WESTERVILLE, Ohio -- It had been three years. 1,096 days. 26,304 hours since the last time Westerville South lost at home. On Tuesday, Pickerington Central sophomore guard Jeremiah Francis powered the Tigers to a statement win on the road snapping that streak. Pouring in 27 points, Francis led No. 2 Pickerington Central (8-0) over No. 1 Westerville South (8-1), 62-57.

After Westerville South controlled the first half behind the inside scoring of senior center Kaleb Wesson, the Cats looked to be in business leading 17-10. Responding with a run that resembled last season's state champion Cats, Pickerington Central would go on a dominant 22-2 charge in the second quarter, relying on Francis' four threes in the first half. Leading 35-22 at the break, Pickerington Central's 25-5 second quarter was the blow that put the Tigers in control.

While Westerville South would not back down, battling back in the second half, Francis seemed to counter every punch that the Cats threw his way.

With Westerville South closing to as close as six with just under two minutes to go in the third, Francis responded with a deep three to regain a nine-point lead for Pickerington Central.

The Cats would respond on the next trip with a three from senior Antoine Smith, but Pickerington Central again countered. Heading into the fourth with a 45-39 lead, Pickerington Central would be pushed to the brink by an experienced Westerville South team not used to trailing at home.

On the opening possession of the fourth quarter, Francis stepped up again. Hitting an elite stepback jumper, Francis triggered a 4-0 run out the gate for the Tigers capped off by a Euro-step dunk for junior wing Adrian Nelson.

After a mid-range bank shot from junior forward Juan Elmore, who stepped up with all seven of his points in the second half, Pickerington Central extended its lead to 55-46 with 5:05 to go.

Westerville South would not be denied, however, as senior forward Jake Garrison knocked down back-to-back threes to close the lead to 55-52 with 3:48 to go. After Westerville South was unable to convert on its next possession, Francis delivered the toughest blow of the game for the Tigers.

Slashing through the lane for a tough And-1 finish, Francis' key three-point play put Pickerington Central up six, as the Tigers held a 58-52 lead with 2:46 to go.

While Westerville South would close to within three again after a key three-point play from Wesson, Pickerington Central would come up clutch on the defensive end after a front end miss on a one-and-one by Francis.

As Westerville South held possession trailing by three with under a minute to go, Pickerington Central senior Darius Coker came up with a key steal on a possession that could have tied Tuesday's game. 

Grinding out Tuesday's mega-matchup in front of a sold out crowd at Westerville South, Pickerington Central put the cherry on top with a ferocious slam from senior center Sterling Manley with less than five seconds to go, all but closing the door shut on the Cats.

Senior guard Jalen Horton would hit one of two free throws at the line in the closing seconds, as Pickerington Central took down Westerville South, 62-57, which will put the Tigers at No. 1 in Central Ohio.

While the focus on Tuesday's game was on the matchup between the Ohio State signee center Wesson and the North Carolina signee center Manley, it was Francis who ended up stealing the show. Giving Pickerington Central 17 key points in the first half that opened up Tuesday's game, Francis played the best game of his young career in the biggest regular season matchup yet.

Scoring 27 points on five three-point makes, Francis had the ball on a string all night long, while applying great pressure defensively and making key plays all over the floor. Francis added five rebounds, four assists and two steals to his stellar stat line.

Outside of Francis, no other Pickerington Central player scored in double-figures, as Manley chipped in eight points and two rebounds, but was hampered by foul trouble for long stretches on Tuesday. Elmore added seven points along with freshman guard Josiah Fulcher who scored all seven of his points in that decisive second quarter.

Nelson and Coker each added five points, while Horton finished with three.

For Westerville South, Wesson led all scorers with 19 points and 12 rebounds, winning the individual matchup with Manley. Demanding the ball in the post, Wesson was dominant at times on Tuesday, but would not be able to do enough to lessen Pickerington Central's grip on the matchup.

Garrison added 12 points, 10 of which in the second half, while Smith pitched in 11 on three triples. Senior wing Cameron Caldwell added nine points, while senior guard Anthony Mills finished with three points, four rebounds and seven assists.

With the win, Pickerington Central is now one of three undefeated teams in Central Ohio, but has undoubtedly the strongest win. Avenging a regional semifinal loss to the Cats just 10 months ago, the Tigers sent a message to the rest of the reason. More impressive for the Tigers is the fact that Pickerington Central did it without key transfer wings Jah Blevins and Javohn Garcia, who will join the Tiger rotation in game No. 12.

For Westerville South, the Wildcats will look to rebound at home on Friday against No. 19 Olentangy Orange, in a matchup that pits Cats head coach Ed Calo against his son and Pioneers head man Anthony Calo for the first time ever.

Pickerington Central has another challenge on its hands at home on Friday against No. 5 Reynoldsburg, who improved to 10-1 on Tuesday with a win over New Albany.