GROVE CITY, Ohio -- Central Crossing continues to grind out tough games. The Comets faced another one on Thursday in the form of inter-district rival Franklin Heights, who gave the home team all they could handle.

Fortunately for Central Crossing (5-3), Sohn McGee was playing for the Silver and Blue, dominating Thursday's game against Franklin Heights (1-5)  to the tune of 25 points and seven assists to power the Comets to a 67-64 overtime victory. 

The Comets overcame a 12-point third quarter deficit, as McGee engineered a 13-0 run all by himself, either scoring or assisting on every Central Crossing point to put his team back on top.

That would not go without a fight from Franklin Heights, as the Falcons never backed down on Thursday. The Falcons appeared to be positioned to win the game, leading 59-55 with less than a minute remaining.

A mix of poor free throw shooting and clutch play from McGee turned the tide. The Central Crossing senior trimmed the deficit back to a point with a tough contact finish through a foul. Knocking down the ensuing free throw, McGee had Central Crossing within striking distance at 59-58.

Franklin Heights junior Abdul Fofana split a pair at the line moments later, but as his second attempt clanged off the rim, McGee secured a loose ball rebound and was fouled. The senior went to the line for a crucial one and one, draining both attempts to tie the game with 29.7 seconds to go.

In the extra period, McGee took two major charges and delivered the game-winning assist, finding Marquise Loring open on the right wing for three with a difficult pass while falling to the ground. Loring's three put the Comets ahead 65-64 with 54.2 seconds to play.

Both teams exchanged missed free throws before Franklin Heights was called for a travel with two seconds to play.

With Central Crossing inbounding in front of the Franklin Heights bench far away from their own basket, Falcons junior Billy Berry stole the inbound pass and found his way to the three point line. Launching a game-tying three just before the buzzer, Berry's heroic shot fell just short, as the final buzzer sounded in an absolute thriller of a game.

McGee was an absolute superstar for Central Crossing all game long. When the Comets needed a big play to be made, the senior delivered. That was never more apparent than in the third quarter when he completely took over the game, single-handedly willing Central Crossing to the lead and taking all momentum away from Franklin Heights.

With the Comets off to their best start in years, McGee deserves all the credit in the world, as he has led this team on both ends of the floor and been an extension of head coach Brent Cahill.

McGee's 25 points were a game-high, along with his seven assists. The senior was joined in double figures by fellow seniors Loring and Chance Woods. In the championship rounds of the game, McGee was the strongest fighter, making every single major play to deliver the Comets to another win.

For Franklin Heights, senior Maurice Bozman had a terrific game, knocking down four threes and finishing with 16 points. The Falcons had four players in double figures, as Berry added 14 points, while seniors C'Antai Kerns-Hill and Mohamed Ibrahim pitched in 11 points and 10 rebounds, respectively.

Franklin Heights was absolutely rolling in the third quarter, going up 49-37 and looking poised to run away with the game. However, the Falcons got out of rhythm and gave McGee a chance to heat up, which proved to be the difference maker in the game. With multiple chances to put the game away at the free throw line, Franklin Heights was unable to close the deal, as Thursday's loss with leave a bitter taste in their mouths heading into the new year.

Central Crossing will look to keep rolling once the calendar flips to 2022. The Comets will have three road games to begin the month of January, heading to Dublin Scioto, Westland and Reynoldsburg in a span of four days. Central Crossing could really help their seeding for the district tournament in a few months if they're able to at least go 2-1 in that stretch.

Franklin Heights will look to bounce back when they host Buckeye Valley and Worthington Kilbourne at home next week before heading to Bexley on Saturday.

Sohn McGee (6'5 PG / Central Crossing / 2022): McGee has been one of the top stock rising prospects of all players in the area this year. The 6-foot-5 senior lead guard has been an absolute playmaker and winner for Central Crossing this year, powering the Comets to a 5-3 start. We've always said that players who can take a program not known for winning and rise it to new heights will forever be more impressive than players who go to an already established program and help sustain that program. McGee has helped turn Central Crossing into a legitimate basketball team that will not be an easy out for any team they face off against. On Thursday, he was the most dominant player on the floor by a long shot, willing the Comets to a victory with 25 points and seven assists. The big guard is a terrific playmaker with the ball in his hands, as he does a great job handling the ball in traffic and making the correct reads. We were really impressed with his shotmaking and efficiency at the free throw line, as he hit the three most important free throws of the game in the fourth quarter to tie the game. McGee is a talented finisher that knows how to get into the lane and elevate to the rim where he finishes with both hands. Already a strong defender who offers tremendous versatility, McGee just continues to add layers to his game. This is a player who still has room to grow and offers tremendous upside, as he will be even better once he grows into his body and adds bulk to his lengthy frame.  Scholarship programs looking for a big guard with a high IQ and winner's mentality need to seriously contact McGee, as he has his best basketball still ahead of him. 

Maurice Bozman (5'8 hybrid guard / Franklin Heights / 2022): Bozman saved his best game of his career for the big stage, knocking down four threes and leading Franklin Heights in scoring. The 5-foot-8 senior is a sparkplug of a guard, as he can stretch the floor with his three-point shot, while being able to attack off the dribble. Bozman has infectious energy, loves his teammates and loves the game, as he has really improved over the course of four years. We recommend Bozman to college programs, as he has next level ability and will continue to improve, while being a vital asset to the culture of your team. 

Billy Berry (6'1 hybrid guard / Franklin Heights / 2023): Losing his father last year, Berry dedicated Thursday's game to his dad and it was apparent that he was playing for something far more than himself. The 6-foot-1 junior is a very skilled guard that has really impressed us in two viewings this season, as he just has a nose for the ball and can be counted on to consistently make plays. Berry was just as impressive as McGee in the passing department, throwing a handful of dime passes to help Franklin Heights hit a barrage of threes. The junior made arguably the most impressive play of the game to tie things at 55 in the fourth quarter, securing a loose ball rebound and firing a full court touchdown pass to a streaking Bozman, hitting his teammate in stride and leading to a game-tying three. Berry has great footwork around the basket, is a pest in the passing lanes and has a high IQ and feel for the game that helped him be the most productive player on his team on Thursday. With a year to go still, Berry has next level potential, as he showed off a polished and crafty skill set in an impressive 14-point, 6-assist showing. 

Mohamed Ibrahim (6'5 small forward / Franklin Heights / 2022): We have been high on Ibrahim since the opening day of the 270 Hoops Westside Shooting Camp last June. The 6-foot-5 senior is a very skilled wing with guard skills and increasing upside. We like the way Ibrahim plays the game, as he does not force anything and is a very unselfish teammate that makes the correct play. He has the ability to hit shots off the bounce, can use his length to finish around the rim and has impressive handling coordination for his size. We think it would be wise for regional college programs to give Ibrahim a call, as he will continue to get better at the next level when he can take advantage of a strength and conditioning program. There is a whole lot of potential in this young man, as we think he can become a productive college player with the skill set, size and natural feel for the game that he offers at 6-foot-5.