DaytonDailyNews.com

KETTERING — All B.J. Mullens wanted was a rare jumbo-sized matchup. When that plug was pulled, the 7-foot-1 Canal Winchester senior did the next best thing.

"I was geeked," said Mullens after putting 62 points on Our Savior New American in the final game of the three-day Flyin' to the Hoop boys basketball event Monday at Fairmont High School's Trent Arena.

"When I heard there were players 7-5, 7-1, I thought, it's time to go. It's time to play against someone my size. I got the news (Monday) morning that ... all them guys weren't coming down. I was still amped. So I came out and still had that fire."

Our Savior, a New York City prep school that was gutted by illness and missing its celebrated 7-footers, never had a chance, falling 79-69.

Mullens had 20 points in the first quarter and whipped a pro-Ohio State crowd into a lather. He's coach Thad Matta's prize incoming recruit at OSU, and he delivered like never before.

Matched one-on-one with much shorter defenders, Mullens repeatedly took lobs, wheeled a nice drop-back step and slammed. By halftime, he had 36 of CW's 38 points.

He added 18 more in the third quarter and eight in the fourth, leaving for good with 1:31 left.

Mullens hit 28 of 34 field goals, a dozen dunks, 6 of 12 free throws, and added 21 rebounds, three blocks and a new believer.

"It doesn't matter if you're playing Superman or somebody else. Your job is to go up there and do the best you can do," burned Our Savior coach Ron Stelzer.

"I heard he was very, very good, and he was."

Mullens is averaging 24 points for CW (13-2) and he put 46 on Fairfield Union on Saturday.

Illness caused him to miss a recent game. Message to opposing teams: Beware. That was a turning point.

"I thought, basketball can get taken away from you any time," he said. "So, I think that put a little flame in me. I came out the last two games and dominated."

Contact this writer at 225-2381 or mpendleton@DaytonDailyNews.com.