DAYTON, Ohio — Africentric’s explosive first quarter set up the Nubians to win the Ohio High School Athletic Association Division III girls' basketball state championship, beating Chippewa 75-62.

What You Need To Know

  • Columbus Africentric beat Chippewa 75-62 in the OHSAA Division III girls' basketball state championship game

  • It's the Nubians' eighth title, matching Cincinnati Notre Dame for most ever in girls' basketball

  • Janiya Bowers and Natiah Nelson each had 17 points

They matched a couple of state records in the process, most significantly the school’s eighth girls’ basketball title, tying Cincinnati Mount Notre Dame for the most ever. Africentric’s 27 points in the first quarter tied South Euclid Regina in 2005 against Patrick Henry for most in a quarter of an OHSAA Division III girls’ championship game.

The Nubians (24-4) shots the lights out in the first half, at one point converting 14 consecutive field goals. They used a 15-0 run to build a 31-13 lead, shooting 88% (14 of 16) to open the game. Over the full 32 minutes, it was 51%.

Freshman Janiya Bowers scored 15 of her 17 in the first half. Natiah Nelson also had 17, while Samairah Thompson had 13 to go with 11 rebounds.

Angel Rodriguez had a game-high 19 for the Chipps (25-5), supported by Jaclyn Jundzilo’s 15 and Abby Henegar’s 14.

For Chippewa heads coach Dennis Schrock, he’ll retire with one of the greatest career in OHSAA girls’ basketball history. His teams reached four state tournaments, and he concludes with a 723-154 record.

Africentric’s teams join the 2019, 2018, 2016, 2014, 2012, 2009 and 2007 squads to hang state championship banners in the gym.