OHSAA boys basketball state finals score updates: Buchtel beats Lutheran West for first title
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DAYTON — Two days after rolling to a win in the state semifinals, the Buchtel High School boys basketball team returned to the floor at University of Dayton Arena to win the biggest game program history. The Griffins won their first state championship in boys basketball, holding off another Northeast Ohio team seeking its first state title, too.
The Griffins defeated Rocky River Lutheran West 51-49 in the Ohio High School Athletic Association Division II state final. It completes an impressive run Buchtel, which reached the title game with a 60-50 win over previously unbeaten Columbus Bishop Ready in the semifinals on Friday afternoon. The Griffins finish their historic season 23-6. Lutheran West finishes the season 25-4. The Longhorns won their semifinal 56-54 over Dayton Chaminade Julienne on sophomore Joshua Meyer's layup and dunk in the final 38 seconds. Meyer nearly delivered a much more dramatic moment in Sunday's state final.
Here's how the game unfolded throughout Sunday morning and into the early afternoon with our score updates, as the Buchtel Griffins won their first OHSAA state championship in boys basketball:
Buchtel wins state title after officials rule last-second shot by Lutheran West is after the buzzer
The Longhorns thought they'd forced overtime when Joshua Meyer hit a layup as the buzzer sounded. But officials reviewed the play for a couple of minutes, and ruled it left Meyer's hand after the buzzer and Buchtel wins its first state title with a 51-49 victory.
Buchtel boys basketball:State champion! Buchtel beats Lutheran West in OHSAA finals to win first state title
Congrats to @AkronBuchtelBK on winning the @OHSAASports boys basketball Division II state championship game! @LW_Athletics Joshua Meyer's great effort to tie the game came just after the horn. @SpectrumNews1OH pic.twitter.com/yIoRlmzBJk
— High School Blitz on Spectrum News 1 (@SpecSportsOH) March 19, 2023
Marcel Boyce Jr. puts Buchtel ahead late
Marcel Boyce Jr. hit two free throws with 14.5 seconds left to give Buchtel a 51-49 lead. Boyce drew the foul with a hard drive to basket coming out of a timeout, as Buchtel had possession of the ball for nearly the final two minutes.
After Buchtel took a foul, with one to give, Lutheran West is inbounding the ball with 3.8 seconds left in the frontcourt.
Buchtel, Lutheran West enter final minute tied in state final
Buchtel has the ball with the score tied 49-49 with 1:01 left in the fourth quarter.
Buchtel and Lutheran West 42-42 through three quarters in OHSAA Division II state final
Khoi Thurmon scored eight points in the third quarter as Buchtel drew even with Lutheran West through three quarters.
The Griffins trailed 34-30 and compiled an 8-0 run to lead 38-34 with 3:35 on the clock. The Longhorns rallied back and the teams were even heading into the fourth quarter.
Lutheran West late surge gives it halftime lead in Division II OHSAA state final
The Longhorns scored the final five points of the second quarter to take a 30-27 lead into halftime. A turnover and pair of missed free throws hurt the Griffins late in the half. Junior Kambomba sparked the late run for Lutheran West with a 3-point from the right wing. Jayson Levis then stole the ensuing inbound pass for the Longhorns and hit a layup for the 30-27 lead. It was the first point of the half for Levis, a 1,000-point career scorer who began the game 0-for-4 from the field and battled foul trouble.
Buchtel committed seven first-half turnovers.
Marcel Boyce Jr., Jayden Maxwell leading Buchtel
Marcel Boyce Jr. and Jayden Maxwell scored eight points apiece in the first half to lead the Griffins in scoring.
Lutheran West has four players with six points — Junior Kambomba, Derek Fairley, Matthew Meyer and Dylan Bartchak.
At halftime of the @OHSAASports Division II boys basketball state championship game, @LW_Athletics leads @AkronBuchtelBK, 30-27.
First half highlights from @marcel_boyce, @bigjune02718090 and @jaysonlevis2024@SpectrumNews1OH pic.twitter.com/oY2pUrj9Se— High School Blitz on Spectrum News 1 (@SpecSportsOH) March 19, 2023
Buchtel leads early in second quarter
After a pair of Marcel Boyce Jr. free throws with 5:49 left in the first half, the Griffins lead 18-15.
Buchtel Griffins lead OHSAA state final after one quarter
It took the Griffins a couple of minutes to play through some apparent nerves, but they led 11-9 after the first quarter. Lutheran West took an early 5-0 lead two minutes into the game. Jayden Maxwell, though, got the Griffins on the board with back-to-back 3-pointers and they settled in.
When does Buchtel basketball play in the OHSAA state finals
The Griffins tip off their state championship game vs. Lutheran West at 10:45 Sunday morning at UD Arena.
Is the Buchtel basketball game on TV?
Spectrum customers can watch this game and the other state tournament games on Spectrum News 1. It is Channel 1 on Spectrum cable.
Akron Buchtel projected starters in the OHSAA state finals
Here's Buchtel's expected starting lineup:
Kohi Thurmon, sr., 19.1 points per game, 4.2 assists, 3.1 rebounds
Marcell Boyce Jr., sr., 14.2 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 2.4 apg
Amire Robinson, sr., 13.2 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 1.8 apg
Jayden Maxwell, sr., 7.9 ppg
Stevie Diamond, soph. 4.9 ppg
Thurmon is a Purdue Fort Wayne recruit, while Robinson is a Nevada recruit. Boyce will play football in college at Wayne State.
Buchtel’s regular reserves are juniors Diaire Pride, Qi’Marreon Marks and Dakota Taylor.
Buchtel boys basketball:Buchtel's Marcel Boyce Jr. brings 'tenacious attitude' to basketball court just like dad
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Buchtel score vs. Lutheran West updates | OHSAA state basketball
