DAYTON, Ohio — Cincinnati Taft declared the 2021-22 season a “revenge tour” after a heart-breaking loss in the 2021 OHSAA Division III state semifinals to Worthington Christian.
On Friday, the Senators got one step closer to completing that, with a 56-43 win over defending Division III state champion Lutheran East.
Taft pulled ahead for good with just three minutes to play in the second quarter as junior Rayvon Griffith hit a free throw, followed by a layup 21 seconds later. The Senators took a 23-20 advantage.
Taft received balanced scoring, with four players in double-figures, paced by Griffith’s 17. Brandon Cromer and Mekhi Elmore each had 11, while freshman Kieran Granville-Britt chipped in 10.
The Senators also enjoyed an advantage in the frontcourt, outscoring the Falcons 30-20 in the paint, and collecting 10 more rebounds (33-23).
Lutheran East got 16 points from Cody Head, and 15 from Jesse McCulloch.
Taft will try to complete the revenge tour with a second state title in school history (2011). Head coach Demarco Bradley would love to add to his medal count, winning a championship as a player at Cincinnati Woodward in 1988. Those two titles are the only ones won by Cincinnati Public Schools in OHSAA state basketball history.
Taft will play Ottawa-Glandorf Sunday at 10:45 a.m. in the Division III championship game. 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
5:15 p.m. – Division IV Championship
8:30 p.m. – Division I Championship
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.
