DAYTON, Ohio — The Ohio High School Athletic Association boys basketball state tournament started with a bang, as Lutheran West advanced to the Division II championship game, beating Chaminade Julienne in the final seconds, for a 56-54 win.

What You Need To Know

  • Lutheran West advanced to its first-ever state championship game, beating Chaminade Julienne, 56-54

  • Matt Meyer scored the winning basket with three seconds left

  • Jayson Levis had 20 points for the Longhorns, George Washington III led Chaminade Julienne with 14

It was a tightly contested game throughout, with the largest lead being six points by the Eagles. Lutheran West's (25-3) largest advantage was three, and didn’t lead from the 3:40 mark of the third quarter until Matt Meyer’s go-ahead basket for the Longhorns with three seconds left.

Lutheran West’s Jayson Levis led all scorers with 20 points, until fouling out in the final minute. Meyer added 16, to go with eight rebounds. Dylan Bartchak converted a pair of crucial 3-point shots.

For Chaminade Julienne (26-3), Michigan-signee George Washington, III had 14 points, four more than his brother, B.B. Evan Dickey who added 13, and Cal Weatherspoon also scored 10.

Another big difference was play inside. Lutheran West had a 33-25 advantage on the glass, and outscored the Eagles 38-24 in the paint.

The Longhorns will advance to the state championship game for the first time in school history, facing off with the winner of the second Division II semifinal between Akron Buchtel and Bishop Ready.

That game tips off Sunday at 10:45 a.m. on Spectrum News 1 and the Spectrum News App.