PICKERINGTON, Ohio -- The Bates brothers have done it again. A year after the great success of the inaugural The Challenge at Africentric, the event will return to Pickerington North on January. 6, 2018. 

As Africentric coach Michael Bates and the Nubians hosted the event in its infancy last year, Pickerington North coach Jason Bates and the Panthers take it over this season. With Pickerington North being one of the top favorites to take home a state title in 2017-18, The Challenge will present some of the best matchups that this season will have to offer.

Game 1

Linden-McKinley vs. Westerville North

Players to Watch: 2018 WN PG Julius Brown, 2018 LM SF Faizon Tucker, 2019 WN PG Jeremiah Keene, 2019 LM C D'Amonte Jones, 2019 WN SF Philip Alston, 2021 LM SG Chance Groce

Game 2

Bishop Hartley vs. Groveport-Madison

Players to Watch: 2018 BH SG Garrett Tipton, 2018 GM SG Antwon Hampton, 2018 GM SG Curtis Jacobs, 2019 BH SG Morgan Safford

Game 3

Northland vs. Hilliard Bradley

Players to Watch: 2018 HB PG Braden Norris, 2018 HB PF Isaiah Speelman, 2018 NL SG Jejuan Weatherspoon, 2019 NL PG William Mfum, 2019 NL PG N'Keeley Elmore, 2020 HB PG Matt Allocco, 2020 HB SF Chris Mayfield, 2021 HB PF Jack Pugh

Game 4

Africentric vs. Upper Arlington

Players to Watch: 2018 UA SG Dane Goodwin, 2018 AEC PG Tre Baumgardner, 2018 AEC PF Jah Bennett, 2018 Upper Arlington G Will Grabovac, 2019 UA SF Max Martz, 2019 AEC SF Dorian Holloway, 2020 UA C Max Mollmann

Game 5

Beechcroft vs. Pickerington North

Players to Watch: 2018 PN SF Jerome Hunter, 2018 BHS SG Jelani Simmons, 2018 PN PF Eli McNamara, 2018 BHS SG Datrey Long, 2018 PN SF Dondre Palmer, 2018 BHS SF Elijah Bishop, 2018 PN PF Ross Ryan, 2018 BHS WG Teon Jennings, 2018 PN PG Ty Wiley, 2018 BHS SF Therron Jennings, 2018 PN PG Corey Baker, 2019 BHS PF Na'elle Simmons, 2021 PN PF Jack Sawyer

With five great matchups on tap, stay tuned to 270 Hoops for more surrounding The Challenge as we get closer to the event.