The rematch of 2022's big-school title game predictably came down to the wire again. While the last two Mr. Basketball winners, Devin Royal of Pickerington Central and Gabe Cupps of Centerville, put on a show, it was Markell Johnson's 10-foot, left-handed hook shot in the lane with 1.3 seconds that gave the Tigers a 57-53 win. Pickerington's Gavin Headings (above) tips in the final two points of the Pick Central win.
Olentangy Orange defenders Mikey McCollum (14) and Jordan Edwards (2) stand their ground and draw a charge against Pickerington Central's Devin Royal late in the fourth quarter of the Division I regional final, but it was Royal who led the charge for the Tigers in their advance to the state tournament.