PICKERINGTON, Ohio -- In the finale of The Challenge at Pickerington North, two top-ranked teams went head-to-head. With No. 1 (D1) Pickerington North (8-2) hosting No. 1 (D2) Beechcroft (8-1), the Panthers held home court behind 29 points from Indiana signee Jerome Hunter in a 67-55 win. 

Despite going into the second quarter with a 17-10 deficit, Pickerington North battled back from down double digits early in the period. Outscoring Beechcroft 57-38 in the final three periods, Pickerington North relied on a huge performance from Hunter, who was the impossible matchup for the Cougars.

The 6-foot-7 forward Hunter, who eclipsed 1,000 career points on Saturday, made a living at the free-throw line on Saturday, making 12 attempts at the stripe. Getting Beechcroft into foul trouble in the second half, Pickerington North took its first double-digit lead at the end of the third quarter, using a 23-12 surge to go into the final frame with a 50-40 lead.

In the final period, Beechcroft was not able to get within eight points, as Hunter closed out the game at the line, helping Pickerington North hand Beechcroft its first loss of the season. Pickerington North's size and physicality helped keep an excellent offensive rebounding Beechcroft team off the glass to limit second chance points.

While Beechcroft opted to go into a zone to slow down the Panther offense, Pickerington North was able to continually get the ball inside to Hunter, freshman forward Jack Sawyer and senior forward Eli McNamara. The play of senior point guard Ty Wiley was also key on Saturday, as Pickerington North limited Beechcroft to a season-low eight steals.

Hunter's 29 points were a game-high, as the senior forward added seven rebounds, four assists and three steals. Playing a great game on both sides of the floor, Hunter looked like the clear cut No. 1 prospect in Central Ohio that he has been for the last two years.

Wiley added 12 points and four assists, while McNamara and senior guard Red Potts each finished with eight points. Sawyer, who is the most physically ready freshman that we have ever seen, added seven points, three rebounds, two assists and two steals. Senior wing Dondre Palmer finished with four points for the Panthers.

For Beechcroft, senior wing and Youngstown State signee Jelani Simmons had an excellent showing, finishing with 18 points. A multi-level scorer who has really evolved as a finisher in traffic, Simmons made several high wire plays to help Beechcroft establish an early lead.

Senior guard Teon Jennings added 13 points and five rebounds, setting the table early for Beechcroft with nine points. Jennings' ability to knock down threes, grab offensive rebounds and defend multiple positions will be critical for the Cougars going forward.

Senior guard Datrey Long finished with 13 points and three assists, while senior forward Therron Jennings added six points. Coming off the bench, senior wing Elijah Bishop totaled five points and three steals in extended minutes.

With the win, Pickerington North moves on to another proving ground type game on Tuesday at No. 3 (D1) Dublin Coffman (11-0). For Beechcroft, the Cougars will get back to its winning ways on Tuesday vs. International.