2018 Boys Basketball State Tournament Recaps

Division I Final

No. 2 Cincinnati Archbishop Moeller Cruises Past No. 1 Solon, 83-65, for Fourth State Title

Moeller’s suffocating defense leads to first boys basketball state title since 2007

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COLUMBUS, Ohio — After falling short in the Division I state championship game a year ago, No. 2 Cincinnati Archbishop Moeller defeated No. 1 Solon 83-65 to win the 2018 OHSAA Division I boys basketball state title Saturday night at the Schottenstein Center in Columbus.

It’s the Crusaders’ fourth boys basketball state title and first since 2007.

In the first Division I state final meeting of the Associated Press No. 1 and 2 teams since Columbus Northland and Cincinnati Princeton in 2009, Moeller (27-3) started on a 6-0 run and never relinquished the lead to Solon (27-2) for the rest of the game.

The Crusaders held Solon to just 21-of-61 shooting as a team, including 9-of-38 from beyond the arc. Meanwhile, the Crusaders were ultra-efficient from the field, shooting nearly 71 percent.

“We knew we were going up against a great team, and the film showed us that we were going to have to play a solid game on both ends, and we did just that,” said Moeller head coach Carl Kremer.

Moeller finished with four players with 14 or more points. Senior Jeremiah Davenport finished with a team-high 22 points and added eight rebounds and five assists. Senior First Team All-Ohioan, Jaxson Hayes, and juniors Alec Pfriem and Miles McBride all finished with 14 points for the Crusaders.

First Team All-Ohioan, senior Sincere Carry, led Solon with a game-high 27 points. Senior guard Ryan Bergen was the only other Comet to score in double digits, finishing with 10 points. Solon was making its first appearance in the boys basketball state tournament in school history.

Attendance for the game was 9,226, and total attendance for all 12 sessions of the 2018 state tournament was 105,176.

Division II Final

No. 9 Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary Earns State-Record Eighth Boys Basketball State Crown, Tops No. 5 Trotwood-Madison In Division II State Final
Fighting Irish defeat Trotwood-Madison 60-51 In Division II State Championship

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COLUMBUS, Ohio — No. 9 Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary (21-9) surpassed Middletown and Cleveland Villa Angela-St. Joseph for most Ohio high school boys basketball state championships all-time with a 60-51 victory over No. 5 Trotwood-Madison (26-4) in the 2018 OHSAA Division II boys basketball state championship game at the Jerome Schottenstein Center on Saturday evening.

The win earns back-to-back state crowns for the Fighting Irish, who now boast eight state championships in school history.

"In this moment right now, we made history," said St. Vincent-St. Mary head coach Dru Joyce. "Every player on this team, whether they are a guy who gets minutes or not, will always remember being a part of this."

The Fighting Irish used a patient offensive attack and held Trotwood-Madison’s high-scoring offense, which averaged 91 points per game entering the state tournament, in check. The Rams connected on 43.8 percent of its shots and St. Vincent-St. Mary dominated the glass, outrebounding Trotwood-Madison 35-20. The Fighting Irish recorded 14 assists on 21 made baskets and turned the ball over just 12 times.

Leading the way for St. Vincent-St. Mary was junior Lunden McDay, who scored 19 points on 7-of-13 field goal attempts. Senior Scott Walter and junior Keyshawn Jones also scored in double-figures, with Walter recording 17 points and Jones finishing with 10.

Trotwood-Madison was led by senior Myles Belyeu, who recorded 20 points on 7-of-14 shooting. Junior Amare Davis added 19 points and 6 rebounds for the Rams, who were making their second-straight trip to the state semifinals.

St. Vincent-St. Mary held a 28-23 lead at halftime in what was its largest advantage of the first half. A 6-0 run to begin the second half for the Fighting Irish gave St. Vincent-St. Mary a 34-23 lead at the 5:31 mark of the third quarter. Trotwood-Madison answered with a 12-5 run to close the third frame, trailing St. Vincent-St. Mary just 39-35 heading into the fourth quarter.

St. Vincent-St. Mary didn’t let Trotwood-Madison inch any closer, outscoring the Rams 21-16 in the fourth quarter to secure its eighth state title by a final mark of 60-51. It marked the second win of the season for the Fighting Irish over the Rams and the second-straight year that the two teams met in the state tournament, with St. Vincent-St. Mary earning a 62-60 win over Trotwood-Madison in last year’s state semifinals en route to its seventh state crown.

Attendance for the game was 9,096.

