Undisputed: Newark Catholic cuts down top-seeded Grandview for district repeat

Kurt Snyder, Newark Advocate

March 6, 2022 at 8:51 AM·3 min read

COLUMBUS — Ashton Cox bided his time while his Newark Catholic boys basketball teammates finished their football run to the Division VII state finals.

Cox, a senior, knew the Green Wave would have time to handle their business on the court. NC did just that Saturday, burying Grandview Heights in a 54-33 victory in a Division IV district final at Capital University.

"We were getting ready without them, but once they got there, we really started to turn it up and get ready for this and hope to go even farther," said Cox, the only starter, who does not play football. "I worked hard in the offseason. I expected to be a role player that could get mine here and there and be the hype man. I love doing this."

Newark Catholic's Ashton Cox gets the Green Wave bench and fans amped up after a basket during an OHSAA Division IV district final against Grandview Heights on March 5 at Capital University in Bexley.

NC turned a battle of the top two seeds into a domination. The No. 2 Green Wave (14-11) repeated as district champs while the No. 1 Bobcats (18-8) had their string of three consecutive snapped in emphatic fashion.

NC plays Hiland (21-4) at 6 p.m. Tuesday in a regional semifinal at Ohio University with Lucasville Valley and Latham Western set to play in the second game. Hiland beat Malvern 50-36 on Friday.

"We wanted to play the best to be the best," senior Cole Canter said. "That was (coach Nate Adams') mentality going into this. We got what we wanted, and we showed why we are the best team in Division IV."

Grandview used an 8-0 run to take a momentary 11-9 lead, but NC never was not in control. The Green Wave matched that 8-0 run, leading 17-11 after one quarter and 25-17 at halftime.

Newark Catholic's Kyle Langenbrunner puts up a contested shot over Grandview Heights' Aiden Leslie during an OHSAA Division IV district final March 5 at Capital University in Bexley.

The Green Wave then delivered a haymaker in the third quarter. They outscored the Bobcats 19-2 with junior Braylon Bates and senior Brandon Buchanan each hitting a 3-pointer in the final minute

"Fortunately for us, it wasn't (Grandview's) best shooting night, and we were able to clean up the glass," said Adams, whose team held the Bobcats scoreless for more than six minutes and to just one basket for more than 10 minutes. "Give credit to our guys on defense for making it tough on them."

NC won the program’s first district title since 2010 last season in a game played on its home floor because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Newark Catholic's Brandon Buchanan pulls up for a three over Grandview Heights' Aiden Leslie during an OHSAA Division IV district final March 5 at Capital University in Bexley.

This one, however, had a different feeling as the Green Wave fed off its crowd and antagonistic Grandview student section.

"We love big crowds," Cox said. "They were chirping. That just hypes us all up honestly."

Canter, who scored the game’s first two baskets in the paint before hitting from mid-range and 3-point range, scored a game-high 17 points. Buchanan, who does not mind being the villain, had the last laugh, adding 15.

Bates hit a pair of 3s and finished with eight. Junior Eli Morris came off the bench to score twice from the block, matching the four for Cox and junior Kyle Langenbrunner.

"We want to attack the rim and get our shots from the outside later," Canter said. "Being up 4-0 within a minute, that's pretty good, and it set a tone for us early."

Newark Catholic's Cole Canter drives to the basket past Grandview Heights' Aiden Leslie during an OHSAA Division IV district final March 5 at Capital University in Bexley.

NC opened the season with avictory against Sheridan, but the Green Wave also had a few valleys. They now, however, are where they want to be having won five consecutive games.

"We were trying to get ready for a moment like this," Adams said. "We understood it would take some time, but we are starting to jell at the right time, which is all you care about in the tournament."

ksnyder@newarkadvocate.com

740-973-4541

Twitter: @newarkurt

This article originally appeared on Newark Advocate: Newark Catholic cuts down Grandview Heights for district repeat

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