGee. Back-to-back jumpers from Scotty Lomax gave the Cruisers a five-point cushion that still was not enough as the Cougars never went away. An almost highlight reel alley-oop from Sohn McGee to Drew Panning resulted in one free made free throw by Panning to get the score to 51-50.

After numerous possessions to take the lead under three minutes, McGee took the side inbound pass and took it to the rim, finally giving Westland a lead with 1:24 on the clock. Multiple misses from Groveport resulted in the Cougars capping off the comeback for their first win of the season.

Whiteside led Groveport with 18 points followed by another junior, Duane Davis with 11.

Kenyatta Whiteside (6’3 W/ Groveport Madison/ 2022): Whiteside was consistent all night, pacing the Cruisers with 18 total points and a steal to top it off. He was a threat to score at the rim and on the perimeter all night, draining a couple three-pointers, hitting a free-throw and showing good touch around the rim. The lefty is able to create space for himself and runs the floor well, getting open looks from deep. Whiteside was also active on defense and hustled all night, being part of the scramble towards the end of the game that saw both teams scratching to get the win.

Marlon Elliott Jr. (6’1 G/ Groveport Madison/ 2022): His scoring numbers won’t reflect his impact on the game, but once he went out of the game with his fourth foul midway through the third quarter and had to sit is when Westland made its run and found its rhythm. Before that, Elliott used his length to throw off and slow down the Cougar offense in the first half. He hit some big buckets in the second half to try and help stretch out the lead for his Cruisers but it wasn’t enough as his defensive aggressiveness was taken away from him in the final frame.

Derrick Bogay (6’3 W/ Westland/ 2021): After a seven-point first half, Bogay’s seven-point third quarter started the comeback for the Cougars as he attacked the basket like crazy and showed nice touch around the rim. His energy early on both ends of the court in the second half carried his team through the rest of the game. Bogay crashed the glass all night and had a couple of assists to fill out the stat sheet. In only his second start of the season, Bogay showed he could be a difference maker for the Cougars.

Sohn McGee (6’5 F/ Westland/ 2022): Hitting what turned out to be the game-winning layup put the cherry on top of a marvelous, 13-point second half. He must have paid rent in the paint, considering that’s where he lived in the second half, finishing at the rim consistently and knocking down free throws. McGee also added four assists, including a full court dime to Drew Panning that ended up cutting the lead to one. He grabbed a couple of rebounds as well and played one his best all-around games of the season.

Drew Panning (6’7 F/ Westland/ 2022): His 14 points were impressive but his effort on defense and shot-blocking ability was  even more impressive. He started blocking and disrupting shots early and it wore on over time, as Panning was able to assert himself on the defensive end. Panning showed his athleticism on an alley-oop from Sohn McGee that didn’t work but it would have been a top dunk on the season. The 6-foot-7 junior was instrumental in the fourth quarter, combining with McGee to score the last three points for Westland for the final lead. Panning even showed some intensity after a big defensive play, getting his team even more hype to win the game.