REYNOLDSBURG ― Reynoldsburg, last year’s Division I state runner-up, may have been overlooked this season with six losses against a tough schedule.
But in a return meeting with front-running Newark on Feb. 13, this time on their home court, the talented Raiders served notice they will again be a tough out come tournament time.
After hanging a first-ever Final 4 banner before the game, Reynoldsburg (13-6, 12-1) used its length, athleticism and physical play to shut down the Wildcats. It staged a 31-point turnaround for a 64-50 revenge victory that forged a tie atop the Ohio Capital Conference-Buckeye Division.
Both teams have a league game left, the Raiders playing at Pickerington Central and Newark (19-2, 12-1) hosting rival Lancaster on Feb. 20 on senior night. But after losing 66-49 in Jimmy Allen Gymnasium, Reynoldsburg turned the tables, forcing 16 turnovers and limiting the Wildcats to 36% shooting.
“They did a great job defensively and played with a lot of emotion,” Newark coach Jeff Quackenbush said. “They got loose balls that we would normally get. Jake (Quackenbush) couldn’t get clean looks, and I know Ty Gilbert had 16, but none of them were easy. I’m pretty sure 36% was the lowest we’ve been all year.”
Quackenbush was held to 9 points on 3-of-13 shooting (he had only 7 the first time around), and although Gilbert and Tybron Brooks (12 points) combined for 28, they had teamed for 49 in the earlier meeting.
The combination of 6-foot-6 Jordan Bowens and big guards Xavier McKinney (6-4), Rashad Perry (6-3) and Mekhi Roddy (6-1) took away the inside looks Newark got on its home floor and gave the Wildcats problems on the other end.
In a tightly-officiated game, Reynoldsburg sent Brooks to the bench with his second foul just a minute and a half in as the Raiders bolted ahead 14-2 and threw the Newark offense out of whack.
However, even with Gilbert (three fouls), Quackenbush and Brooks (two each) sitting on the bench at the end of the half, the Wildcats scrapped back within 29-24.
Gilbert had a “four-point play,” hitting a 3 while being fouled at the end of the first and Kolton Peterson also connected beyond the arc. Late in the half, Zach Meister made two foul shots and found Alex Irvin-Royster for a layup after the Raiders had led 27-18.
However, Reynoldsburg proved relentless.
The Raiders were up just 31-26 in the third when Perry, Roddy and sub Peyton Hooper all drilled 3s as Reynoldsburg stormed back ahead 40-27. Then, leading 40-33 after Gilbert hit two tough shots in the paint, Roddy, a strong, quick sophomore, took over.
He notched a rebound basket and scored on a fast break, while Bowens stepped out to sink a 3 as the Raiders took a 53-38 after Bowens dunked to open the fourth and were never threatened.
Roddy made 6 of 7 two-pointers (Reynoldsburg was 16 of 24 in close for 67%), grabbed seven rebounds and scored 21 points after hitting for 15 at Newark. His classmate Perry, who had 11 in the loss, worked his way inside for 14 and also snagged five rebounds in the win.
The Wildcats again prevented Ohio University-bound seniors Bowens (11 points, 10 rebounds) and McKinney (9 points after enduring second-half foul trouble) from breaking loose, but the underclassmen starred again.
“Bowens and McKinney were well under their average, but we struggled against Roddy,” coach Quackenbush said. “He was hard to guard.”
The Raiders were only 6 of 23 on 3s for 26%, but finished a solid 22 of 47 overall for 46% and 14 of 19 at the line for 73%. They had only five turnovers against Newark’s typically stellar defense.
Quackenbush fought for 14 rebounds as the Wildcats held a 30-26 edge on the backboards. But with Reynoldsburg challenging nearly every shot inside, they were only 10 of 26 on 2s and 7 of 21 on 3s. Meister and Irvin-Royster each added five rebounds as Newark had 10 on the offensive end, but it wasn’t nearly enough. The Wildcats also made just 9 of 18 free throws.
“For some reason, we were not ourselves,” coach Quackenbush said. “We kind of panicked a little when we got down. When things weren’t easy, we did not react real well, didn’t grind it out and run our offense. In both of our losses, we struggled to react when things weren’t going well. And when you get in the tournament, you’re going to face those situations. We’ll watch the film and get better.”
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This article originally appeared on Newark Advocate: Relentless Reynoldsburg puts clamps on Newark, ties Wildcats for lead
Reporting by Dave Weidig, Newark Advocate / Newark Advocate
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