Division III Final

Cincinnati Deer Park Completes Perfect Season and Wins First State Title

No. 2 Deer Park defeats No. 10 Africentric 67-57 to win 2018 OHSAA Division III State Championship

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COLUMBUS, Ohio -- No. 2 Cincinnati Deer Park (29-0) defeated No. 10 Columbus Africentric Early College (21-7) by a score of 67-57 to complete its perfect season and win the 2018 OHSAA Division III boys basketball state championship on Saturday at the Jerome Schottenstein Center.

It was the tale of two halves as Deer Park was down 36-27 at the end of the first half, before outscoring the Nubians 40-21 in the second half.

Following the game, Deer Park head coach Steve Gentry spoke on the change of momentum. "We’ve been down like this the last couple games. We’re a second-half team. We came in the best shape possible to play the way we play. We’ve done that 29 straight games. They were outrebounding us 22-13 at half. I told the guys if we want to win the game we have to start competing with those guys in the second half...we executed, we rebounded, we made free throws. I think those guys (Africentric) got tired."

After Africentric took an 11-point lead, its largest of the game, with 5:37 remaining in the third quarter, Deer Park closed the quarter with a 17-5 run to take a 46-45 lead going into the fourth. The Wildcats would not relinquish this lead for the remainder of the game, eventually pushing the lead to as

many as 12 points.

Four players finished with double-figure scoring outputs for the balanced Deer Park offense. Steven Gentry Jr. and Damani McEntire both finished with 14 points. Jalen Rose scored 13, with nine coming from beyond the three-point-arc. Joseph Hocker finished with a double-double, scoring 10 and grabbing 10 rebounds.

First Team All-Ohio honoree Trey Baumgardner scored a game-high 17 points for the Nubians.

The Nubians were making their third appearance at the state tournament and first in the state title game.

This was Deer Park's first state title and appearance at the OHSAA boys basketball state tournament.

Deer Park's undefeated season was the first in OHSAA Division III boys basketball since the 2000 Akron St. Vincent-St.Mary's team that featured Lebron James as a freshman.

Attendance for the game was 8,705.

Division IV Final

Maria Stein Marion Local Tops No. 9 Willoughby Cornerstone Christian 52-51 in Double-Overtime Instant Classic

Flyers claim third state boys basketball title in school history in thrilling fashion

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COLUMBUS, Ohio — In the first double-overtime state tournament game since 2009, Maria Stein Marion Local defeated No. 9 Willoughby Cornerstone Christian 52-51 in the 2018 OHSAA Division IV state championship game Saturday at the Schottenstein Center in Columbus.

It’s the Flyers’ third boys basketball state title in school history and first since 2003.

Clutch shooting by junior Nathan Bruns at the end of regulation and the first overtime gave Marion Local (25-4) life when it looked like their state title dreams were on the ropes.

"Competing is one of our core values," said Marion Local head coach Kurt Goettemoeller. "It doesn’t matter what the score is, we’ll figure it out at the end."

Bruns knocked down a three to bring the Flyers to within two at 39-37 with 1:46 remaining in regulation, overcoming what at one point was a five-point deficit in the final two minutes of the fourth quarter.

After Cornerstone senior Michael Bothwell missed the front end of a one-and-one with 40 seconds remaining, Marion Local senior Tyler Mescher hit a layup to tie the game at 39 and send the game to overtime.

Trailing again in the second overtime, Bruns hit another three for the Flyers with 17 seconds remaining to tie the game at 44. A three by Bothwell was no good as time expired, sending the game to a second overtime.

After squandering a four-point lead in the second overtime, a three by Cornerstone’s Ricky Adams gave the Patriots the lead back at 51-50 with 17 seconds remaining. Mescher was fouled at the other end of the floor, and his two free throws made with 2.6 seconds remaining put Marion Local up one at 52-51. A desperation half-court heave by Cornerstone’s Titus Wheeler flew wide left, and Marion Local clinched its state title.

Bruns finished with a monster double-double for Marion Local, which included 18 points and 14 rebounds. Mescher also scored 18 points for the Flyers and came one rebound short of a double-double of his own.

Cornerstone was led by Division IV Player of the Year senior Michael Bothwell. The 6-foot-3 guard scored a game-high 23 points and also finished the game with seven rebounds, three assists, two steals and two blocks. He was the lone double-digit scorer for the Patriots.

Cornerstone Christian (21-8) was making its second state tournament appearance in three years after winning the Division IV state title in 2016.

Attendance for the game was 9,620.

Division IV Semifinals

No. 9 Willoughby Cornerstone Christian 51, No. 8 Berlin Hiland 41

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Columbus, Ohio — Willoughby Cornerstone Christian (21-7) defeated Berlin Hiland (23-6) by a score of 51-41 in the 2018 OHSAA Division IV boys basketball state semifinals Thursday at the Jerome Schottenstein Center.

