Inside the home locker room at Upper Arlington High School, Dane Goodwin was surrounded by nearly every local media member in attendance Tuesday night and the 2018 Ohio State commit took a deep breath and leaned back against the wall.
"That was a long game," he said.
Goodwin certainly earned the right to be exhausted. He never checked out of the game and scored 35 points to help Upper Arlington knock off defending state champion Westerville South — led by another future Buckeye, 2017 signee Kaleb Wesson — in thrilling fashion, 68-67.
And while it was Goodwin's teammate, sophomore Max Martz, who hit the buzzer-beating 3-pointer to win the game, Tuesday was more about the show put on between the two players headed to Ohio State.
Goodwin hit 8-of-13 tries from behind the 3-point line to score his 35 points and also grabbed seven rebounds, but he went head-to-head with Wesson, who finished with a career-high 49 points to go along with seven boards himself. Wesson scored 35 of his team's 37 second-half points and finished the game 15-for-19 from the field and 18-for-19 at the free-throw line.
It was an absolute monster performance by both individuals.
"I met up with Kaleb after the game and I think over the next couple years, eventually getting there, we’re going to get really close," Goodwin said. "He’s a great guy and a great player to top it off. I’m really looking forward to that.”
Goodwin can really shoot it, was 4 for 5 from deep in the first half. pic.twitter.com/jMQDjC8z4e
— Tim Shoemaker (@TimShoemaker) January 25, 2017
Ohio State fans are, too, as the program is currently 12-8 and just 2-5 in the Big Ten and stuck in the middle of a two-year funk. Tuesday offered a potential glimpse at the future.
Buckeyes assistant coach Greg Paulus and current players Andre Wesson (Kaleb's older brother) and JaQuan Lyle were in attendance and just about every fan not dressed in Westerville South red or Upper Arlington gold was sporting some sort of Ohio State gear.
And with each basket made, those in attendance were offered a glimpse of what's to come on the court for the Buckeyes.
“We talk about that a lot," Wesson said. "When we go to games, we sit next to each other and just talk about what we can do to better the team and how the team is doing.”
“It makes me a feel a lot better for the future if fans are getting excited about me, Kaleb and the future," Goodwin added. "It definitely makes me look even more forward to it and kind of getting there to play.”
Goodwin made free throw, Wesson answers with a basket & foul. pic.twitter.com/rhejzwUQ0u
— Tim Shoemaker (@TimShoemaker) January 25, 2017
Both feel even though Ohio State is struggling right now, the program will figure out a way to turn things around.
“I think the program is in a good position just trying to get back on a roll here," Goodwin said. "I think the overall feeling around the program is positive and they’re going to get it here sooner or later.”
“I feel like we're struggling right now, but I feel like we have the pieces to win," Wesson added. "I feel like right now we're just in a slump."
After Goodwin finished celebrating with his teammates and students that stormed the court, the 6-foot-5 guard with the smooth stroke sought out the 6-foot-10 Wesson, his future teammate.
The conversation was brief, but they'll have plenty of time for more in-depth ones down the road.
"It was just, 'Can't wait to play with you,'" Wesson said.
And after the performance each put on Tuesday night, Ohio State fans likely share that same thought.
