DAYTON — Dayton is known as the “gem city,” and the OHSAA Boys State Basketball Tournament being played at UD Arena, sure sparkled in the first day of action.
Tight games, back-and-forth leads, a half-court shot, dunks and three buzzer-beaters (one game winner) were all Friday’s jewels.
In the first Division III semifinal, DJ Moore led Worthington Christian to a 47-45 win over Cincinnati Taft, thanks to his winning shot as time expired.
Moore accounted for a game-high 20 points and 10 rebounds, in a contest that saw 12 lead changes and 10 ties. Brandon Cromer led the Senators with 12.
The Warriors will be looking for their second state championship, joining the 1999 Division IV title already in the trophy case. Meanwhile, their opponent (Lutheran East) is going for its second championship since 2017, and third overall.
The Falcons used a balanced attack to soar past Ottawa-Glandorf, 58-52, in the fourth and final game of the day. “The Lue” enjoyed balanced scoring, with five players netting between nine and 13 points. Jalen Knott’s 13 was a team high, while game-high honors went to the Titans’ Brennen Blevins and his 23.
In Division IV, Columbus Grove mounted a late comeback to edge New Boston, 58-53. Trailing 44-34 late in the third quarter, Gabe Clement started a 24-9 run to close the game, with this half-court heave at the third quarter horn:
Blake Reynolds led all scorers with 22, and Tayt Birnesser tossed in an additional 14. The Bulldogs made their last four three-point attempts in the contest. Tops for the Tigers was Kyle Sexton, with 14.
Either Columbus Grove or Botkins will win its first ever state title. The Trojans outlasted Richmond Heights in the other Division IV semifinal, 44-40. The Spartans’ Josiah Harris had 16, and his basket with 1:39 remaining, evened the score at 40. But, 20 seconds later, Jayden Priddy-Powell’s pull-up jumper provided the winning margin, two of his game-high 19.
Another priceless day of semifinals are on tap Saturday, and all four can be seen on Spectrum News 1, and the Spectrum News App:
- 11 a.m. – Division II (Dayton Chaminade Julienne vs. Columbus DeSales)
- 2 p.m. – Division II (Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary vs. Lima Shawnee)
- 5 p.m. – Division I (Centerville vs. Mentor)
- 8 p.m. – Division I (Westerville Central vs. Cleveland St. Ignatius)
All four state championships on Sunday are also on Spectrum News 1 and the Spectrum News App:
- 10:45 a.m. – Division IV (Columbus Grove vs. Botkins)
- 2 p.m. – Division III (Lutheran East vs. Worthington Christian)
- 5:15 p.m. – Division II
- 8:30 p.m. – Division I