REYNOLDSBURG, Ohio -- Tuesday gave us a matchup of two of the area's more consistent programs over the last 10 years as Northland hit the road to take on Reynoldsburg. The Vikings (13-8) were hit with a fury of scoring from the Raiders in the middle quarters, as Reynoldsburg (11-7) rolled to a huge 70-45 win. 

The early stages of the game were back and forth, as Northland came out aggressive and prepared. However, Reynoldsburg began to hit the three ball at a high level and got two powerful dunks from freshman Toby Nwokolo to start rolling. The run hit a fever pitch at the half time buzzer when Reynoldsburg senior guard Julian Heckman went the length of the court and buried a three at the buzzer to put the Raiders ahead 37-21 going into the break.

It was all Reynoldsburg from that point forward, as Nwokolo continued his big night with a massive tip slam in the third quarter that put an exclamation mark on the win for the Raiders. 11 different players scored for Reynoldsburg, led by senior guard Isaiah Wilkins and junior guard Zazen Bivens, who combined for 15 points each.

Nwokolo added eight points, while sophomore Noah Smith and Heckman each finished with seven points. The Raiders did an outstanding job of moving the ball and finding open teammates, as Reynoldsburg played with a great degree of unselfishness. Hot shooting and crisp ball movement like they showed on Tuesday could help this team challenge for a district title, as promising freshmen Nwokolo and Jordan Fisher give Reynoldsburg another athletic gear.

The Raiders can keep rolling this weekend with back-to-back league road games on Friday and Saturday against Central Crossing and Pickerington North, respectively. Reynoldsburg is led by one of the area's best coaches in Andy Moore and have shown the ability to compete against the best teams in the area, with its biggest win to date coming against Lakewood St. Edward on Dec. 21. 

Despite being 11-7, Reynoldsburg is arguably a top 10 team in the area, with six of its seven losses coming by single digits. If they can get a few breaks to fall their way, this team could make a surprise run in the tournament. 

Reynoldsburg's tournament run will begin on Fri. Feb. 25 at home against the winner of No. 14 Groveport Madison and No. 37 Central Crossing, both league opponents in the OCC-Buckeye. Groveport swept the Raiders this season and wasted no time in squaring up for a potential third time. 

For Northland, despite the rough night, senior Rob Dorsey III had a strong showing with 18 points. The veteran Dorsey was the only player above five points for Northland, as the Vikings supporting cast really struggled to convert against the depth of Reynoldsburg.

A difficult week gets even tougher as the Vikings will head to Eastmoor Academy on Thursday after falling in back to back games against Beechcroft and Reynoldsburg. Before this week, Northland had won nine-straight games, with big wins coming over Dublin Jerome and Linden-McKinley. First year coach Tihon Johnson has the buy in from his players, which should help Northland compete at the district level in a few weeks. 

Northland's run to a first district title since 2015 will begin on Tues., Feb. 22 when the No. 16 Vikings host No. 35 Olentangy Berlin. 

Toby Nwokolo (6'4 SG / Reynoldsburg / 2025): Tuesday was a night where Nwokolo rose above the rest of the prospects on the floor, both figuratively and literally. The 6-foot-4 freshman is an explosive athlete that pops off the radar with the plays he is able to make above the rim. Watching Nwokolo since we first laid eyes on him at the 270 Hoops Exposure Series last August, it was clear from the beginning that this kid has something special about him. That was apparent against at The 270 Hoops Intro in October where he showed even more athleticism than what we saw in August. That trend continued on Tuesday as Nwokolo had three powerful dunks, none more impressive than his tip slam in the third quarter. While Nwokolo is primarily a play finisher on a team with plenty of guard talent, the freshman has the ability to score off the bounce due to his size, handle and physicality. Reynoldsburg has an amazing freshman duo with Nwokolo and Fisher, and with the arrival of star Raiders 8th grader Jorden Bowens next fall, this program will have a chance to reach new heights with the impressive core of young talent. When you combine that with Andy Moore's track record as a skill developer and top x's and o's coach after spending 20 years at the Division I level, Reynoldsburg could be a top five power in the area in a few years. 