The Patriots rode a stellar performance from Division IV Player of the Year, senior Michael Bothwell, to move on to its second state title game in three years. Bothwell finished with a game-high 22 points and added four rebounds, four steals and three blocks. Senior forward Kendall Saunders notched a double-double, finishing with 13 points and 14 rebounds.

Berlin Hiland was led by a trio of players that all finished with 10 points each. Junior Kendall Hochstetler and seniors Kobe and Scott Troyer combined to score 30 of the Hawks’ 41 total points.

Cornerstone Christian will play the winner of Pandora-Gilboa and Maria Stein Marion Local in the Division IV state championship game Saturday at 10:45 a.m.

Attendance for the game was 7,408.

Maria Stein Marion Local 56, Pandora-Gilboa 54

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COLUMBUS, Ohio — Maria Stein Marion Local (24-4) defeated Pandora-Gilboa (26-2) 56-54 in the 2018 OHSAA Division IV boys basketball state semifinals Thursday at the Jerome Schottenstein Center.

It was a tight game throughout as neither team managed a lead larger than six points. Marion Local held its largest lead late in the second quarter, before Pandora-Gilboa made a push to finish the first half down just one.

Pandora-Gilboa's Second Team All-Ohio member Drew Johnson paced the Rockets with 19 points in the first half, and finished with a game-high 24.

Tied at 51 with 2:11 left in the game, both teams saw opportunities to extend their seasons, but it was the Flyers who earned the right to play Willoughby Cornerstone Christian for the OHSAA Division IV State Championship on Saturday. The Flyers will be looking to win their third OHSAA boys basketball state title.

Senior Tyler Mescher scored a team-high 17 points, and pulled down six rebounds for Marion Local, while junior Nathan Bruns finished with 15 points and seven rebounds.

Attendance for the game was 9,003.

Division III Semifinals

No. 2 Cin. Deer Park 66, Cle. Hts. Lutheran East 48

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COLUMBUS, Ohio — No. 2 Cincinnati Deer Park kept the dream of a perfect season alive, defeating Cleveland Heights Lutheran East 66-48 in the Division III state semifinals Thursday at the Schottenstein Center.

The win sends Deer Park (28-0) to its first state title game in program history. Four Wildcats finished in double-digit scoring, and they held Lutheran East (14-14) to well under its 70-point scoring average.

Senior Jalen Rose led the Wildcats in scoring, finishing with a game-high 18 points. Senior Mark Wise and juniors Ibrahima Athie and Joseph Hocker were the other double-digit scorers for Deer Park. Hocker dominated the paint en route to a double-double with 10 points and 18 rebounds.

David Gulley III finished with team-highs in points (14) and rebounds (7) for Lutheran East. First Team All-Ohioan, senior Jordan Burge, scored 11 points and added five rebounds and three assists.

Deer Park will play the winner of No. 1 Canal Winchester Harvest Prep and No. 10 Columbus Africentric in the 2018 OHSAA Division III state championship game Saturday at 2 p.m.

Attendance for the game was 6,606.

No. 10 Columbus Africentric 54, No. 1 Canal Winchester Harvest Prep 52
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COLUMBUS, Ohio — No. 10 Columbus Africentric (21-6) booked a trip to the Division III boys basketball state final with a 54-52 win over No. 1 Canal Winchester Harvest Prep (28-1) in a 2018 OHSAA Division III boys basketball state semifinal at the Jerome Schottenstein Center on Thursday night.

Africentric will face No. 2 Cincinnati Deer Park (28-0) in the Division III state championship on Saturday at 2 p.m.

Leading the way for Africentric was senior Tre Baumgardner, who finished with a game-high 22 points and six assists, also pulling down five rebounds. Baumgardner scored 18 of his 22 points in the first half on 4-of-5 shooting from downtown. Junior Dorian Holloway notched 13 points and six rebounds for the Nubians.

Harvest Prep was making its fourth trip to the state semifinals and was led by sophomore Christopher Anthony, who recorded 20 points, four rebounds and three assists.

Harvest Prep junior Soul Hines hit a three-pointer at the 2:46 mark of the fourth quarter to tie the game at 52, but Africentric held the Warriors scoreless over the final 2:46 of the contest and a late three-point attempt by Hines glanced off the front of the iron, with Baumgardner collecting the rebound to seal the win for Africentric.

Attendance for the game was 7,030.

Division II Semifinals

No. 5 Trotwood-Madison 88, Byesville Meadowbrook 42

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COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Trotwood-Madison (26-3) defeated Byesville Meadowbrook (22-7) 88-42 in the first OHSAA Division II boys basketball state semifinal game on Friday morning at the Jerome Schottenstein Center.

