COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The 6th annual 270 Battle for the City kicked off this week with the 2025 and 2024 events. The 2024 boys showed out, and in this article, I will recap the top performers from the 2024 boys game.
Dunk Contest Champion: Na’Varion Adams (6'7 PF / Walnut Ridge)
Three-Point Shootout Champion: James Nowell (6'1 SG / Eastmoor Academy)
Game MVP: Juwan Turner (5'11 PG / Pickerington Central)
James Nowell (6'1 SG / Eastmoor Academy)
After taking home the three-point shootout crown, Nowell stayed hot and shot the lights out during the game. He nailed eight threes and totaled 24 points to lead all scorers. He rarely missed and every time he shot, you knew it was going in. Nowell had a stretch where he made three straight triples on three straight possessions and was a big reason the Central team was able to mount a comeback. The sharpshooter will be a big piece for Eastmoor next season as they look to make a run in City league play.
Juwan Turner (5'11 PG / Pickerington Central)
Fresh off a trip to Dayton where he came back with some hardware, Turner showed out in the all-star game and took home game MVP. He totaled 12 points which came from long range as well as some nifty finishes around the rim. He also showed off his passing game with flashy passes to set up teammates. Turner will be at the helm of the Tiger offense next season and will hope to repeat a trip to states.
Tito Glass (6'3 SF / Marion-Franklin)
Glass showed his three-level scoring ability as he finished with 23 points and got buckets from everywhere on the floor. The hyper-athletic wing was able to knock down four triples as well as dominate inside. His pure strength and athleticism allows him to sky in for rebounds and go back up strong. Glass can get downhill fast and finish through contact at the rim with ease. He will be a force in the City League next season for Marion-Franklin.
Cortez Freeman (6'2 hybrid guard / Canal Winchester)
Freeman led his team with 16 points and was a big reason the OCC all-stars came out with a win. He distributed the ball around well and set up teammates on numerous occasions. He knocked down two triples from well behind the three-point arc and got to the rim easily. He can finish with both hands and has a variety of moves to put on display. With his backcourt mate Derrick James graduating, Freeman will be the man for Canal next season.
Honorable mention: Shaheem Nieves (6'2 SG / Thomas Worthington), Jesse Burris (6'6 SF / Delaware Hayes), Atou Thiam (6'3 SF / Pickerington Central), Derek Goodman (6'3 SG / Olentangy Liberty), Jason Moore (6'7 PF / Marysville), Maurice McCall (6'2 PG / South), Philip Towns (5'10 PG / Linden-McKinley), Carson Smith (6'4 SG / River Valley)