DAYTON, Ohio — Richmond Heights finally got its breakthrough in the OHSAA Division IV boys basketball state tournament, getting by Berlin Hiland 59-21 to reach Sunday’s championship game.
The Spartans got to the Final Four in 2019 and 2021, but this season is the first time advancing to the title game.
They got it done with defense, holding Hiland to just eight points after the first quarter and none in the fourth. That matches an OHSAA record for fewest points in a quarter (three previous times).
The Hawks were bothered by Richmond Heights’ length, shooting 21% from the floor, and just three for 21 (14.3%) on 2-point attempts. Hiland did not shoot any free throws, and had eight shots blocked.
The Spartans (61% on field goals) were led by London Maiden and Jaiden Cox-Holloway with 12 points each. Grant Miller had nine, most among Hawks.
One big question for tomorrow’s title tilt will be the health of Josiah Harris, who left the game early with an injury. He returned a few minutes later, and still scored 10 points, but played with a slight limp. The West Virginia signee departed the game for good in the third quarter.
The Spartans will play the winner of Antwerp and Tri-Village in the Division IV final. 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
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.
