skip navigation

Olentangy Liberty 71, Westerville North 63 - Prospect Scouting Report

By John Stampe, 12/22/18, 12:45AM EST

Share

Olentangy Liberty senior Ben Roderick went for 32 points on Friday

POWELL, Ohio -- The Olentangy Liberty Patriots (4-1; 3-0) overcame a sluggish first half to have a dynamic third quarter and put away the Westerville North Warriors (3-3; 0-3) at home Friday night behind the outstanding play of 6-foot-6 senior Ben Roderick who led the way for the Patriots with 32 points, eight rebounds and six assists, including six consecutive game-clinching free throws down the stretch. 

The unsung hero of the night for the Pats was hot-shooting sophomore guard Henry Hinkle who ended with 18 points after his third quarter three-point barrage that would give Liberty the boost they needed.

The Warriors, who dropped to 0-3 in league play, still have plenty of talent in their line-up this season, and early on it looked liked the Warriors would be more than happy to force the tempo early jumping out to an early first quarter lead behind point guard Jeremiah Keene who is the engine that makes North go this season. Keene is a factor on both ends of the court for the Warriors and may be the speediest guard in the area. Offensively he continually penetrated the Liberty defense with his blistering speed and utilizing a one-handed right-handed runner that he can shoot off either foot. Not a pure shooter, Keene hits enough jump shots not to be ignored, but he does the majority of his damage in transition off of defensive transition baskets he creates with his quick hands. Keene would make 12 field goals including one trey, while adding eight free throws on nine attempts for a game-high 33 points.

The Warriors returned a formidable inside-outside duo this season that included Keene (6-foot) who is transitioning from the off-guard to point guard this season and center Phillip Alston (6-foot-7) who scored enough on the inside last season to keep opposition defenses honest, while struggling with foul trouble often due to often being badly outmanned in the post last season.  The Warriors lost a lot of speed and experience from last year, but the development of post player Charles Perkins ( 10 points) and off guard Chase Perkins (11 points) have given the Warriors two more legitimate scorers and have made the team competitive even if they aren’t as deep as last season. Alston who would again foul out in the fourth quarter, would end with six points.

Westerville North saw their early lead evaporate at the end of the first quarter as the Patriots got even with the visitors 15 all after eight minutes. North got 13 of the first 15 points from their backcourt.  Liberty seniors Roderick, forward Nick Nakasian and guard Mitchell Kershner would score all 15 points for the Pats in the opening quarter.

The third quarter was the worst of the contest for the Patriots who saw their 15-15 first quarter draw, followed by an 18-8 drubbing in the second period behind the play of Keene and Charles Perkins who used their penetration and dish game to be responsible for 15 of the 18 North points. Keene’s 13 point half led the way with Charles Perkins adding nine points to jump their lead to 33-23 at half. Roderick, who is a top mid-major Division I recruit or better, scored ten of the Patriots 23 first half points and showed no signs of being even marginally slowed after a season-ending injury his junior year.


Henry Hinkle

The opening minutes of the second half would see a huge momentum change as the six-foot lead guard Hinkle would go “into the zone” for the Patriots, by getting some good but nevertheless contested looks at treys early. Despite the Warriors' best efforts, Hinkle hit four of four treys and made one free throw (scoring 13 points) during a dynamic 15-4 run coming out of the gate to grab a 38-37 lead with five minutes remaining in the third quarter.

The Patriots would start to lean on their stud forward Roderick, who would convert a layup, make a trey and add a tip-in basket to help Liberty battle to a 51-48 lead, before he dished a quarter-ending assist to Hinkle who buried his fifth trey of the quarter to give the Pats a 54-48 lead after three quarters.

The Warriors expended a lot of energy behind the blazing play of Keene early in the final period, with his defense keying an 11-5 opening run by North to forge a 59-59 tie. Keene would get another steal and have the chance to take the lead as he went to the line with a one-plus-one opportunity. He missed the front end, and the Patriots would make North pay when Roderick used a sterling baseline drive from the left wing on Alston and make a lay-up to jump to a 61-59 Liberty lead. The Warriors followed with a turnover by Keene and a charge by Alston when having chances to pull even.

Hinkle and Nakasian would both convert a pair of free throws to give the Pats a 65-59 lead with one minute remaining, but two layups by Keene would close the lead to 65-61. However the final minute would be owned by Roderick who would make six out of six free throws down the stretch to give Liberty the 71-63 final score.

The Patriots were led by Roderick with 32 points, Hinkle who added 18 points, Nakasian with 12 points and Kershner’s 8 points. Kershner suffered what appeared to be a serious ankle sprain in the final period. Liberty enjoyed a 12-2 advantage on three pointers, as Hinkle greatly helped that effort with his third quarter barrage.

The Warriors got 33 points from Keene, while Charles and Chase Perkins added 11 and 10 points respectively.

The Patriots move the ball well on offense despite not really having a true point guard, running a free-flowing motion offense that requires everyone to handle the rock. Roderick is a go-to high school star and Hinkle can shoot lights out, while Nakasian is a do-everything wing who can leap, rebound and shoot for the Patriots and once fully-recovered from a recent hand-injury should play his best ball later this season. Kershner gives the Patriots a strong wing who can drive, shoot and mix it up on defense. His prolonged absence due to the ankle twist could be costly for the Liberty attack.

Recent News

Subscribe to 270 Hoops Mailing List!

Email Address:
Favorite High School:
First Name:
Last Name:
Subscribe