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Battle for the City: Girls Top Performers

By Emma Ervin, 04/16/23, 6:45PM EDT

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Check out the top performers in the 2023 B4TC

GROVE CITY, Ohio -- The annual 270 Hoops' Battle for the City presented by E.E. Ward Moving took place last week at Central Crossing High School.

This year the showcase featured one combined game for girls in all classes across Central Ohio. On Tuesday, the Central Ohio Red team dominated the Central Ohio Blue team en route to a lopsided  104-77 victory.

Below, our prospect scouts highlighted their favorite performances from the day.

Berry Wallace (6’1 F / Pickerington Central / 2024) - Wallace, a first-team Division I All-Ohioan and the 37th ranked player in the class of 2024 (ESPN), surely deserves that ranking. The junior averaged 14.2 points per game this season and tallied 17 in the B4TC to go along with five boards. She has as many capabilities/tools as a Swiss Army Knife. Her midrange game is well polished, she can finish in a variety of ways at the rim and sinks threes consistently. She can fill in at the point guard position and is a true leader of any team she is on. Wallace holds offers from several perennial Division I powers and her stock will continue to rise over the summer.

Natiah Nelson (5’10 F / Africentric / 2024) - Nelson, the 2023 Battle for the City MVP and first-team Division III All-Ohioan, is by far one of the best players in Columbus. She is incredibly passionate and competitive and will out-work anyone on the floor. She attacks the basket with purpose and finishes better than anyone through contact. She displayed a considerable amount of range, knocking down two threes in the game. Nelson will do absolutely anything you ask of her and will make her teammates better in the process. In the B4TC, she tallied 24 points and 11 boards while powering her team to a lopsided win. The junior averaged 15.0 points per game this season while leading the Nubians to a state title and to top it off, she already holds numerous Division I offers.

Jenna Kopyar (6’0 G / Dublin Coffman / 2023) - Kopyar played one of the best all around games on Tuesday night just as she has the last four years for the Rocks. In the B4TC, she put up 10 points, 12 rebounds and six assists en route to a big win. She has picture perfect form and consistently hits from the three point line. Her ability to drive and dish opened up many looks for open teammates. Her length at the guard position proves to be a challenge for opposing defenders, giving her an advantage on the offensive end. On the defensive end, she does just about anything you ask. She is always crashing the boards, will lock down great offensive producers and is active in passing lanes. Kopyar, a second-team All Ohioan averaged 14.0 points per game this season, looks to make a big impact at the college level.

Jeniya Bowers (5’9 G / Africentric / 2026) - Bowers, one of two freshmen in the game, stood out and played like a veteran. She is a long guard who plays tremendous defense. She interrupts passing lanes and blocks or contests shots. Frequently, she drew the assignment to guard Madison Greene and did a decent job holding her own. Bowers prefers the three point line where she has major range and shoots consistently. She can get to the rim, finishes in traffic and finishes with both hands. She averaged 15.0 points per game in her first varsity season, was second-team All Ohio and won a state championship. We expect big things out of Bowers in the coming seasons.

Madison Greene (5’7 G / Pickerington Central / 2023) - Madison Greene is the best girls basketball player in Columbus and she put her talents on display on Tuesday during the Battle for the City. The Vanderbilt signee can do it all offensively. She scored 21 points in a variety of ways including three three pointers and a between the legs layup to end the game. She dazzled with unbelievable ball control and controlled the pace of the game. To top it off, she tallied 11 boards and displayed some lock down defense. The first-team All Ohio senior phenom averaged 15.2 points per game this year while leading the Tigers to the Division I final four. Greene will be great at the level and we can’t wait to watch.

Ellie Bruce (6’2 C / Fisher Catholic / 2024) - Bruce has really improved her game over the last year and has developed into a go-to post player. This season she averaged 16.6 points per game while leading the Irish to a Central District championship. She increased her ability to finish through contact and is always in the correct position when a teammate drives to the basket. Bruce moves well when the ball is in the air and frequently extends possessions with offensive rebounds. On a team loaded with talent, she put up  a respectable 10 points and seven rebounds. If she continues to improve at this rate, Bruce will make a big impact at the college level.

Olivia Cooper (6’1 F / Pickerington Central / 2023) - Cooper, a Columbia signee and honorable mention All Ohioan, brings a diverse skill set to the floor. She averaged 11.0 points per game this year but made just as big of an impact on the defensive end of the floor. She can guard positions 1-5 and makes her presence known on both the offensive and defensive glass. Her length allows her to stretch the floor where she has a very developed midrange game or will pull up for a three. She is creative in getting to the basket and fishes better than anyone through contact. We are confident she will make a major impact when she joins a WNIT runner-up Columbia squad next year.

Ceylone Brooks (5’9 G / Upper Arlington / 2023) - Brooks, a special mention All Ohioan,  She has an incredibly quick release and is one of the best three point shooters in the area. While she favors the three point line, she can get to the rim in a hurry and will finish consistently. She has also developed a nice midrange game that features a turn around jumper and a floater. She has a high basketball IQ and it shows. She defends well, anticipates on offense and defense, finds open teammates and is very competitive. Brooks averaged 14.3 points per game this season and started drawing attention from Division I programs. Wherever she lands, she will be great. 

Leila Jones (5’9 G / Westerville South / 2023) - Jones, an Akron signee, made a run for MVP late in the second half thanks to lights out shooting from the three point line. Score totaled 18 points (four three pointers) and nine rebounds helping team Red seal the victory. Over the last year, she has grown significantly on the defensive end of the floor and Westerville South relied on her several times during the season to get big stops. Her three point game continues to impress as she works on refining consistency. She will fit in perfectly to Akron’s system and we can’t wait to see what she can do at the next level.

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