REYNOLDSBURG, Ohio --  Monday night, the Reynoldsburg Raiders (9-3) played host to the Westerville South Cats (10-3) in a rematch of last year’s district final that ended with a Raider win in overtime. The Raiders’ intense defense was too much to handle for the Cats, leading to an impressive 76-54 win. 

The game was off to a slow start in the first, seeing just one combined point in over two minutes of game play when Makiya Miller sparked the Raiders’ offense. The junior guard knocked down two threes in the quarter. 

Westerville South kept the game within four points headed into the second quarter by forcing Raider turnovers and converting on the offensive end of the floor. Reynoldsburg led 15-11 headed into the second. 

The second period was just what Reynoldsburg needed to really get things going offensively. The Raiders keyed in on their defensive efforts, leading to easy points and control of the tempo and game. 

The quarter was highlighted by an offensive outburst by juniors Alexia Mobley and Imarianah Russell as they combined for 23 in the frame. 

Great three point shooting from sophomore Laila Jones and freshman Zoe Guice gave the Cats a little spark and kept the game within reach with a 40-28 score heading into halftime. 

To start the second half, Reynoldsburg continued their tenacious defensive ways and that was the major key to extending their lead. Another big quarter by Mobley and Russell with a combined 18 points fueled the Raiders to outscore the Cats 21-12 in the quarter and maintain a 61-40 lead with one quarter to go. 

Reynoldsburg maintained control in the fourth by spreading the offensive wealth, seeing five players hit the scoring column. 

Reynoldsburg was led by Russell with 32 followed by Mobley with 16 and Miller with 11. Senior and Delaware commit Aja Austin led Westerville South with 20 and was supported by sophomore Leila Jones with 14 and junior Nelia Guice with 12.