After one half, the North Central-New Albany game was everything that fans, media and coaches expected. Kris Wilkes and Romeo Langford were putting on a show as North Central led by a point. The script was thrown out in the second half.

New Albany struggled early as superstar Romeo Langford settled for deep three-pointers. They were on line but just off the mark. North Central was able to get easier looks and more shots at the basket in the first four minutes. This trend continued throughout the game. New Albany shot 31% in first quarter Langford scoring seven of the 11 points. Wilkes had eight points in the opening period.

The normal Romeo Langford got going in the second quarter. He scored 12 points in the stanza including one three-pointer where he tripped then fired from a couple steps inside the halfcourt line. It set the crowd ablaze.

North Central did not roll over, though. Emmanuel Little found his shooting stroke. First, he hit a couple mid-range shots then he extended to the three-point line. He buried a couple triples on his way to 14 points in the first half.

North Central led 35-34 at the half despite Langford’s 19 points, 7 rebounds and three assists.

There were two fouls called on Langford in the first 1:37 of second half. That might have been a forecast of things to come for New Albany as North Central dominated the third quarter with Little and Wilkes continuing to play well. Wilkes had an incredible fast break dunk where his head was at rim level.

New Albany’s offense was stagnant throughout the game but it really stalled in the third quarter. The Panthers took advantage of the lackluster Bulldog scoring to the tune of a 27-6 period. The game was never in question during the fourth quarter.

The North Central shooting and defense were the story. The Panthers didn’t allow any easy baskets by Langford or any other Bulldogs. In contrast, North Central was getting to the basket and drawing defenders for open threes. That led to North Central shooting 59% for the game.

Romeo Langford finished with 30 points on 11-25 shooting but 3-13 from three-point land. He had nine rebounds, four assists and two blocks as well.

Kris Wilkes tallied 32 points on 13-21 shooting plus seven rebounds. He had two blocks and two assists to boot.

NA (60) – Romeo Langford 30 (11-25 FG, 3-13 3FG, 5-7 FT), 9 rebounds, 4 assists, Sean East 5 points (1-9 FG, 1-7 3FG), Savion Southers 2 points, Isaac Hibbard 13 points (5-13 FG, 2-7 3FG), Julien Hunter 10 points (5-9 FG), 4 rebounds

NC (84) – Mateo Rivera 15 (5-11 FG, 2-5 3FG, 3-4 FT), 8 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals, Ty’Riek Johnson 2 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, DJ Johnson 14 points (4-5 3FG), 3 rebounds, 4 assists, Emmanuel Little 18 points (7-10 FG, 2-2 3FG, 2-2 FT), 11 rebounds, Kris Wilkes 32 points (13-21 FG, 1-4 3FG, 5-7 FT), 7 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 turnovers, 2 blocks, Donald Lee 3 points, 3 assists