Division 3 Central 1 + 2 District Finals Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The first playoff preview article I will be writing is about Columbus to be the Division 3 Region 11 Central 1 and 2. These games are at the <a href="https://www.google.com/maps?q=717,E,17th,Avenue,Columbus,43211" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Taft Coliseum</a> in Columbus, Ohio between Bishop Hartley vs Walnut Ridge at 6 pm followed by Bishop Watterson vs DeSales at 8:30 pm on Tuesday, February 25^th.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Central 1 – 6 pm – Bishop Hartley vs Walnut Ridge</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is a game with elite guard play and should expect to be a fast-paced track meet. Both these teams are well coached and know how to get their teams to play at a high level with high levels of intensity. Coach James and Coach Jefferson both have implemented great culture in both of their programs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2759022,"width":"266px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media","align":"left"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/02/Jaden-Calloway-G30.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/02/Jaden-Calloway-G30.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2759022" style="width:266px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bishop Hartley</strong> is ranked 4th in the state according to <a href="https://prephoops.com/2025/02/ohsaa-division-iii-top-10-2-10/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mike Roth</a> because of their 18-5 record with being the champs of a competitive Columbus Central League with some big out-of-conference wins against Big Walnut, Northland, and Pickerington Central. This is due to the play of the Calloway brothers. Junior point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1869632' first='Jakhi' last='Calloway'] and Senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1469018' first='Jaden' last='Calloway'] are the engines of the car for this team. They both play very well together as Jakhi is more of a pass-first point guard that can put the ball in the rim easily when needed. Jaden is a more aggressive guard who hunts his shots more and can score from all three levels. These two are some of the best 1-2 punches in Division 3. Then the role players for this team play hard and make plays that help you win highlighted by their athletic strong forward [player_tooltip player_id='2458397' first='Marcus' last='Hemphill']. Players to also watch out for are junior guards that can shoot it, [player_tooltip player_id='2570793' first='Caleb' last='O'Neil'] and Quentin Easler.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2710328,"width":"186px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media","align":"right"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/Roman-Crosby-G9.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/Roman-Crosby-G9.jpeg?w=818" alt="" class="wp-image-2710328" style="width:186px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Walnut Ridge</strong> is coming in with a 17-6 record and a 2nd-place finish in Columbus City League South but with this record do not count them out of this game. This team is talented, athletic, and plays hard. The Scots can speed you up and score quickly so you can never count them out of a game. The guard's play with highly talented sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2139998' first='Deon' last='Johnson'] and senior point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1432012' first='Bryden' last='Hodge'] makes for a duo of length and athleticism that are tough to score against with the full-court pressure they apply. Then on the other end of the floor, both guards can create their own shot and score.&nbsp; Johnson has more of an ability to hurt you from deep while Hodges provides a threat around the basket. Then the heart and soul of this team is the senior leader [player_tooltip player_id='2204964' first='Roman' last='Crosby'] who can absolutely hoop. He is a strong-built player who can get to any spot on the floor because of his physicality. He makes tough shots around the rim and is the consistent player with this team that has a high floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Central 2 – 8:30 pm – Bishop Watterson vs DeSales</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This will be a game we have seen twice this season in the regular season. These teams have identical records of 17-7 and split the season series as Watterson won the first matchup at home 59-41 and then DeSales won the second match at home 59-46. This is going to be an evenly matched game between teams that are built similarly. You can expect two teams with each having a head to their team that has a great supporting cast. Both teams will slow the game down and execute and when they need to will lean on their star players who can create at a high level for themselves and others.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2759023,"width":"190px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media","align":"left"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/02/Dominic-Theado-G30.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/02/Dominic-Theado-G30.jpeg?w=979" alt="" class="wp-image-2759023" style="width:190px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bishop Watterson</strong> has a +5 score advantage between the matchups in the regular season and I think this can lead to confidence for this team. They know they can beat this team and when you have a team with so many shooters like the Eagles, you need confidence. This team plays hard and executes at a high level. The senior forward who can play inside-out with great playmaking ability [player_tooltip player_id='2052128' first='Dominic' last='Theado'] can straight up win you games. He is a strong player who gets to where he wants to go on the floor. With defenses giving him so much attention he hits the open cutters and teammates every time. He then can knock down a shot and hurt you in the midrange. Guard [player_tooltip player_id='1617848' first='Landon' last='Johnson'] is someone who when he gets going from three-point land can be dangerous.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2743435,"width":"321px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media","align":"right"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/01/PJ-Noles-G24.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/01/PJ-Noles-G24.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2743435" style="width:321px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DeSales</strong> is going to come in this game with a belief of being better than this team with the most recent matchup being a win. DeSales is currently on a 6-game win streak and has not lost since February 1st. They have shown to be a streaky team this season so when they are hot, they are a tough team to beat. The player they lean on most is one of the most consistent players in the state senior [player_tooltip player_id='1432030' first='PJ' last='Noles']. He is one highest ranked unsigned seniors in the state and has played a ton of high school ball. He is the exact player you want on your team in the playoff situation. He creates great for himself with his physicality, strength, and improved shooting. &nbsp;The game I saw DeSales play this year was against a top-ranked Trotwood-Madison squad and Noles was the reason they were in most of the game. He can win games for this team. Alongside senior [player_tooltip player_id='2498898' first='CJ' last='Carter'] and junior [player_tooltip player_id='2444616' first='Daevyn' last='Amankwaah'], you can expect this upperclassman lead team to come out with an urgency to win this game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->