WESTERVILLE, Ohio -- For most teams, opening the season on the road with a crosstown rival is not normally ideal conditions; but most teams also are not like Westerville South.

Behind big performances from seniors Antoine Smith and Kaleb Wesson, the Wildcats rolled out to a 17-5 lead in the opening five minutes of the game and never looked back, easily putting away Westerville North 71-49 in an OCC-Buckeye opener. Smith had 11 of his game-high 20 points in the third quarter that saw the already double-digit Wildcat lead balloon to 31. The senior was at his best from beyond the arc, knocking down three triples in the quarter, four for the game.

Despite the rough start Westerville North was able to cut into the Wildcat lead, trimming the deficit to 26-18 midway through the second quarter, as the teams traded threes on consecutive possessions. Junior JJ Harvey was a key part of that for the Warriors, hitting two threes, adding in ten of his 12 points in the opening two quarters.

The play of senior Anthony Mills in the first half was a major key for the Wildcats, being an effective leader offensively and contributing nine points over the opening two quarters of play. His tight handle kept the Westerville North defenders guessing all night long.

Wesson's buzzer beating layup at the end of the first half closed out the frame with the Cats up by 14, and Smith's bucket to open the third quarter helped spark the run that would put Westerville North away for good.

Westerville South will now get the weekend off before heading to play Gahanna on Monday night, while Westerville North has a quick turnaround, playing Bowman Academy (IN) tomorrow night at the All-Ohio High School Showcase at Whitehall HS.