DAYTON, Ohio — For just the second time in school history, Akron Buchtel is in the Ohio High School Athletic Association basketball championship game, as the Griffins knocked off previously undefeated Bishop Ready from Columbus, 60-50, in a Division II semifinal.

Buchtel (22-6) raced out to an 11-2 start, but the Ohio Associated Press Division II poll champion Silver Knights (28-1) didn’t panic. Ready calmly got back into the game and pulled to within 15-12 after the first quarter.

The Silver Knights took its only lead of the game at 18-17, following a Charlie Russell 3-pointer in the second quarter. The long-ball kept Ready close, as they converted on all six triple tries in the first half, and trailed 30-26 at the break. However, in the second half, only two of nine 3-point attempts found the bottom of the net.

Russell was the leading scorer in the game with 19 thanks to five made threes, while fellow senior Luke Ruth came up just two rebounds and two assists short of a triple-double (12 points).

The Griffins were ready for anything, displaying an impressive combination of up-tempo offense, and also patiently waiting to see what Ready’s defense gave them.

Buchtel had a 22-2 advantage in fast break points and scored 20 off of 13 Silver Knights’ turnovers. The Griffins outscored their opponent by a lopsided 40 to 18 margin for points in the paint.

Steven Diamond had 13, followed by 12 each from Khoi Thurmon and Marcel Boyce, Jr, while Amire Robinson contributed 11.

The last time the school reached the championship game was 1997, losing to Cleveland Benedictine in the Division II final.

Up next is the Division II championship game on Sunday morning at 10:45 a.m. Whether Buchtel wins, or Lutheran West, a first-time state champion is guaranteed.

Coverage begins Sunday at 10:30 a.m. with OHSAA Championship Gameday live on Spectrum News 1 and the Spectrum News App.