Jordie Bowens gets up in traffic and converts as the Raiders punch their ticket to the Big Dance. (Press Pros Feature Photos by Brian Bayless)
Toledo-bound Toby Nwokolo scored a career-high 33 points as Reynoldsburg wiped out a six-point deficit in the final 70 seconds of the first overtime and went on to capture the program’s first final four berth.
Columbus, OH – Some of Reynoldsburg’s loudest partisans – and there were plenty at the Ohio Expo Center’s Taft Coliseum Saturday – likely had lumps in their throats watching the Raiders fall into a six-point deficit to Olentangy Liberty with just 72 seconds left in the first of two overtimes of a Division I regional championship game for the ages.
Kurtz Bros. has Central Ohio locations: Dublin, Westerville, Sunbury, I-71/Frank Road.
“It was looking a little rough for a minute,” Reynoldsburg senior forward Jordan Fisher said. “But once we gathered ourselves and remembered how hard we practice every day for these moments, I think something just clicked.”
Veteran central Ohio columnist Steve Blackledge writes the OCC and sports at large for Press Pros.
Attacking like piranhas in blood-filled waters, the Raiders used their breathtaking athleticism on both ends of the floor to rattle Liberty and come away with a 98-91 victory and secure its first trip to the final four.
Against a murderous schedule, Reynoldsburg (25-1) hadn’t trailed by double-digits all season until Saturday when Liberty (21-5) grabbed a 31-21 lead midway through the second quarter.
That, however, was not a big deal for the Raiders, who can turn up the heat with its pressure and score in bunches.
The biggest challenge, however, came in the first overtime as Liberty scored the first three baskets and took an 81-75 lead on a basket by Jeffrey Reynolds with 1:19 remaining.
The Raiders never backed down despite a late momentum shift toward the Patriots. If they weren’t doing damage from behind the arc, they were driving hard to the glass, even if outnumbered.
“The big part I remember was the kid missed the free throw that could have made it a three-possession game,” Reynoldsburg coach Andy Moore said. “I don’t think our confidence ever waned. I haven’t seen our kids panic all year. It was just a matter of continuing to do what we do.”
Fisher raced downcourt for a quick basket at the 1:12 mark. Jordan Bowens stole the inbounds and scored to make it 81-79.
A third Patriot turnover in a row allowed Bowens to score on a dunk and tie it with 27 seconds left.
Liberty had another chance but Christian Moulton lost the ball in the lane maneuvering for the final shot.
“That was really disappointing,” Patriots coach Greg Nossaman said. “Things got a little crazy when they pressed us full-court and some things happened. That’s about all I can say. They cause you to make mistakes with the way they play, and we weren’t very secure with the ball in some instances.”
Logan Services, in Dayton, Cincinnati, an Columbus, is a proud sponsor of area sports on Press Pros.
In the second OT, Reynoldsburg got out to an eight-point lead and never wavered as the final two minutes were spent shooting free throws.
Jordan Fisher gets up and over Liberty defender Parker Van Engelenhoven for two.
“We went to our diamond full-court pressure and it hurt them,” Moore said. “Our length, athleticism and quickness did the job. That’s how we play. We wanted to change the tempo and we achieved that. I never would have dreamed this game would get in the 90s the way they play, and we play for that matter.”
Toledo signee Toby Nwokolo had a career night with 33 points to pace the Raiders. He came in averaging roughly 13.
“It was just plain grit that got us this win,” Nwokolo said. “I think the ability to come back like that in overtime was a testament to our character.”
Moore added, “Toby played huge for us. He made some big buckets down the stretch. He’s a good shooter but not a knockdown shooter, and he hit four threes tonight for us and they came at big moments.”
Fisher and Xavier McKinney added 18 points each, Bowens 15 and Damon Griffin 14 for Reynoldsburg, which came in scoring 74.6 points per game but had been limited to 57 and 60 in tough wins over Hilliard Bradley and Dublin Coffman.
Want a greener, healthier lawn? We can help. Contact Weedman USA at 614-733-3747 or go online to Weedman.com.
“They shot lights out … they hit a ton of threes to extend the lead,” Nossaman said.
Nick Butterfield (25 pts) connects on a second critical three-point shot during overtime, but the talented Raiders were just too much down the stretch.
Just as important, Reynoldsburg blocked 11 shots on the night, which is especially impressive considering the Patriots are one of the biggest lineups in the area at 6-9, 6-7, 6-5, 6-5.
“We make history every time we step on the floor,” said Fisher, one of three Ohio University signees or commits for the Raiders. “Right now, I’m so excited I don’t know what to think or say. I’ve dreamed of a moment like this since I was a kid in the basement shooting on the Nerf hoop. It’s surreal.”
Nick Butterfield had 25 points, Northwestern-bound Tyler Kropp 21 along with 15 rebounds, Reynolds 20 and Parker Van Engelenhoven 16 for Liberty, which came yielding just 49.6 points per game.
Reynoldsburg came in ranked No. 3 statewide by MaxPreps.com and Liberty was No. 4 and the matchup sure lived up to that billing.
“Despite our record, we’ve had some turmoil and some ups and downs along the road,” Moore said. “This really hasn’t sunk in yet. It might not for a few days.”
Aptus Wealth Management proudly sponsors the Buckeyes and Central Ohio sports on Press Pros.