Central Division III District Finals Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The OHSAA Division III central district finals were hosted at Ohio Dominican University and the Columbus Catholic League went 2-0 Vs the Columbus City League South Division in a packed gym. In this article I'll break down my standouts from the action.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3352950"],"_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-69ac4175c2754"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Smith was the most impactful player for Bishop Hartley in the win. Against a team that turns the ball over a lot, Smith occasionally just found himself in the right place at the right time for steals to help start fast break opportunities. On the offensive end, Smith scored off cuts, leakouts and putbacks. A true team effort from the Hawks, they cruise to the regionals where they will face a big test in Steubenville in the regional semis.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2570793"],"_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-69ac4175c27c3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">If I had to use one word to describe O'Neil's performance on Friday night, I'd say opportunistic. O'Neil seemed to just find points for the Hawks whether it was being open for time and space 3-pointers, scoring off steals or plays where the South defense was in rotation and he made himself available near the basket. An efficient scoring game, O'Neil was crucial for the Hawks on Friday night.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3545841"],"_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-69ac4175c280c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A tough loss for Columbus South who took down fellow CCL powerhouse DeSales in the last round. I always expect a gritty effort from the Bulldogs and that's what I saw on Friday night. Their most impressive offensive player was Tuff, who hit a big transition 3 early in the game to give South their last lead of the night. Tuff had a patient finish at the rim using a pump fake to get a defender in the air and showed the body control to handle a bump in mid air on another layup. Expect Tuff to be one of the top guards in the Columbus City League next season when he's a senior.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2445470"],"_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-69ac4175c284f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One of the top athletes in central Ohio, Bellisari had a monster game on both ends of the floor. Showing off his athleticism, Bellisari had some incredible blocked shots and steals. Bellisari also turned defense to offense with multiple buckets off his steals. Late in the game Bellisari had a crucial drop off assist and gave Watterson the lead for good on a layup off a sweet spin move. While his future in college isn't on the hardwood, Bellisari is the engine on the district champs who will go to the Convocation Center confident they can end their season in Dayton.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2761899"],"_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-69ac4175c288f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A winning player, Schuler does things that don't always appear in the box score. I love how Schuler passes the ball out of the post, getting assists and hockey assists from the defense collapsing on him. Getting some key rebounds, Schuler got extra possessions for his team in key moments. A winning player who fits the grind it out style Bishop Watterson plays. Holding Division I football offers, Schuler has played in big time environments in multiple sports for Bishop Watterson.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1984820"],"_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-69ac4175c28cd"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The senior leader for the Scots, Lucas had an unbelievable senior season and has been an incredible multi-sport athlete for Walnut Ridge. Lucas had some key interior buckets for his team but most importantly had some key defensive plays and kept his team believing after they fell behind early in the game. Incredible effort to come back and take the lead in the second half. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->