DAYTON, Ohio — Pickerington Central put an end to Centerville’s 45-game winning streak, and its reign as defending OHSAA boys’ basketball Division I state champions, with a 55-48 win at University of Dayton Arena on Sunday night.

The Tigers (26-2) took control with a dominant second quarter, never trailing after Andrew Hedgepeth’s basket put Pick Central ahead for good at 15-14.

Devin Royal put his Tigers’ team on his back, scoring a game-high 20, on 8-for-13 shooting. But it wasn’t just Royal for Pickerington Central, as Joshua Harlan had 11 points, Gavin Headings had six and Hedgepeth finished with five.

The Tigers took a 33-20 lead in the third quarter before the Elks came storming back.

Kyle Kenney came off the bench to spark Centerville with a 14-3 run to close to the third, cutting the lead to 36-34.

In the fourth quarter, the Elks got to within one point on two occasions, but couldn’t tie or take the lead.

Pickerington Central shot 7-of-8 from the free-throw line down the stretch to get some breathing room in the final score.

Centerville’s big three of junior Gabe Cupps (14), and seniors Rich Rolf (12) and Tom House (11) combined for 37 points, but needed 37 field-goal attempts to get there, converting on 14 for a 37.8% mark.

As a team, the Elks barely shot it better (39.6%).

Although Centerville High School is roughly 10 miles from the University of Dayton, it was Pickerington Central in the white uniforms and looked more at home, forcing the visiting Elks to be uncomfortable.

Alex “Sonny” Styles was everywhere, finishing with four points, eight rebounds and six assists.

It’s the second state title for the Tigers, who also cut down the nets in 2012. Hedgepeth’s father, Johnathan, was the coach for Pickerington Central when the girls’ basketball team won the state title in 2018.

It capped an amazing day of OHSAA championship action with Cincinnati Taft (Division III), Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary (Division II) and Richmond Heights (Division IV) also claiming state titles.