Adonus Abrams led the Warrior charge against a tough Ottawa Glandorf squad, contributing 26 points on the night. (Press Pros Feature Photos by Brian Bayless)
After repelling numerous comeback attempts by Ottawa-Glandorf, Harvest Prep hung on to beat O-G and reached its fourth state title game. Adonus Abrams was magnificent for the Warriors, scoring 26 points and making six steals.
Dayton, OH – Coaches Tyson McLaughlin of Ottawa-Glandorf and David Dennis Sr. of Harvest Prep had to be feeling more than a bit of deja vu as a compelling Division III state semifinal wound down Friday night.
On Feb. 6, 2022, O-G executed a perfectly designed inbounds play – a backside lob off multiple screens – to Colin White and his layup at the buzzer gave the Titans a thrilling 63-61 win over the Warriors.
Your athlete runs better on chiropractic. Call 614-401-2021 to schedule today.
Before a roaring crowd of 6,981 – most clad in O-G Navy and Gold – a similar scenario unfolded Friday. After a series of timeouts to strategize, the Titans inbounded in front of their bench with four seconds left. McLaughlin drew up the same play. This time it imploded, though.
Veteran central Ohio columnist Steve Blackledge writes the OCC and sports at large for Press Pros.
Grant Schroeder’s crosscourt skip pass forced White beyond the three-point line, where his desperation fade-away fell at least three feet short of iron. Ephraim Campbell made the defensive stop as Harvest Prep prevailed 61-59 to reach its fourth state championship game.
Khalil Daniels looks on in disbelief after being called for a foul. Daniels would earn five for the night, sending him to the bench.
“Wow. What a game between high-level basketball programs,” a flabbergasted Dennis said afterward.
“It was so ironic that they ran the exact play they beat us with two years ago. We had seen it a few other times, too, and we were ready for it. Campbell (6-feet-4) is all arms and we put him on White in hopes of disrupting him.”
White, an Ohio State signee who earlier in the week was selected Ohio’s Mr. Basketball by a vote of the Ohio Prep Sportswriters Association, finished with 32 points, 13 rebounds and five steals to carry the top-ranked Titans (24-4), but this last-gasp shot never had a chance.
“The plan was to get Colin isolated on the back end of the floor for a shot,” McLaughlin said. “They pushed us a little further than we hoped and the result was what it was. With so little time, the most important thing was I wanted a shot and I wanted it in Colin’s hands.”
Tenth-ranked Harvest Prep (24-4) showed immeasurable poise in holding off the fourth quarter charge by O-G. The Warriors led virtually the entire way, building a lead as large as 12. But seemingly every time the Titans had a chance to pull even or take the lead, Prep responded with a huge play to quell the threat.
Want a greener, healthier lawn? We can help. contact Weedman USA at 614-733-3747 or go online to Weedman.com.
The main culprit was senior guard Adonus Abrams, who played a remarkable game with 26 points, six steals and three assists. He made four cold-as-ice baskets in the final 3:33, two on runners, and one on a layup after his own steal. The biggest play, however, was a dazzling reverse pivot move to the basket with 1:06 left and Prep in a delay. That made it 57-53.
“They were giving me openings and I just took the openings they gave me,” said Abrams, a four-year starter with over 1,000 career points.
But Prep missed 5 of 7 foul shots in that final 1:06, opening the door for an O-G comeback.
Ohio State signee Colin White slams one down over Prep defender London Foggie to kick off a frantic Glandorf run that fell just short.
A putback of his own miss by White – who topped 2,000 points for his career – pulled the Titans to 60-59 with 15 seconds left.
Campbell made the second of two foul shots with four seconds left to set up the bone-chilling final sequence.
Despite losing the rebound battle, Harvest Prep made only nine turnovers and overcame numerous hurdles to prevail.
“These boys just stepped up, persevered and found a way to win,” Dennis said.
McLaughlin congratulated Prep on its toughness and poise.
“Give them a lot of credit,” he said. “They were very good at disrupting our rhythm. When we got it in scoring areas, they came at us in waves. They completely disrupted our flow. Frankly, I thought they were phenomenal tonight.”
Harvest Prep will face the defending champion Cleveland Heights Lutheran East at 2 p.m. Sunday for the title. Prep was champion in 2019 and runner-up in 2007 and 2015.
The ‘Spot’ is the presenting sponsors of the 2024 OHSAA basketball tournaments on Press Pros Magazine.com.