DAYTON, Ohio — Cincinnati Taft completed its self-named “revenge tour” with a 48-45 win over Ottawa-Glandorf in the OHSAA Division III boys’ basketball championship game Sunday the University of Dayton Arena.

What You Need To Know

  • Cincinnati Taft completed its self-named “revenge tour” with a 48-45 win over Ottawa-Glandorf

  • It’s the second title in school history

  • It is the third-ever title by a Cincinnati Public School

  • The commission might also consider hiring an independent mapmaker or mediator

The Senators lost a heart-breaker a year ago in the state semifinals, with Worthington Christian hitting the winning shot at the buzzer.

A tight game throughout, the largest lead was 17-10 for Taft, following a 9-0 run. The Titans surged ahead in the third quarter following two Colin White free throws and a 38-36 lead. White led Ottawa-Glandorf with a 18 points, tied for a game-high total.

Eian Elmer, who finished with six points, put Taft ahead for good, breaking a 40-40 tie, and then his dunk created a six-point cushion before things tightened up once again.

Ottawa-Glandorf gave itself a chance to tie the game on its final possession.

The Titans called timeout down three with five seconds remaining, trailing 48-45, White missed but Taft’s premature celebration resulted in traveling and another shot for the Titans. With .4 seconds left, White missed again, and the Senators spilled out on the floor to celebrate.

Mekhi Elmore, unable to participate in Taft’s 2021 tournament run due to transfer rules, had 18 points, tied for the game-high total with White, to top the Senators. Rayvon Griffith added 12.

Taft’s defense played a huge role, limiting Ottawa-Glandorf to 35.6% shooting, and converting just 3-of-13 on 3-point shot attempts.

It’s the second title in school history (2011), and third-ever title by a Cincinnati Public School, joining Woodward in 1988. Taft Coach Demarco Bradley has had a hand in all three, as a player for the Bulldogs and an assistant coach for the Senators in 2011.

There are three more championship games to go on Spectrum News and the Spectrum News App:

2 p.m. – Division II Championship: Gilmour Academy vs. Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary
5:15 p.m. – Division IV Championship: Tri-Village vs. Richmond Heights
8:30 p.m. – Division I Championship: Centerville vs. Pickerington Central

Join MaryLee Melendez and former Buckeye George Reese for OHSAA Championship Gameday 15 minutes before each game, and then again following for postgame interviews and analysis.