COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Early in Tuesday night's City League matchup between East and Centennial, offense was hard to come by. The two sides combined for just 21 points in the opening quarters, but that would change in a hurry in the second half, as the Tigers knocked off Centennial 53-36, for their senior night victory.

Things started slow for the Stars as freshman Isaiah Skinn provided their only basket in the opening frame but Centennial held East to only five points. Senior Elijah Roberts had three of his team's five points. The Centennial defense was able to keep them within striking distance in the second quarter as senior Henri Young Jr had himself a block party and invited a few of his teammates as well. Young swatted shots left and right and was joined by junior Ahmed Ayed and Skinn who each enjoyed a block or two themselves.

A balanced team effort led the way for the Tigers in the second quarter as five different players scored to give them a 12-2 lead over Centennial with 2:30 left in the half. The Stars fought back with a 5-0 run to cut it to 12-7 before junior Wayne Lindsay III drained consecutive free throws to give East a 14-7 going to the locker room.
After the break, Centennial junior forward Ahmed Ayed scored the first basket to kick things off and get the game to within five. Then, Lindsay III officially entered the chat by scoring seven of his team-leading 14 points in the quarter as things picked up on both sides. Skinn’s two-pointer got the game to 23-19 and 2:40 left in the third with the score still in favor of East High, but after that the Tigers were out of the cage and they ended the quarter on a 9-2 run to take a 31-21 lead into the final frame.

Compared to the opening half, the fourth quarter was a track meet, with East scoring 20 points as a team and Centennial putting up 13 themselves which is a far cry from the seven combined total points scored in the opening quarter. The Stars fought to get the game back to single digits but could not get over the hump as the Tigers got lay-up after lay-up and made free throws the rest of the way and came out with a 53-36 win on senior night.

Junior Caeden Swanson and senior Kwalee Woods-Law finished the game with 10 points while seniors Tyrese Taylor added six and Paul Price Jr. dropped in five. Seniors Elijah Roberts and Andra Roller III both pitched in four and Antwain Reedus scored a bucket to round out the scoring.

Skinn led the Stars with 13 points along with seven rebounds, a block, a couple steals and is clearly a difference maker already. Senior Marlin Bryon and junior Ahmed Ayed both scored eight a piece, including eight combined in the third quarter. Senior Henri Young Jr and freshman Wiley Smith added triple’s and freshman Kal-el Faison scored a bucket for the young Centennial team.

Let's take a look at the top performers from Tuesday's action.

Wayne Lindsay III (5’9 G / East High School / 2023): For a senior night, the junior was the one that created the separation for the Tigers. Lindsay looked quick and explosive with the ball in his hands and made plays all night for himself and his teammates. He led all scorers with 14 points and personally stopped the 5-0 second quarter run the Stars were on with his free throws that sent his team into the half up by seven instead of possible three. Lindsay flashed being a three-level scorer but most impressively he was able to defend very well. The junior was instrumental in forcing Centennial into turnovers with his quick hands and strong upper body. An incredible game from a young man that showed incredible heart and intensity on Tuesday night.

Kwalee Woods-Law (6’2 G / East High School / 2022): The anchor of the Tigers for the past few years, Woods-Law is getting recognized here for not only his play but his dedication to the school during tough times and always playing hard for his coaches and teammates. On Tuesday, Woods-Law was his usual consistent self by scoring 10 total points, literally scoring in every quarter and each time he scored it was either the end of the quarter or a momentum swinging basket. This young man who is built like a defensive end was always down for the cause and in this era of leaving and switching schools all the time, his loyalty should be rewarded!

Isaiah Skinn (5’10 G / Centennial / 2025): His understanding for the game of basketball can be seen when watching him, the way he sees the court is special and his ability to turn the opposition over is next level. Skinn took two charges in completely different ways and caused a turnover a multitude of times, including two steals on his own and a block. The freshman is smooth off the dribble and can get into the lane when he wants. As he ages, his ability to finish with his right hand will only get better but the way he finishes with his left is already top-tier. This young man has all the makings of an elite point guard on both ends of the court, and he is only getting started.