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Newark 58, Big Walnut 50 - Prospect Scouting Report

By Zach Fleer, 12/21/18, 10:30PM EST

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Newark extended its OCC winning streak to 23 games on Friday

SUNBURY, Ohio -- Entering Friday's matchup at Big Walnut with a 22-game winning streak in the OCC-Capital, Newark had to deal with an upset-minded Big Walnut for 32 minutes.

While Big Walnut started off hot and led 17-9 after a quarter of play, Newark quickly rebounded, outscoring the Golden Eagles by 16 points the rest of the way to take home a 58-50 victory.

Newark responded from the first quarter deficit by going on a 12-3 run to begin the second frame, taking a 20-19 lead through the first three minutes. Big Walnut did not back down, taking a 24-23 lead into halftime.

Having success by pressuring the ball and forcing Big Walnut into turnovers in the first half, Newark did just that to begin the third quarter. Forcing two turnovers to start the second half, Newark went on a 5-0 run to take a 28-24 lead.

From that point forward, Big Walnut did not regain the lead ever again, as anytime the Golden Eagles looked to go on a run, Newark responded by hitting a big shot or taking a charge.

Newark welcomed the coming out party of junior guard Bobby Crenshaw, who put an exclamation point on Friday's win with a powerful alley-oop slam in the third quarter. 

Three Newark players scored in double figures, led by Crenshaw's 16 points. Crenshaw led all scorers and gave the Wildcats the type of scoring off the bounce to break down a tough half court Golden Eagles defense.

Senior post Keshawn Heard added 15 points and eight rebounds, despite playing basically half a game due to foul trouble. Junior wing Jaden Woods added all 10 of his points in the second half, serving as a great secondary scorer for the Wildcats.

Sophomore wing Drew Ballinger had another strong showing, adding nine points, six rebounds and two steals. Ballinger has been one of the better stock rising sophomores in the OCC and gives Newark a floor spacer who plays both ends with zero fear. 

Fellow sophomore Kade Bafford played the entire game at the point guard position, adding six points, four rebounds and five assists. Bafford is a high IQ two-way guard that played the best perimeter defense of any player on the floor on Friday. 

Newark enjoyed a 26-14 advantage on the glass, forcing Big Walnut into plenty of one and done possessions in the second half. 

For the host Golden Eagles, junior forward Kegan Hienton had a stellar game, finishing with 14 points, four rebounds, three assists and two blocks. Hienton gave Big Walnut a strong scoring presence in the post, scoring eight of his 14 in the third quarter to keep the Golden Eagles in striking distance.

Senior forward Carson Becker added 11 points, while senior guard Brody Lawhun pitched in 10 points and three assists. Getting zero points from its bench on Friday, Big Walnut did not have the firepower to overcome a young Newark team that plays with great discipline and defensive intensity. 


Bobby Crenshaw (6'0 WG / Newark / 2020): Crenshaw impressed greatly on Friday, showing off his high-level athleticism and playing his most confident performance as of late. An athletic 6-foot guard that plays to his strengths, Crenshaw gave Newark a great boost off the bounce, completing a couple straight-line drives at the rim. On the defensive perimeter, Crenshaw helped Newark run and trap at times, helping force several important turnovers that crushed Big Walnut. Crenshaw completed two back door alley-oop plays at the rim, showing great lift and body control in the air. While Crenshaw is still working on becoming a reliable shooter, he has some impressive athletic tools, has embraced the defensive principles that Jeff Quackenbush instills in his teams and will no doubt continue to improve. 

Kegan Hienton (6'4 PF / Big Walnut / 2020): In our first viewing of Hienton, we came away impressed with the 6-foot-4 forward. A strong interior player who showed off good footwork and patience in the post, Hienton is a reliable scorer from 14 feet and in. Using his size to his advantage, Hienton finished two hook shots over his right shoulder, while knocking down a mid-range jumper from the right baseline and finishing any layup attempt he had inside. Hienton has good hands, defends size very well and holds his ground. The only real interior option on the Big Walnut roster, Hienton did a good job of handling Newark's suffocating pressure and did not get sped up at any point on Friday. 

Kade Bafford (6'0 PG / Newark / 2021): Any time a freshman can start at the point on a Quackenbush coached team, that says a ton about that freshman. For Bafford, that was the case last winter and he has continued to improve as a sophomore. Playing a great game on both ends, Bafford was the straw that broke the camel's back for Big Walnut, as he always seemed to be pressuring the ball and stopping Golden Eagles ball handlers in their tracks, while coming over to take two charges from the weak side. Bafford is a smart and composed player that can make open threes and handle pressure. Best on the defensive perimeter, Bafford moves his feet well, has the strength to disturb opposing ball handlers and is the type of pesky defender that gives Newark the identity it has on the defensive end. 

Keshawn Heard (6'7 PF / Newark / 2019): While only playing a little over 16 minutes due to foul trouble, Heard was productive when he was on the floor, finishing with 15 points and eight rebounds. The West Georgia commit finished well around the basket, attacked the offensive glass for a few second chance opportunities and put the game out of reach late in the fourth quarter with a three from the right wing. Heard is the type of post threat that gives Newark a great advantage on the glass, while also being one of few seniors on a Wildcats team that is only growing and improving. 

Brody Lawhun (6'0 G / Big Walnut / 2019): Lawhun started off hot on Friday, knocking down two pretty looking three pointers to help Big Walnut build an early lead. The Muskingum commit was strong in nearly all areas, finishing with 10 points, five rebounds and three assists. Showing off a reliable handle, Lawhun had a solid game for a Golden Eagles team that should be able to compete at the top of the OCC-Capital. 

Jaden Woods (6'4 WF / Newark / 2020): In our second viewing of Woods this season, Friday's showing was a lot like the first one. Making his biggest impact in the second half, Woods showed off why he is one of the best juniors in the OCC-Capital, scoring at the rim and giving the Wildcats a great boost on the defensive glass. Woods is a rangy wing that plays hard and doesn't do too much, filling his role as a hustle and energy guy well for Newark. 

Nathan Montgomery (5'10 PG / Big Walnut / 2019): Big Walnut's primary ball handler, Montgomery showed off solid quickness and play making ability. Has a tight handle that he uses to change direction and get by opposing defenders. Was one of few Big Walnut players who could get by Newark's perimeter defenders, as he created a few opportunities for Big Walnut, who struggled to knock down perimeter shots in the second half. 

Drew Ballinger (6'2 WG / Newark / 2021): Seeing Ballinger for the second time now, we were impressed once again with the 6-foot-2 wing. A skilled player who plays with zero fear and worlds of confidence, Ballinger has clearly bought into Newark's culture, playing with great toughness on both ends of the floor. Ballinger sealed his defenders on the defensive glass, boxing out very well and helping Newark force Big Walnut into plenty of one and done possessions. On the offensive end, Ballinger is a long and rangy wing that can absolutely shoot it from all over. Look for Ballinger to keep developing, as he has a chance to grow into a standout player in the OCC within the next two years. 

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