Boys’ Basketball Wins Thriller at St. John’s Jesuit, 75–72

Senior Manny Johnson delivered in the game’s biggest moments Friday night, lifting the Central Catholic boys’ basketball team to a 75–72 victory over arch-rival St. John’s Jesuit in the Titan Dome.

With less than five seconds remaining, Johnson knocked down a clutch three-pointer to give the Fighting Irish the lead. Moments later, the senior guard sealed the win by blocking a potential game-tying shot at the buzzer, preserving the dramatic road triumph.

With the victory, Central Catholic improves to 8–2 overall and 5–1 in the Catholic High School League. The Fighting Irish also completed a season sweep of the Titans (10–4), having earned a 70–56 win over St. John’s Jesuit on December 23 in the Sullivan Center.

Johnson led a balanced Scarlet & Gray attack with a game-high 24 points and seven rebounds. In two meetings with the Titans this season, he totaled 49 points and 21 rebounds.

Junior G Cayden Kynard added 19 points and a team-best eight rebounds, while senior F Kingston Sito contributed nine points and senior F Kaeden Carruthers chipped in eight.

St. John’s Jesuit was paced by Race Kowalczyk with 23 points, while Ethan James (16), Coy Hamic (13), and Parker Theobalds (11) also reached double figures.

Earlier in the evening, the Central Catholic freshman team fell 35-27, while the junior varsity squad dropped a 61–48 decision.

Central Catholic returns to action on Sunday, January 18, facing Pickerington Central as part of the Shot Clock Battle in the 614 at Ohio Dominican University. Tipoff is scheduled for 12:30 p.m.