Greater Columbus high school basketball: 5 things we learned from Jan. 29-Feb. 4
The calendar turned from January to February on Thursday, and then the high school basketball season turned a corner of its own.
Central Ohio’s last undefeated boys team lost Saturday night when top-ranked Olentangy Orange fell to Pickerington Central 59-56. It was a rematch of last year’s Division I regional final, won by Central on the way to a state runner-up finish, and it also makes the Tigers (11-7) the only team to knock off the Pioneers (17-1) since Feb. 10, 2023.
On the girls side, Africentric and Centennial locked up spots in the City League championship game Saturday at East. Olentangy, Olentangy Liberty and Pickerington Central won OCC titles in the Cardinal, Central and Buckeye divisions, respectively.
And, of course, the district tournament draws were Sunday, although postseason play does not begin for two weeks.
Here are five things we learned this past week:
1. Balanced Big Walnut girls near league title
With junior Denza Allen (13.3 points, 6.1 rebounds, 1.6 blocks) and freshman Remy Largent (12.9 points, 3.0 assists, 3.0 steals, 2.7 rebounds) among the catalysts, the Golden Eagles (17-2, 11-1 OCC-Capital) are riding a 16-game winning streak and could clinch a tie for the OCC-Capital championship Tuesday against Westerville North.
Close wins over Watterson (45-44) and Westerville South (36-33) helped kick-start Big Walnut’s run after consecutive losses to league foe Canal Winchester and 2023 Division I regional runner-up Marysville.
“From the beginning we have talked about playing with grit and energy and (playing) together,” second-year coach Carey Largent said. “We've gotten better as the year has gone with both bringing consistent energy levels from the tip and maintaining or even boosting energy when we've found ourselves down. Communication has been a big part of that.
“We've also been playing more together and understanding each other's strengths and playing to those. This has led to better shot selection and overall efficiency.”
Big Walnut went 15-8 in Largent’s first season at her alma mater. She scored 1,152 career points from 1994-98 and played at Kent State and the College of Charleston.
Seniors Teagan Ng (7.3 points, 5.1 rebounds) and Maddy Stumpf (8.1 points, 8.8 rebounds, 2.3 steals) and sophomore Lexi Federer (7.8 points, 4.6 assists, 3.5 rebounds, 2.5 steals) round out the starters.
2. Long-range shooter Dunn powers Canal Winchester girls
The Indians (15-5, 10-2) are enjoying their seventh winning season in eight years and trying for a fourth consecutive Division I district semifinal appearance despite having just one senior, but that senior is enjoying a memorable season of her own.
Kay Dunn has been a dependable 3-point shooter, making 49 through 20 games, including 13 on Jan. 23 against Franklin Heights.
Her 13 3-pointers were one short of the state record for a girls game. Three players have made 14, including Liberty graduate Caitlin Splain in 2021.
“So exciting,” Dunn said of that night. “I’ve been having a pretty good season overall.”
A guard, Dunn averages 13 points.
Canal Winchester still has a chance to win the OCC-Capital, but would have to win out and get help. The Indians are seeking their first district final appearance since 2020.
3. Watterson girls lock up CCL title
After finishing second to DeSales last season, Watterson clinched the league championship Thursday with a 40-37 victory against its longtime rival.
The Eagles (13-6, 3-0) led only once – on Sophie Ziel’s game-winning 3-pointer with 2.1 seconds remaining. Her basket also gave Watterson its third CCL title in coach Sam Davis’ four seasons.
“I went to Watterson, so I’m a little biased, but it means a lot to our kids to win the league,” Davis said. “The CCL is special. It always has been.”
Ziel, who was averaging a team-best 17 points through 18 games, connected on four 3s and finished with a game-high 18 points on Thursday. Cameron Sparks was averaging 7.9 points and a team-high 6.7 rebounds.
“It definitely makes it more special because (DeSales) beat us twice last year and won the CCL,” Ziel said.
Kenyetietta Quinn averages a team-best 12.1 points for DeSales (14-5, 2-2), ahead of Bella Brader (9.6) and Jordyn Miller (8.4). Quinn and Bridget Womber are tied for the team lead in rebounding at 7.7 per game.
“Our bigs have been playing better this year,” fifth-year coach Erick Herzberg said. “We go out there with a 5-11 (Jessica Salyer), 6-foot (Quinn) and 6-1 (Womber). That’s nice for us. We have a real good chance in the tournament of making some noise and doing some damage.”
4. Mundy, Knostman leading Whetstone boys
Although it has a losing record, Whetstone has shown steady progress, according to second-year coach Troy Mundy.
The Braves (4-14, 4-8 City League-North) defeated visiting Beechcroft 58-56 on Friday, avenging a 70-54 loss to the Cougars on Jan. 9.
“We’ve had a long year,” Mundy said. “We’ve had a lot of ups and downs. Our record doesn’t really say it, but we’re growing right in front of our eyes. ... We’ve been in a lot of close games and have come up short.”
At 28, Mundy has provided a different perspective for his players, according to 6-5 junior guard Noah Knostman. Mundy, a 2013 graduate of Gahanna Lincoln, played college basketball at Wittenberg and Ohio Christian.
“He’s relatable,” Knostman said. “He’s been in all these experiences. He was just playing (in college) a few years ago. It’s really nice to have someone that can see what you’re seeing out there.”
Knostman has done a bit of everything for the Braves, averaging team highs of 24.0 points, 8.0 rebounds and 4.5 assists.
“Noah is growing up,” Mundy said. “He’s a great leader, a great student, a great person. He’s all about the team.”
The Braves went 11-12 (8-6 City-North) in Mundy’s first season, but lost starters Patrick Knostman and Alejandro Soto to graduation. Patrick and Noah Knostman are brothers.
5. Harvest Prep boys earn another league title
Competing in its final season in the MSL-Cardinal, Harvest Prep locked up its 11th consecutive league title by beating Zanesville Rosecrans 70-42 on Saturday.
The Warriors (15-4) finished 8-0 in the league. Because of an agreement at the start of the season with other schools in the MSL-Cardinal, Harvest Prep played one round of league games while the other teams played two.
“It was good to be at home for our seniors to be able to play for a league title,” coach David Dennis Sr. said. “We have people who buy in – buy into the system, buy into our team, buy into what we believe in – and then play hard.”
The Warriors, who will play an independent schedule beginning next season, lost in a Division III state semifinal last winter.
Through 18 games, Harvest Prep has been led offensively by senior guard Adonus Abrams (14.2 points) and junior guard Brandon Roddy (13.0). Roddy has returned from an ankle injury suffered in a 72-54 loss at Westerville South on Dec. 28.
“We’re peaking at the right time,” Dennis said. “We’re playing solid defense and we’re scoring points as well, and now they believe in each other.”
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Central Ohio high school hoops: 5 things we learned Jan. 29-Feb. 4