The big stage did little to slow down a Trotwood offense that averaged over 90 points per game on the season. Meadowbrook kept it close early, down 16-14 with 1:54 to go in the second quarter, but then the Rams went on a 15-0 run and eventually took a 49-30 lead into the half.

The Rams finished with four players with double digits in the scoring column. Amare Davis led all scorers with 21. First Team All-Ohio recipient Myles Belyeu finished with 18 points, six rebounds and five assists. Carl Blanton scored 18, and Justin Stephens added 12 points, eight rebounds and two blocks.

Meadowbrook's First Team All-Ohioan Trey Singleton led the Colts with 12 points.

This was Meadowbrook's first appearance in the OHSAA boys basketball state tournament.

Trotwood will be playing in the Division II state championship game on Saturday at 5:15 p.m. against the winner of No. 9 Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary and Lexington. The Rams will be looking to win the first boys basketball state championship in school history.

Attendance for the game was 9,255.

No. 9 Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary 62, Lexington 51

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COLUMBUS, Ohio — No. 9 Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary defeated Lexington 62-51 in the Division II state semifinals Friday at the Schottenstein Center in Columbus.

The win sends St. Vincent-St. Mary (20-8) to its 11th boys basketball state final in school history with a chance to win a state-record eighth title.

Junior Lunden McDay led the Fighting Irish with 15 points and added four rebounds and four assists.

Junior Cade Stover finished with a double-double for Lexington (23-6). The Division II Second Team All-Ohioan scored a game-high 17 points and pulled in 10 rebounds.

Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary will play No. 5 Trotwood-Madison (26-3) in the 2018 OHSAA Division II state championship game Saturday at 5:15 p.m.

Attendance for the game was 10,347.

Division I Semifinals

No. 2 Cincinnati Archbishop Moeller 51, Lorain 44

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COLUMBUS, Ohio -- No. 2 Cincinnati Archbishop Moeller (26-3) will be returning to the boys basketball state title game for the sixth time after defeating Lorain (22-6) 51-44 in the first OHSAA Division I state semifinal game on Friday at the Jerome Schottenstein Center.

It was all Moeller in this one, as the Crusaders led for the final 30:37 of the game after senior Jeremiah Davenport scored the game's first basket.

After trailing 25-16 at the half, Lorain was able to make an early third-quarter run and keep it close in the second half. With 3:02 remaining in the third, the Titans were down just two, but were unable to hold as Moeller pushed the lead back to eight going into the fourth quarter.

Again in the fourth, the Titans came back and made it a three-point game with 5:09 remaining, but Moeller held and pushed the lead back to eight with three minutes left.

The Crusaders were led by First Team All-Ohio center Jaxson Hayes, who finished the game with 16 points, shooting 8-for-12 from the field, 13 rebounds and 3 blocks.

Junior guard Devone Grant led Lorain with 17 points, while Taevon Pierre-Louis finished with a double-double, 10 points and 13 rebounds.

This was Lorain's first trip to the state tournament since winning the inaugural OHSAA boys basketball state championship in Class A in 1923.

The Crusaders, who remain unbeaten against schools in Ohio, will be matched up in Saturday's state title game against the winner of the second Division I semifinal between No. 1 Solon and Pickerington Central.. Moeller has won three OHSAA boys basketball state titles in school history.

Attendance for the game was 10,899.

No. 1 Solon 82, Pickerington Central 78
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COLUMBUS, Ohio — No. 1 Solon (27-1) advanced to its first boys basketball state championship in school history after defeating Pickerington Central (18-9) by a final mark of 82-78 in a 2018 OHSAA Division I boys basketball state semifinal game at the Jerome Schottenstein Center Friday night.

The Comets will take on No. 2 Cincinnati Archbishop Moeller (26-3) in the Division I state championship on Saturday at 8:30 p.m.

Leading the way for Solon was first team all-state guard Sincere Carry, who finished with a game-high 29 points and 11 assists. Junior Mike Bekelja notched 17 points, six assists and five rebounds, while juniors Trent Williams and David Marbury scored 10 points apiece for the Comets.

Pickerington Central was making its third trip to the state tournament and its second-consecutive appearance in the state semifinals. Leading the Tigers was senior Adrian Nelson, who scored 21 points, all in the first half, while also pulling down nine rebounds.

Pickerington Central led by as many as 12 and held a 45-35 halftime lead, but Solon outscored the Tigers 47-33 in the second half and put up 70 points in the final three quarters of play.

Attendance for the game was 7,981.