Johnson's late basket sends Pickerington Central back to OHSAA Division I state final
DAYTON — The play was executed almost to perfection, albeit with another option at the ready, and Markell Johnson had practiced the shot more times than he could count.
Still, Pickerington Central’s senior guard admitted he was happy to have a little luck on his side in the final seconds of Saturday’s Division I state semifinal against Centerville at University of Dayton Arena.
Off an inbounds pass from Juwan Turner, Johnson wound his way from the right block to the center of the paint and drained a 6-foot jumper with 1.3 seconds left to give Central the lead for good in a 57-53 victory. The Tigers (24-5) will play for their second consecutive title at 8:30 p.m. Sunday against Akron Hoban at UD Arena.
“It was a little luck at the end of the day, but I’ll take it,” Johnson said. “Every little kid practices for a game-winning shot. It felt natural. I felt like I could hit the shot.
“I appreciate being shown that confidence and (being given) the green light.”
Johnson’s only other field goal came on a pull-up jumper moments into the second half. He also contributed five rebounds, three assists and three steals.
“We did draw it up like that,” Central coach Eric Krueger said. “We wanted ‘Kell to come off to the corner and get the ball to his left hand. We were hoping to get Devin (Royal) to chase Markell but that wasn’t there, but we know Markell can get downhill with his left hand and make a play.
“We weren’t able to get it to Devin, but Markell made a huge play.”
Gavin Headings stole Kyle Kenney’s inbound pass and converted a layup as time expired for the final score.
The game, which featured 10 ties and nine lead changes, was a rematch of last year’s state final — won by Central 55-48 on the same floor — and a 60-54 Elks overtime victory in the Ohio Scholastic Play-by-Play Classic on Dec. 17 at Nationwide Arena.
It also was a showdown between the last two Mr. Basketball award winners.
Royal, an Ohio State recruit who was announced Wednesday as this year’s recipient, scored a game-high 23 points and had four rebounds. Centerville’s Gabe Cupps, the 2022 winner and an Indiana signee, had 22 points, seven assists and two rebounds.
Turner added 16 points, 12 of which came on 3-pointers. His last came from the top of the key with 1:08 left to put Central ahead 53-50.
“I was very excited to play these guys healthy,” said Turner, who was sick during last year’s state final and working through a sprained ankle during the December matchup. “I was working all week preparing for these guys. I was able to get some pretty good looks.”
The teams traded 8-2 runs in the first quarter. Centerville led by as many as six points in the second at 18-12 before Central closed the half on a 15-5 run, started by a 3-point play from Royal and keyed by two 3-pointers from Turner.
The teams were deadlocked at 40 after three. The final tie came at 53-all when Cupps was fouled on a 3 and drained all three free throws.
Central will seek the program’s third championship Sunday night. All have come since 2012.
“The job’s not finished,” Krueger said. “It was a quick celebration on our end.”
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Pickerington Central edges Centerville in Division I state semi
