Wesson shows full offensive game

The defending Columbus regional champs flexed their muscles in the second half on Saturday, as Westerville South survived a slow start to pull away from Hilliard Davidson, 58-30. Senior wing Andre Wesson poured in 14 points in the win.

"We started out real slow," said Wesson after the game. "Give Davidson credit, they are a good team, but we did not start out good at all. We knew we had to pick it up in the second half."

Wesson showed his all-around offensive game throughout the contest, getting points off the dribble, but also showing his improved range, stepping into a long-range three-point shot with confidence in the second half.

"I've worked on my shot all summer," he said. "I've tried to get my shot more consistent and I've put a lot of work into it so that's just some of the work coming out."

It was Wesson who put the exclamation point on the win in the fourth quarter, driving baseline and throwing down a two-handed dunk over a couple of Davidson defenders.

"I'll remember that for the rest of my life," he said. "That was a real good feeling."

South will now face Pickerington Central on Wednesday evening in the regional semi-finals. Central has already defeated South this year and after going all the way to the state championship game a year ago, the regular season has been more of a grind for Wesson and his teammates.

"Last year we were sort of a team on the rise and nobody really knew about us," Wesson explained. "This year coming in, we've always had an X on our back so going through the season it just got harder and harder."

Recruiting has taken a back seat for Wesson during this playoff run, but his improved play this winter has generated plenty of new college interest, including Ohio State. The Buckeyes have been out to see Wesson a handful of times this season and he has made a few unofficial visits in the last couple of months.

"I went to the Michigan State game," he said. "They've just been telling me the same stuff, to just keep doing what I'm doing. They said they'll talk to me (about an offer) after the season and to just go ahead and win a state championship."

Wesson's younger brother, Kaleb, is already committed to the Buckeyes and while joining him in Columbus would be an appealing option, he's keeping things close to the vest for now.

"It would mean a lot," he said of an Ohio State offer. "It's a Big Ten school and it would be nice (to get the offer) but I'm looking at all of the schools that are recruiting me."