This could and should be an epic matchup.  Both teams blew away their opponent in the first round and each team is stacked with D-I talent.  Both teams are deep with athletes and size.  While the focus may be on the battle between a pair of NBA offspring, Cameron Boozer of Columbus and Jacob Wilkens of Grayson, we plan to pay close attention to the junior battle between 6’5 Caleb Holt, an offensive force for Grayson and 6’5 Jaxon Richardson, a versatile and active defender for Columbus.

Cameron Boozer got the game started off with a three-point play for Columbus.  That was the beginning of a 10-0 run to open the game for the Explorers.  While Grayson was missing threes or turning the ball over, Cameron Boozer scored the first eight points and 6’1 junior Marcellous Jackson drained two free throws.  Holt finally got Grayson on the board with a baseline drive but that was quickly answered by a bucket inside from Cameron Boozer.  Grayson kept pace to a degree, down 17-6 with just over two minutes to play in the period.  Columbus closed out the quarter with an 8-2 run, highlighted by a lob dunk to Richardson.  After one period, Columbus was up big 25-8.

Grayson made a bit of a run to close the gap early in the second period.  After a three from 6’5 senior K.J. Garris, the margin was thirteen at 31-18.  At that point, Columbus reasserted its dominance, going on an 11-0 run highlighted by a three from 6’6 junior Keeper Jackson.  All of a sudden, the score was 44-20 in favor of Columbus with just over two minutes left in the quarter.  Garris completed a three-point play late in the period after a Keeper Jackson transition jam to make the halftime score 46-23 in favor of Columbus.

Things went from bad to worse for Grayson in the third quarter.  They were down 60-36 with just over three minutes left to play when Columbus closed out the quarter with a 13-0 run, featuring some impressive finishes by Richardson.  With one period left to play, Columbus owned an insurmountable 73-36 lead.

The final quarter was actually played “even” as both teams scored twelve points.  The final score was Columbus 85, Grayson 48.

Columbus was led by Cameron Boozer with 22 points.  Richardson had 17, 6’7 junior Caleb Gaskins 14 and Marcellous Jackson finished with 10 points

For Grason, Garris led the way with 10 points.