Holiday Hoopla: Friday Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Basketball returns to the greater Columbus Convention Center in December as Bleacher Republic is hosting a three day event filled with talent. In this article we'll preview the Friday games for this event.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Columbus West Vs Logan 11:30 A.M.</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The opening event puts a rising Columbus West squad from the Columbus City League against new OCC league member Logan. Jahmere Jackson leads Columbus West as a multi-sport athlete while Logan looks to build off a 2-21 season last year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Columbus Walnut Ridge Vs Cleveland VASJ 1:15 P.M.</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Walnut Ridge returns a talented core that is headlined by [player_tooltip player_id='2532406' first='Deon' last='Johnson']. The Scots have been a dominant force in the Columbus City League and will look to get a win against an up and coming Cleveland VASJ squad. After winning a district title last season, VASJ will look to build upon that success with [player_tooltip player_id='2438772' first='Sean' last='Shenker'] and a few other key returners back in the mix.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Marysville Vs Toledo St John's 3:00 P.M.</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Marysville loses current Ashland Eagle Jason Moore to graduation but returns some size and sharpshooter Cj Collins. They'll face a tough match-up with Toledo St John's as [player_tooltip player_id='1827695' first='Race' last='Kowalczyk'] is one of the top players in Ohio's 2026 class. The Titans also have Sophomore point guard [player_tooltip player_id='2370700' first='Ethan' last='James'] ready to break out and senior [player_tooltip player_id='2225037' first='Jayden' last='Jones'] gives them additional athleticism and defensive talent.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Pickerington Central Vs Saint Edward 4:45 P.M.</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Tigers are a historic program in central Ohio with numerous Division I talents that have played for their program. Current Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2288381' first='Landon' last='Evans'] is next on that long list as the 2027 prospect has a couple of offers already. The Snyder twins will also help the Tigers take care of the ball and move the rock in the half-court. They'll be met with a Saint Edward program out of northeast Ohio that has been arguably the most successful program in Ohio under Eric Flannery. 2026 prospect [player_tooltip player_id='2317204' first='Bryan' last='Vlosich'] is an easy pick for breakout star but the Eagles have a few seniors who are hungry to get some playing time and a couple 2027 forwards that will add to their depth as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Bishop Hartley Vs Kettering Fairmont 6:30 P.M.</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bishop Hartley is led by [player_tooltip player_id='1469018' first='Jaden' last='Calloway'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1869632' first='Jakhi' last='Calloway'], a pair of guards who both get after it defensively and can slash to the rim. Jaden is committed to Gannon while Jakhi has earned numerous Division I interest due to his improved shot-making ability from the perimeter this summer. That combo gives the Hawks one of the best back-court duos in the state this season. Add in transfer [player_tooltip player_id='2458397' first='Marcus' last='Hemphill'] and Bishop Hartley is a legit threat to contend in Division III. They'll face off with a Kettering Fairmont squad that has performed well in the GWOC over the past few years. [player_tooltip player_id='2323147' first='Evan' last='Gentile'] returns as the leading scorer for Fairmont and a name to watch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Columbus Northland Vs Richmond Heights 8:15 P.M.</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The most star power on Friday is the finale match-up between Northland and Richmond Heights. Northland has 2026 guard duo [player_tooltip player_id='2476431' first='Diante' last='James'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2113258' first='Jaden' last='Shoultz'] alongside [player_tooltip player_id='1503915' first='Nehemiah' last='McMorris'] in the paint. Richmond Heights will rely on guard play with their 2025 trio of Division I commits in [player_tooltip player_id='1432015' first='Dorian' last='Jones'], [player_tooltip player_id='1432006' first='De'Erick' last='Barber'] and DeMarris Winters Jr. That Spartans trio has never lost a playoff game and have been in countless high profile games, so expect them to be ready for this match-up.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->