Columbus not only returns intact from last season’s run to the City of Palms Classic final and Class 7A state title, the Explorers have upgraded their roster with the addition of 6’3 senior Jase Richardson, 6’6 sophomore Jaxon Richardson, and 6’2 senior Randy Smith.  Still, the focus will be on the tandem of Cameron Boozer, 6’9, and Cayden Boozer, 6’4, both juniors and elite level players.  Archbishop Ryan out of Philadelphia, is led by 6’9 senior Thomas Sorber, a Georgetown University recruit and a beast in the paint.

Cayden Boozer scored off the tap three seconds in to give Columbus an early lead.  A bit later, Benny Fragela made one of two free throws for the Explorers.  Sorber put Ryan on the board with a slam inside.  After a mid-range jumper from Cayden, Ryan went on an 8-0 run as Darren Williams scored three times at the rim and Rocco Marabito connected on a drive.  With just under a minute to go in the first quarter, Ryan was up 10-5.  Jase Richardson scored on a drive for Columbus but when the horn sounded, Ryan was up 10-7.  Not the most aesthetic game of the day so far.

A three from Ryan’s Willams extended their lead.  Columbus finally got things rolling on a 10-1 run to take a 17-14 lead with 4:20 to play in the period.  Sorber put back a miss for Ryan to break the dry spell, but Jase Richardson of Columbus responded with a putback of his own.  Ryan drew within one after another bucket for Williams to make the score 19-18 with just over two minutes to go.  Columbus closed out the half with a 6-0 run as Richardson hit a floater, Smith hit a three and Cameron hit one of two free throws.  At the half, Columbus was up by seven, 25-18.

Columbus struck first with a Cameron Boozer basket to go up nine to start the third period.  Ryan came back with a drive and score from Williams and a bucket inside from Sorber to draw within four at 27-22 with just over six minutes to go.  Columbus extended their lead to double digits as Jase Richardson dunked inside and then Cayden dropped in a three to make the score 32-22.  That lead would fluctuate for the next few possessions and with just under three minutes to play in the period, Columbus’ lead was nine at 36-27.  The Explorers then finished off the quarter with an 8-0 run as Cayden Boozer hit four free throws and Cameron Boozer hit two free throws and threw down a dunk to grow the lead to 44-27 with one period left to play.

Ryan stayed within that margin at 54-37 after a three from Marabito but after that it was all Columbus.  The main reason for that is Sorber fouled out, leaving Ryan without a reliable scorer.  Columbus took advantage, and pushed the lead past thirty.  In the end, Columbus won in a route, 73-38.

Jase Richardson led Columbus with 17 points while Cameron Boozer had 16, and both Randy Smith and Cayden Boozer each tallied 11 points.

For Archbishop Ryan, Williams paced the team with 16 points while Sorber finished with 11 points.