It was only a matter of time after the opening tip for the Panthers to take control and put to rest any doubt about their earlier loss to the Eagles. (Press Pros Feature Photos by Logan Gapen)
While avenging their only previous OCC Ohio Division loss, the Panthers outscored the Eagles 34-5 over the final two periods.
Pickerington, OH – During a two-week period in early January, Pickerington North endured a season of tough love with an eye on producing dividends down the road.
It seems like ancient history since the Panthers lost a close Ohio Capital Conference Ohio Division game to New Albany on Jan. 14 for their third consecutive loss, particularly after what took place during the rematch between those programs Friday night.
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North, with an eye on its first league championship since 2019 and sixth overall, proved that the extra work it put in prior to the 10-game winning streak it currently rides was well worth it.
Veteran central Ohio columnist Jarrod Ulrey writes the OCC and sports at large for Press Pros
By crushing the Eagles 58-23 on their home court, the Panthers avenged a 52-48 loss to New Albany on Jan 11 and improved to 17-3 overall and a league-best 8-1 that already has given them the title with one game to play.
“We went on a three-game losing streak, and we had to run a lot because we were out of shape,” senior guard Arness Lawson said. “If we play bad, we have to run it off in practice, doing a lot of ups and downs. We just came together, talked to each other, had our own group chat, and went over everything we needed to. I haven’t won (a league title) since I’ve been in high school, so it means a lot. It’s a big accomplishment for us.”
New Albany, which dropped to 16-4 overall and 6-3 in the league, scored the game’s first five points before back-to-back dunks by Lawson.
That set the tone for the defensive pressure and full-court attack North used to wrap up the championship, which is its third under coach Jason Bates.
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Favor McFadden avoids New Albany defender Jackson Thorne with a reverse layup attempt.
Lawson, who finished with 15 points, has been a huge part of the breakthrough. In addition to averaging 21 points, the Duquesne-signee became the program’s all-time leading scorer in late January and has 1,463 heading into a nonleague game Tuesday at home against sister school Pickerington Central.
“It’s been a while (since we won a league title),” Bates said. “I was telling Arness since the summer since I knew he was going to get the (all-time scoring) record that (his) legacy is getting on one of those (league-title) banners. He was locked in. I thought our rotation was great tonight, our energy was great tonight, and I was just proud of them. We’re ready for the tournament.”
New Albany junior guard Caden Kistner hit a 3-pointer to open the second quarter as his team took a 13-12 lead, but Lawson scored the final three points of the second quarter to give North a 24-18 advantage at the break.
The Eagles, who are seeded second for the Division II district tournament and are 36-9 in two seasons under coach Tim Casey, proceeded to miss their first six shots of the third quarter and were outscored 20-4 in the period.
Mario Mattucci was menaced all night long, failing to score under the defensive pressure of Pickerington North’s Favor McFadden.
“We didn’t play very well in the first half and we were down six,” Casey said. “In the first five possessions (of the second half), we had shots at the basket and missed all of them. We just kind of deviated and tried to make plays individually after that instead of collectively.
“It’s a good group. We’ve got to do a little soul searching and we’ve got to own it as a group. … But would you trade an OCC title for a state title? I would. You can’t forget about it, but you have to own it and ask what you have to do better. Same thing from our coaching staff. You’ve got to take individual responsibility, otherwise it can pull you apart.”
The Panthers scored the final two points of the third quarter and the first 14 of the fourth period, including three-pointers from seniors Favor McFadden and Mykell Murphy.
McFadden also was tasked with guarding New Albany junior Marco Mattucci, who did not score.
New Albany’s Miles Jackson dials up a jumper.
“We knew this was going to be a tough one because they’ve beaten us the last three (times we’ve played them),” Bates said. “The first game we played them, that was our third of three games in a row that we lost, so we were still figuring ourselves out defensively. At the end (of the first meeting), they hit two huge threes and that shifted it. They make free throws, they make shots, and they execute very well.
“This game I wanted to play a little bit faster, know your matchup and lock in on your matchup. We put Favor on Marco Mattucci because Favor is a little bigger. I like his length and he’s guarded some of the best in our league so I thought he would be up for the challenge.”
New Albany, which entered averaging eight turnovers but committed nine in the first half, were held to one point in the fourth quarter. Kistner led with seven points overall.
Lawson and junior J.R. Bates both scored 15 and McFadden finished with 13 for the Panthers, who are the sixth seed for the Division I district tournament.
“At halftime in the locker room, our coaches were just like, ‘Keep the intensity,’” J.R. Bates said. “We were up six going into the second half and just trusted my teammates and knew they were going to make all the right plays. I wanted to make more of an impact because in the first game (against New Albany) I didn’t do much.
“I love my teammates and I love how we’re playing right now. We’re going to make a great run in the tournament and hopefully states. That’s the goal.”
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