Centerville’s first possession of the OHSAA Division I semifinal against St. Ignatius lasted one minute and 12 seconds, and ended in a turnover. It was about the only thing that didn’t go well for the Elks Saturday night.
The defending state champions are in position to repeat that title and complete an undefeated season following a 64-33 triumph over the Wildcats.
The Elks’ big three of seniors Rich Rolf (12), Tom House (13) and junior Gabe Cupps (15) delivered, combining for points 40 points. Centerville shot 54% from the floor, converting 25 of 46 attempts.
Ace Buckner led St. Ignatius with 13 points, while leading scorer Jon Effertz was shadowed all over the floor, scoring six points on 1-8 shooting.
Cupps put an exclamation point on things by rocking the rim with a dunk and a 38-17 lead.
Carrying a 45-game winning streak, the Elks will try to become just the fifth school in OHSAA boys’ basketball history (based on available information) to repeat as state champs with an undefeated record. The most recent was Cincinnati Moeller in 2019.
They would also become just the third program (Moeller in 2019 and Tri-Village in 2015) to complete a perfect 30-0 record in OHSAA annals.
Either Centerville (2021) or Pickerington Central (2012) will win the second state title in school history.
You can see that, and all four boys’ basketball championships, Sunday on Spectrum News 1 and the Spectrum News App:
10:45 a.m. – Division III Championship: Cincinnati Taft vs. Ottawa-Glandorf
2 p.m. – Division II Championship: Gilmour Academy vs. Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary
5:15 p.m. – Division IV Championship: Tri-Village vs. Richmond Heights
8:30 p.m. – Division I Championship: Centerville vs. Pickerington Central
Join MaryLee Melendez and former Buckeye George Reese for OHSAA Championship Gameday 15 minutes before each game, and then again following for postgame interviews and analysis.
