Columbus Fairgrounds Regional Final Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Fairgrounds hosted three regional finals on Saturday, March 8th as the Division I, II and III regional finals took place as Reynoldsburg, Westerville North and Louisville advanced to the final four. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1540137"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67cf2f7158570"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One of the best rebounders in Ohio's 2025 class, Gross was dominating on the interior by using his physicality, size, strength and strong hands to secure rebounds on both ends of the court and get extra possessions for his team. I also thought Gross threw some excellent passes with quick decision making when Bishop Hartley sent double-teams his way. I expect Gross to hit the ground running at Walsh University but he's looking to capture a state title with the Leopards first.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1869632"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67cf2f71585e1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Calloway was sensational as his shot-making ability from beyond the arc kept Bishop Hartley alive for stretches and even take a multi-possession lead in the third quarter. With tough buzzer-beating 3-pointers to end the first and second quarters, Calloway is a guy you can give the ball to at end of clock situations and he'll get a good look. While Calloway has always been an elite defender who is shifty off the dribble, his improvement as a 3-point shooter has elevated his game to another level. One of the top point guards in Ohio's 2026 class, I expect him to continue to be pursued heavily by regional Division I programs this summer while playing for Nova Village on the UAA circuit.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1480850"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67cf2f715862f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">This game was uncompetitive from the jump as Westerville North continues to dominate the competition in Division II. Perkins was doing whatever he wanted as he set a school record with eight 3-pointers and a game-high 32 points. Incredible shooting display by Perkins which was only possible by Westerville North swarming defensively and playing an unselfish brand of basketball. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1432037"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67cf2f715867a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I believe Saturday was the best game of Nwokolo's career as he flat out dominated on both sides of the court and willed his team to the regional championship. With one of his future college coaches in attendance, you saw the vision Toledo has for the talented wing forward. Nwokolo was knocking down shots on the perimeter, scoring at the rim and even blocked numerous shots on the defensive end of the court. If Nwokolo can continue this level of play, the Raiders can win the state championship.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2125747"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67cf2f71586c3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Another player who had arguably his best game I've seen him play, Reynolds did a fantastic job of finishing at the rim after Olentangy Liberty would break the full court pressure that Reynoldsburg threw at them. With his confidence as a finisher and using his length to score and contest shots the the rim, Reynolds had a big impact on this game. The long-term upside is obvious with Reynolds and I'm expecting a breakout summer from him.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2042519"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67cf2f715870f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">This dude played out of his mind in his last career high school game and shot the cover off the basketball. With some 3-pointers that were 3-4 feet behind the college line, Butterfield was playing with tremendous confidence. His shot to tie the game in the fourth quarter was one of the biggest plays all night and Butterfield continues to impress as a perimeter shot maker. High level performance on the big stage from the senior.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->