Robert Dorsey III (5'11 PG / Northland / 2022): When it comes to players in the 2022 class, very few have been as consistently productive as Dorsey. While Northland hasn't enjoyed the success they were used to in years past, that does not take away from the legacy that Dorsey will leave the program with. The 5-foot-11 senior is an absolute bulldog that has been a two-way impact player from the very beginning. We have enjoyed watching Dorsey develop, as he has a powerful frame, is an explosive athlete and has a polished skill set that help him set the table for his offense and provide the bulk of scoring when needed. Also a standout football player, Dorsey just has a toughness that you cannot teach which gives him an advantage any time he hits the floor. Dorsey can really finish at the rim but has improved the most with his perimeter shooting where he is a threat to make shots off the bounce. It's hard for most high school guards to contain Dorsey due to his impressive physique and physical strength combined with his skill set and scoring ability. 

Jordan Fisher (6'6 SF / Reynoldsburg / 2025): Reynoldsburg has two of the highest upside freshmen in the state in Nwokolo and Fisher. While Tuesday was Nwokolo's night, Fisher has been extremely solid all season long, becoming one of Reynoldsburg's top scorers and a consistent starter. The 6-foot-6 freshman pops off the radar, as he has a great frame, intriguing length and a natural skill set that will help him become one of the highly sought after players in the area. We saw flashes of Fisher's potential on Tuesday, as he knocked down a three and used his length on the defensive end of the floor. Fisher was an absolute stud at the 270 Hoops Exposure Series and 270 Hoops Intro last fall, as he was as impressive of an athlete as we saw in the freshman class. Look for this young man to develop into a top prospect in the area.

Zazen Bivens (5'11 SG / Reynoldsburg / 2023): When it comes to natural scoring ability, pound for pound, Bivens can hang with anyone. He is the perfect energy guy off the bench for Reynoldsburg, as he provides a huge spark when his shots are falling, which was the case on Tuesday as he knocked down five threes. Bivens has a beautiful jump shot and does a great job of utilizing head fakes and ball fakes to create separation. We like the personality and expression that Bivens plays with, as he gives his teammates a boost of confidence and energy when he hits the floor. If Bivens can continue to harness his big personality and combine it with explosive scoring, he could become a late blooming guard prospect that helps this team get over the hump as a senior. 

Noah Smith (6'3 SG / Reynoldsburg / 2024): Smith is one of a few high upside underclassmen in this Reynoldsburg program. The consistent theme with a lot of these Reynoldsburg players developed under Andy Moore is the solid skill set that all of them possess. Every player in Reynoldsburg's rotation has a high IQ, knows how to pass, dribble and shoot, things that seem simple but are not consistent across the area. Smith has great size, is an above average athlete and showed the ability to knock down shots both off movement and off the bounce last night. Smith has the potential to develop into a 3-&-D wing that offers toughness and versatility. 

Julian Heckman (6'1 PG / Reynoldsburg / 2022): Heckman is one of the better facilitating guards in the OCC. The 6-foot-1 senior is a do-it-all ball handler that can make plays for himself and others. The unselfish nature of this team starts and ends with Heckman, as the senior leader sets the tone with the way he plays the game. Heckman can score it from all over, but is best served attacking the defense where he does a great job drawing attention and hitting open shooters and cutters. The senior has good size on the perimeter and would be a great recruit for local colleges in the area.

Isaiah Wilkins (6'3 SG / Reynoldsburg / 2022): We are big fans of Wilkins' game. The senior is so solid and so efficient. He had 15 points on Tuesday and was very effective from all areas of the floor. Wilkins is a knockdown shooter, but just as efficient going to the rim where he is a strong finisher. Wilkins has versatility on both ends of the floor, competes hard and has a high IQ and good feel for the game. Small colleges in the region would be wise to recruit Wilkins.

Deangelo Mitchell (6'3 SF / Northland / 2022): Mitchell has been one of the better stock rising players in the City League North over the last year. The 6-foot-3 senior is a high motor wing forward that does most of his work on the interior. Mitchell has a great wingspan, good lateral movement and natural instincts on the defensive end. Offensively, Mitchell has refined his game and showed more touch and poise from what we saw a year ago. If you need a player that will give it his all and play at a high level for 40 minutes, Mitchell is your guy.