Pickerington Central dominates New Albany in Division I regional championship

Pickerington's Zoe Coleman shoots over Mica Jefferies during late-game action in the Division I regional championship at the Ohio Expo Coliseum. (Photo: Chuck Cordes/Ohsfbmedia.com)

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Pickerington Central quickly made its way to the state semifinal game, defeating New Albany 59-28. 

The Tigers found early success through their defense, which forced New Albany into several turnovers. 

Pickerington jumped ahead quickly, 4-2, with 6:36 remaining in the first quarter and never lost its advantage, limiting New Albany to only five points during that period. 

"I mean, I think our defensive intensity," said Hedgepeth when asked what some of his team's early successes were in the game. 

De'Mari Anderson gets a piece of a shot by Hartley Rhoads. Anderson scored 6 points in the game. (Photo: Chuck Cordes/Ohsfbmedia.com)

They didn't shoot the ball fairly well early, but settled in. "New Albany actually had us out of kilter, offensively, but we were able to rebound and get some O boards early, got some easy baskets early, and that helped us get our nerves down," he elaborated. 

 University of Dayton commit, London Johnson, scored her first points of the game from the free-throw line after a slow start from the field. 

New Albany scored nine points with 5:16 left in the second quarter, and only added two more points with just under two minutes remaining until halftime. It was obvious that the reigning state champions were in control of this game. 

Pickerington Central took a 34-11 lead into halftime. "We focused on rebounding and stopping Mary, their shooter, and we did that," said Johnson.

Blossom Wallace and Ameera Jenkins smother Mary Kidwell (12). (Photo: Chuck Cordes/Ohsfbmedia.com)

Finding their groove, Pickerington scored 17 points in the third quarter by a trio of players, Wallace (12 points), Johnson (8 points), and Zoe Coleman (13 points), who were in complete control around the basket as all scores came from the field except for a 3-point shot by Gabby Plair. 

The Tigers were leading 51-15 by the end of the third quarter. "Communication, our defense was key, making sure we were in transition, getting stops and talking," said Wallace. 

Kidwell was held to seven points entering the last period, a nod to the defensive pressure the Tigers put on display. 

They sent their second team into the game, led by senior Meliah Ellis. When she scored her first basket, the bench erupted with cheers, "She's been with our program since the seventh grade, and you know she decided to come out, it's her senior year, and we convinced her to come which is great for her to score and get a chance to go back to the final four again," said Hedgepeth.

Pickerington Central celebrates the program's 17th regional championship trophy presentation. (Photo: Gene Simmons/Ohsfbmedia.com)

Once again, the Tigers are advancing to the state semifinals, as they will face Kettering Fairmont on Thursday, March 12, from the University of Dayton Arena after they defeated Lewis Center Olentangy 66-45 in an earlier game.