North vs. South: The Battle for Westerville

Published on: 5th February, 2010

Westerville, OH –

It’s been nearly 30 days since the last title bout of North vs. South. Are you ready for Round 2?

Anytime you put two teams on the floor with combined records of 31 wins and 2 losses and then you throw in two high-level college prospects facing off against each other in a cross-town rivalry game …things are going to get aggressive.

Westerville South (17-0) travels the short bus ride to Westerville North (14-2) Friday night and will try to keep in tact their winning streak and chance at a conference title. North looks to protect their house and gain a game back on their side of the OCC.

In the first encounter, Westerville South prevailed 49-47 at home, as 2011, combo guard Traevon Jackson lead the victors with 29 points and the game winning drop off to Tevin Favor. North’s Ralph Hill got a clean look from 35 feet but his shot hit the back iron and the dancing began in South’s student section.

This time around don’t be surprised if it’s the same situation and the game goes down to the last possession. Westerville South who doesn’t have a player over 6′3 will be faced with size and Senior leadership – as North is lead by 6-foot-6,Dayton signee’ Raph Hill, Kenny Deboer and Brad Nettles.  North also has an upcoming player in 6-foot-5, 2012, SF, Matt Rhodes, who adds a presence on the floor with an ability to make shots and finish around the interior glass.

North, which is known for there open flow offense and numerous quick entry looks will have to face a tight gripped Ed Calo man-to-man defense. Westerville South does an excellent job of closing out, challenging, contesting, rotation and pretty much anything else you would like to see out of a defensive shell drill.  Jackson is the straw that stir’s South’s drink on offense, but role players such as Ben Jones, Vincent Calo, Marcus Ball, Zeeke Rogers, Dee Lyshe and Tevin Favor will all chip in throughout the game. North and Ralph Hill will look for Deboer, Nettles and Co. to help-out in this pre-tournament test.

Tale of The Tape:

Westerville South                   Westerville North

Coach Calo                            Coach Thuman

Record 17-0                            Record 14-2

Dispatch #3                            Dispatch #6

AP Poll #10                            AP Poll # NR

Star Watch Player Profiles

Traevon Jackson                            Ralph Hill

South                                            North

6-foot-2                                        6-foot-6.5

200 lbs.                                         190 lbs

Combo                                            WF

2011                                               2010

Uncommitted                             University of Dayton

19.8 ppg                                        22.3 ppg

8.6 rbpg                                         10 rbpg

5.5 apg                                          NA/apg

NA/FG%                                        58.5 FG%

79% FT                                          90% FT

All-Ohio Red                                   Team CBIZ

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