COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Behind a 17-3 run to end the third quarter, Pickerington Central (7-0) took control of Friday's non-conference test at Walnut Ridge (3-4) on Friday to cruise to a 63-46 victory.

Going into halftime with a 29-20 lead, Pickerington Central would go scoreless for the first three minutes of the third quarter, as Walnut Ridge put together a 5-0 run to pull within four points. From that point on, Pickerington Central would turn up the pressure, putting together a 13-0 run in the next three minutes. Going into the fourth quarter with a 46-28 lead, Pickerington Central would cruise in the fourth to remain unbeaten.

Going into 2017 undefeated, Pickerington Central was led by a balanced scoring attack on Friday. Junior wing Adrian Nelson led the way with 14 points, highlighted by a flurry of high-flying jams. Sophomore point guard Jeremiah Francis added 12 points, but would impress most on the defensive side of the ball, as he went up and rejected a driving Walnut Ridge player for a huge swat in the first half.

Defensive stalwart Juan Elmore added 12 points, as the junior forward cleaned up the glass and finished strongly inside. Senior center Sterling Manley added eight points, seven rebounds and four blocks, but was plagued by foul trouble for long stretches on Friday. Rounding out the starting lineup, senior guard Jalen Horton added eight points, knocking down two threes and applying great pressure on Walnut Ridge's guards.

Despite a loss, the most impressive performance on Friday came from Walnut Ridge freshman forward Von Cameron Davis, who finished with 17 points and 12 rebounds. Davis battled hard inside, showing great toughness, footwork and finishing ability, in addition to an elite rebounding performance.

Davis and fellow freshman Qian Magwood were the only Walnut Ridge players to score in double figures, as Magwood added 14 points and five assists. Friday's game had a future vs. now type of feel, as Davis and Magwood are the future stars of the City League.

With the win, Pickerington Central heads into the new year at 7-0. The Tigers get its marquee matchup of the season on Tuesday at Westerville South, as the two teams are the clear cut favorites for a regional title in Central Ohio.

For Walnut Ridge, the Scots get a week off before matching up with Eastmoor on Jan. 6 in a tough City League battle.