Central’s stars seek back-to-back state titles
A steady stream of girls basketball talent has poured through Pickerington since the mid-1980s, when Dave Butcher set the program on course for an unparalleled two-decade run of excellence.
Led by the prolific one-two punch of senior standouts Madison Greene and Maliya Perry, Pickerington Central is on another memorable run. The Tigers will attempt this weekend to take back-to-back Division I titles for the first time in 20 years.
“Being a senior, you look up there at the banners on the wall and it makes you stop and reflect,” said Greene, a 5-foot-7 point guard who has made firstteam All-ohio twice and second-team once. “It’s humbling and exciting to try and create our own legacy. I look forward to the day when I can walk back into the gym many years later and realize that we achieved something that nobody did before us.”
Before the school district split high schools between Central and North, Pickerington won back-to-back state titles in 1992 and ’93 and 1998 and ’99. The Tigers’ other championships came in 1985 and 1990. They also were runnersup twice.
Sixth-year coach Johnathan Hedgepeth got excited when he saw Greene and Perry play together for the first time as eighth graders at Ridgeview Junior High. Greene moved in from Arts Impact Middle School in Columbus and Perry from Reynoldsburg.
“I could see something really special coming out of that group,” Hedgepeth said. “It was a really successful team. Madison and Maliya certainly showed they had star power.”
Greene came in and started immediately. Perry was the first player off the bench.
The rest is history: Central has a 100-12 record during their careers, including four district titles.
“I think since seventh grade, Madison and I knew we sort of represented the future of the program,” said Perry, a 6-footer who plays multiple positions. “Madison was our leader, our commander right from the start. I played various roles my first two years until establishing myself last year. I think I’ve improved a lot of areas in my game this year.”
Greene is the quintessential point guard. She possesses incredible ball skills, agility and leadership, and is a tenacious defender. She averages 16 points, 5.8 assists and 5.6 rebounds.
ESPN.COM rated Greene as the 61st-best player overall nationally, and the No. 15 point guard.
“Madison can do it all,” Hedgepeth said. “She’s a natural. Some people look at her size and think maybe she can’t do this or that. But you just can’t teach her heart and will. She’s the person who makes us go.”
Said Perry of her close friend and teammate: “Madison may seem quiet, but she’s not afraid to speak up and take command when she needs to.”
Perry’s biggest asset is her versatility and athleticism. She often handles the ball in transition and creates mismatches with her height. Perry is averaging 14.4 points, eight rebounds and three assists.
“Maliya can put it on the floor, pass it, shoot it, post up … you name it,” Hedgepeth said. “She has made big strides this year in being mentally locked in and wanting to be a great defender. Her confidence is off the chart right now.”
Greene signed with Penn State and Perry with Auburn. Both are expected to be immediate impact players with their college programs.
“The feeling of winning state last year is still sort of surreal to me,” Perry said. “I wake up sometimes and think, ‘Wow, I’m a state champion.’ To do it two years in a row, that would really be something.”