Boys state basketball: St. Ignatius beats Centerville for D-I state title

Four players scored in double figures Sunday as St. Ignatius' boys basketball team pulled away in the third quarter to defeat Centerville 66-56 in the Division I state championship game. The Wildcats (26-3), who captured their second title (2001), were led by 14 points from Jack Zapolnik at University of Dayton Arena. Matt Ellis added 12 off the bench, Michael Lamirand had 11, Reece Robinson posted 10 and Brunswick native Damon Friery had nine. The Elks (20-9) countered with Jonathan Powell (17 points, 6-for-21 shooting, 3-for-12 3-pointers), Eli Greenberg (15), Ethan Greenberg (11) and Baboucarr Njie (10) but saw their bench outscored 14-0. In other games: Division II Kettering Archbishop Alter 68, Zanesville Maysville 54 Joe Brand had an efficient 23 points on 7-for-9 shooting and R.J. Greer (15 points), Brady Conner (13) and Gavin Leen (12) also contributed as the Knights (23-8) took down the Panthers (26-4), who were making their state debut. Maysville made a whopping 14-of-36 3-pointers and was led by Alex Bobb (24 points, 9-for-29 shooting, 6-for-20 3-pointers) and Jordyn Watson (17, 6-for-10, 5-for-6). Division III Lutheran East 45, Canal Winchester Harvest Prep 36 Jesse McCulloch, a 6-10 Michigan State recruit, dominated with 18 points, nine rebounds and four blocks to lead the Falcons (23-5) to their second straight title. Chris Hill (10 points) was the only other Lutheran East player to score in double digits, but the Falcons shot 50% from the floor. The Warriors (24-5) were paced by nine points from Khail Daniel. Division IV Richmond Heights 62, Berlin Hiland 35 Demaris Winters Jr had 19 points, Dorian Jones (13) and Hosea Steele Jr. (12, 6 rebounds) also reached double figures and DeErick Barber Jr. dished out nine assists as the Spartans (19-9) easily repeated as champion. Richmond Heights won its seven tournament games by an average of 37.4 points, beginning with a 92-32 decision over Medina Christian Academy in the sectional finals. The Hawks (23-7), who won a double-overtime classic on Friday, made only 12-of-45 field goals (.267) and 4-of-19 3-pointers (.211) while committing 16 turnovers. Nick Wigton had 16 points. Saturday Division I St. Ignatius 54, Delaware Hayes 53 Quinn Woidke made a 10-foot floater with 13 seconds remaining, giving the Wildcats (25-3) a thrilling come-from-behind over the Pacers (27-2). St. Ignatius trailed 51-48 with 1:45 to play before beginning to rally. Brunswick resident Damon Friery's layup brought the deficit to 53-52 with 50 seconds remaining, and Hayes committed a turnover to set up Woidke's heroics. The 6-10 Friery led St. Ignatius, which is seeking only its second championship (2001), with 16 points, Woidke added 15 and 6-8 Reece Robinson hauled in a game-high 12 rebounds. Hayes got 21 points from 6-8 Northside Christian transfer Landon Vanderwarker and 17 on 4-for-13 shooting from Jesse Burris. Centerville 58, Toledo Whitmer 39 Making their fourth straight semifinal appearance, the Elks (20-8) returned to the championship game by handling the Panthers (25-3), who are coached by former Medina boss Anthony Stacey. Eli Greenberg led Centerville with a game-high 19 points, four rebounds and five assists, while Jamar Montgomery (14 points) and Jonathan Powell (10, 6, 3) also contributed. ESPN three-star recruit Antoine West had 16 points for Whitmer, which made just 5-of-23 3-pointers. Division II Kettering Archbishop Alter 73, Youngstown Ursuline 37 The Knights (22-8) pulled off a rare combination by reaching the championship game in football and basketball after hammering the Fighting Irish (24-4) behind a 20-4 first quarter. Greer had an efficient morning with 24 points on 9-for-11 shooting as Alter connected at a stellar .622 clip (28-for-45) from the floor, while Brand (17 points) and Conner (10, 4 rebounds, 5 assists) also hit double figures. Ursuline, which shot 5-for-28 while being outscored 49-15 in the first and third quarters, was led by 11 points apiece from Jaylen Gunther and Jaden Payne. Zanesville Maysville 68, Shelby 65 Watson made the go-ahead layup with with 1:49 to go and Bobb connected on 4-of-5 free throws the rest of the way as the Panthers (26-3) reached the finals for the first time. Watson finished with 26 points on 9-for-15 shooting, Bobb added 22 points and Gator Nicholas poured in 18. Also making its state debut, Shelby, which upset defending state champion Lutheran West in the regional finals, got a tournament-high 34 points from 6-foot-8 Wright State recruit Alex Bruskotter and 12 points and 11 rebounds from 6-5 Casey Lantz. Contact Albert Grindle at (330) 721-4043 or agrindle@medina-gazette.com.