MOUNT VERNON ― Everyone knows that Newark boys basketball suffered key graduation losses from a league champion and regional runnerup team.
Although it’s only June, the Wildcats are already showing signs that this is not a rebuilding year.
Competing June 20 in the Mount Vernon Nazarene University Shootout, at Ariel Arena and Mount Vernon High School’s Energy Fieldhouse, Newark dispatched Thomas Worthington, former state champ Massillon Jackson and Pickerington North by double digits.
“We’ve definitely gotten better on our help defense, with the energy on the team and making shots,” said sophomore De’Mario Galloway, one of several new faces blending in with returning starters Tybron Brooks and Zach Meister. “And if we don’t make shots, we get it back on defense. We still think we’re right there with everyone else.”
Johnstown, which will defend its Licking County League-Cardinal Division title in a few months, sandwiched a win against regional finalist Jonathan Alder at MVNU with losses to a pair of athletic, pressing district champs in North College Hill and Africentric. But the Johnnies are currently without injured senior sharpshooter Ace Lowery, and didn’t have guard Abdi Shidad against Africentric.
“We improved on the day, even though we came out flat against Africentric,” said senior Liam Deering, who will again provide the Johnnies with size, shooting, defense and rebounding. “We came out with so much energy against Jonathan Alder. We won’t face teams like that (North College Hill and Africentric) in the LCL, but we’ll run into teams like them in the tournament.”
Newark finished strong against both Massillon Jackson and Pickerington North during the 16-minute halves, outscoring the Polar Bears 31-17 and Panthers 22-11 during the final periods. The Wildcats got contributions from Galloway, classmate Caden Jones, 6-foot-9 Branson DeVault, senior Demetrius Sneed who has returned to basketball and Cyril Kamara, a foreign exchange student from Liberia who showed physical, aggressive play on the inside.
As expected, the dynamic Brooks led the scoring and Meister showed versatility and crashed the offensive boards. Galloway helped set the defensive tone with tenacious play out front.
“That’s something they’re wanting from me, and that’s something I can provide,” Galloway said. “Knowing we’re one of the smaller teams, we have to play as hard as we can. Just trying to get better from the day before.”
Meister said Galloway has picked up his role well.
“We’re still finding our identity. We’re not very big, so we have to be the aggressor,” he said. “Take it to teams. Today, our focus was really on offensive rebounds.”
The Wildcats have played at Cincinnati Princeton, a lot of games at Ohio University in a three-day event and just were at Ohio Dominican. Next weekend, they’ll be at Midwest Live at Cedar Point.
“At OU with two nights, it gave them great experience just being around each other, especially with a young team,” coach Jeff Quackenbush said. “We know we’re going to struggle to score at times, so our defense has to be big for us. Right now, it’s defense and playing hard, getting in the right spots, and the offense will come.”
Against Africentric, Johnstown finally found its footing after a slow start, solving the pressure, making some shots and showcasing its depth. The Johnnies have always relied on defense and sharp passing, and will look to seniors Deering and Will Taylor, who both can play inside and out, for leadership.
“It’s helping develop the young guys, and just the leading, day to day,” Deering said.
The Johnnies have been competing in various tournaments, including twice at Ohio Dominican, and coach Kyle Higgins likes the versatility of his roster.
“Today, the press hurt us some, but we have a lot of younger guys, and it was good for them to play against that,” he said. “Overall, we’ve seen realy good competition, and the biggest thing is playing against different styles. Noah Bonito is a big guy, 6-5 and still growing, and he’s just a freshman.”
Mason Toney, Darren Fox, Keaton Archibald, Luke Carter and Parker Rose all contributed June 20 and showed they will play key roles in Johnstown’s continued success.
There were nearly 30 teams playing at MVNU, including 2025 state champion Louisville, Bishop Ready, Hamilton Badin, River Valley, Fairfield Union, Sheridan, Malvern, Delaware and Worthington Christian.
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This article originally appeared on Newark Advocate: Tough competition at MVNU helps Newark, Johnstown boys get better
Reporting by Dave Weidig, Newark Advocate / Newark Advocate
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Dave Weidig, Newark Advocate | USA TODAY Network
