Boys Basketball: Olentangy Orange rallies past Newark; seeks 1st state tournament
Wednesday, March 13, 2024
By Michael Rich
mrich@cbussports.com
Olentangy Orange’s Devin Brown runs away from the Newark defense during a regional semifinal game at Ohio Dominican Mar. 13. Photo: Brian Bayless
Levi Davis proved to be the spark the Olentangy Orange boys basketball team needed late in their 50-44 win over Newark on March 13.
Newark has a knack for stifling opponents and the Pioneers were no different for much of the first three quarters.
But Davis came through with an assist, a steal and a dunk in a span of about 45 seconds of game time late in the third quarter and early in the fourth to lift the Pioneers in a Division I regional semifinal at Ohio Dominican’s Alumni Hall.
Orange plays for a regional title for the second consecutive season when it faces Delaware Hayes on March 16 at 7 p.m. back at Alumni Hall.
Olentangy Orange’s Levi Davis drives and adds two more for the Pioneers during their regional semifinal game against Newark at Oho Dominican Mar. 13. Brian Bayless
Davis drove the lane before dumping off to Keegan Knupp for a layup at the buzzer to give the Pioneers a 34-33 lead through three quarters.
Steele Meister got a steal for Newark on the first possession of the fourth quarter, but Davis took it right back at half court and went in for a dunk.
“One play could really shift the momentum,” said Davis, a sophomore guard, who scored 12 points and added three assists for the Pioneers. “I felt like the dunk really shifted the momentum. From there, my team just buckled down and we got the win.”
Orange held Newark scoreless for 9 minutes, 31 seconds until a Ty Gilbert 3-pointer with 52 seconds remaining finally ended a 14-0 run.
Keegan Knupp had 14 points, six rebounds and a pair of steals and Devin Brown went for 12 points and 13 rebounds to lead the Pioneers, who improved to 26-1.
Olentangy Orange’s Devin Brown (5) and Keegan Knupp (15) defend Newark’s Steele Meister during the Pioneers’ 50-42 victory at Ohio Dominican Mar. 13. Brian Bayless
“(Newark is) so disciplined and so tough,” Orange coach Anthony Calo said. “They pride themselves on toughness. This is no shade or disrespect, but I think we have a really tough group too and we’re building something special. I’m super, super proud of our kids.
“Coach (Jeff Quackenbush) tries to throw you out of rhythm and he’s really good at that. We didn’t know what we’d see. He’s got a deep defensive package and we’re going to see a lot of different stuff.”
Newark’s Braylon Morris led all scorers with 21 points.
Ethan Stare had nine points and three rebounds, Steele Meister had 11 rebounds, but was held to five points for the Wildcats, who finished 22-5.
“We knew how skilled (Orange is) and we respect the way they play defense,” Quackenbush said. “I’m super proud of kids. Tonight, just wasn’t our night. We just didn’t have a great fourth quarter.”
Olentangy Orange’s Levi Davis gets up close and personal with a Newark defender after a collision in the paint at Ohio Dominican Mar. 13. Photo: Brian Bayless
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