OHSAA boys basketball state championship score updates: Hoban tops Pickerington Central to win title

Michael Beaven, Akron Beacon Journal
·4 min read

DAYTON — Twenty four hours after an impressive performance in the state semifinals, the Hoban High School boys basketball team returned to the floor at University of Dayton Arena and delivered another one. This one made the Knights Division I state champions. The Knights won it by going through the defending state champ, giving Akron schools two state championships Sunday after Buchtel's Division II win to start the day. Northeast Ohio schools won all four state titles Sunday.

The Knights were 53-47 winners over Pickerington Central — which features Ohio Mr. Basketball Devin Royal — in the Ohio High School Athletic Association Division I state final. Hoban reached the title game with a 49-36 win over Toledo St. John's Jesuit in a state semifinal that was not as close the final score indicates. Hoban ends the season with a 27-3 record after showing their toughness to beat Pickerington Central, which ends the season 24-6.

Here is how the game unfolded Sunday night through our score updates as the Hoban Knights won their second OHSAA state championship in boys basketball:

Archbishop Hoban opens fourth quarter of OHSAA state championship with huge run

Archbishop Hoban opened the fourth quarter on an 18-6 run to lead 49-37 with 3:46 to go in the fourth quarter at University of Dayton Arena.

Logan Vowles made two 3s during the spurt, Sam Greer scored six points, Will Scott contributed four points and Jonas Nichols made a jumper near the basket.

2023 OHSAA state tournament:Championship run: Hoban rides fourth-quarter burst to OHSAA boys basketball state title

Archbishop Hoban and Pickerington Central 31-31 through three quarters in OHSAA state championship

The Knights are the Wildcats are even through three quarters in Dayton.

Archbishop Hoban leads Pickerington Central 26-25 at halftime in OHSAA state championship

Hoban ended the second quarter on a 7-2 run to take a halftime lead.

Logan Vowles and Sam Greer scored eight points each for Hoban. Andrew Griffith had six points and Will Scott Jr. had four points at the break.

Pickerington Central's leading scorers are Gavin Headings and Devin Royal with eight points apiece.

Pickerington Central leads Archbishop Hoban 14-12 at end of first quarter in OHSAA state championship

Mr. Ohio Basketball Devin Royal made a 3-pointer just before the buzzer to conclude the scoring in the first quarter.

Pickerington Central received scoring from four players, including Markell Johnson (five points).

Sam Greer paced Hoban in the opening quarter with six points.

Hoban guard Will Scott Jr. attempts a shot during the second half of a Division I state semifinal against St. John's Jesuit, Saturday, March 18, 2023, in Dayton.
Hoban guard Will Scott Jr. attempts a shot during the second half of a Division I state semifinal against St. John's Jesuit, Saturday, March 18, 2023, in Dayton.

When does Hoban basketball play in the OHSAA state finals

The Knights tip off their state championship game vs. Pickerington Central at 8:30 Sunday night at UD Arena.

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Is the Hoban basketball game on TV?

Hoban center Sam Greer, left, and Joey Hardman block the shot of St. John's Jesuit's Joseph Taylor during the first half of a Division I state semifinal, Saturday, March 18, 2023, in Dayton.
Hoban center Sam Greer, left, and Joey Hardman block the shot of St. John's Jesuit's Joseph Taylor during the first half of a Division I state semifinal, Saturday, March 18, 2023, in Dayton.

Spectrum customers can watch this game and the other state tournament games on Spectrum News 1. It is Channel 1 on Spectrum cable.

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Pickerington Central is led by Devin Royal, who was announced as Ohio Mr. Basketball for 2023 ahead of the state tournament. He is an Ohio State recruit.

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Hoban guard Jonas Nichols takes the ball down the court during the second half of a Division I state semifinal against St. John's Jesuit, Saturday, March 18, 2023, in Dayton.
Hoban guard Jonas Nichols takes the ball down the court during the second half of a Division I state semifinal against St. John's Jesuit, Saturday, March 18, 2023, in Dayton.

The Hoban starting five features:

  • Jonas Nichols, 6-3, jr., 16.0 points per game, 5.6 rebounds, 2.6 assists

  • Will Scott Jr, 6-2, sr., 14.2 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 2.8 apg

  • Logan Vowles, 6-2, sr., 8.5 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 1.5 apg

  • Andrew Griffith, 6-7, sr., 6.1 ppg

  • Sam Greer, 6-8, fr., 5.1 ppg, 4.1 rpg

Hoban's regular reserves are seniors Colin Coyne and Lamar Sperling, and juniors Joey Hardman and Josh Greer. Sperling was named Ohio Mr. Football in the fall and returned to the Hoban basketball team this winter after not playing for two years.

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Hoban boys basketball OHSAA state tournament history

The Knights are in the state tournament for the third time in program history, matching the feat accomplished by teams in 1989 and 1998. This is the Knights' second trip to the state title game. The 1989 Hoban team won the Division III state championship.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Hoban score vs. Pickerington Central updates | OHSAA state basketball

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