Getting ready for the season by Adrian Curry
I went over to the foundation game last night at gahanna that featured defending state champs in Africentric versus gahanna. A great tune-up for both as the season approaches. It was a fascinating game as Africentric jumped out to a big lead and was up by 11 at the half. They got great play from Alexia smith and nyam Thornton along with sakima walker in the post. The 2nd half gahanna came out aggressive and played much better and got going with hot shooting from edyn battle and Morgan Darnell. Also great play from Bella ward showing her inside-outside play. However, everytime gahanna would get close Africentric had an answer for them. Sakima walker could not be stopped in the post all night. Gahanna ended up having to double team which left great opportunities for the guards and her teammates. Gahanna with 2 minutes left got it down to 4 70-66 on a Morgan Darnell 3 but from there Africentric took over finished the game on an 8-0 run. Both teams will be very good this season. Expect Africentric to make another run towards a state championship and be the favorite as they return most of their starters back and fit in some new pieces that were role players a year ago. Last night confirmed what I already know that gahanna has the deepest roster in the area that you can have cece carter come in and play along with your senior guards of Kennedy Harris, edyn battle and Morgan Darnell. Look for breakout seasons from Naomi Johnson as well as Bella ward and gabby Anderson. It didn’t show it last night but gabby will be a force to be reckoned with as she was towards the end of last year. They will be a factor to see who represents central Ohio in the state final four this season. Africentric opens their season next Saturday at Cleveland east tech playing O’Hara out of buffalo New York while gahanna has a very tough test as they open the season with kk bransford and the defending state champs in mount notre dame on Sunday night at Lakota west in journey to the tourney. Good luck to both teams this season.