DAYTON, OH – Friday morning kicked off the State Tournament for Boys High School Basketball. Lutheran West and Chaminade Julienne started off the festivities with the D2 State Semi-Final game at 10:45. Both teams were looking to stay dominant as they had been throughout Districts and Regionals. Lutheran West, led by Coach Jordan Duke, was looking to lead Lutheran West to the programs first ever State Championship Game. Michigan signee George Washington III and Chaminade Julienne had other plans.
Defensive Battles
The first quarter was a big defensive battle on both ends of the floor. Chaminade Julienne did not allow any easy looks for the Longhorns inside and out. The Longhorns played the same way on the defensive end. Neither team gained much of a lead, but the CJ Eagles led 11-8 at the end of the first.
Jayson Levis Catches Fire
Big steal, score and one by @LW_Mbball’s Jayson Levis late in the first half. He has a game-high 14 points at the break. pic.twitter.com/hDiNNLwOxb
— Matt Goul (@mgoul) March 17, 2023
Lutheran West’s junior guard Jayson Levis got busy in the 2nd quarter. Levis, who averaged just under 18 points per game in the regular season, started to show why he is the Longhorns’ number one option on offense. Jayson was scoring in all the ways he could from 3-pointers to layups off defensive stops. He scored 10 of his 14 1st half points in the second quarter to keep the Longhorns in the game. Chaminade Julienne still led at halftime 28-25.
Chaminade Julienne Stands Their Ground
End third: Chaminade Julienne 42, Lutheran West 39
Cal Weatherspoon 3 beats the buzzer and breaks the tie for the Eagles. pic.twitter.com/4o6S8Rjo9y
— Matt Goul (@mgoul) March 17, 2023
Lutheran West got off to a fast start out of the break. They went on a mini scoring run to take the lead. Chaminade Julienne came right back though to go up by 6 for what was their biggest lead of the game. Lutheran West was staying in the game however and tied the game at 39 with just under a minute to go in the third. CJ guard Cal Weatherspoon put the Eagles right back on top with a corner 3 that just beat the buzzer. Heading into the final quarter, the Eagles led 42-39.
Lutheran West Aims at History
Final: Lutheran West 56, Chaminade Julienne 54
Longhorns will play Sunday for the #OHSAA Division II state championship – @LW_Athletics’ first state final – after Derek Fairley found Matthew Meyer for the winning basket with 2.0 seconds left. pic.twitter.com/74G178Qoob
— Matt Goul (@mgoul) March 17, 2023
With just under a minute to go in the game, Jayson Levis of the Longhorns fouled out. He finished the game with 20 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists. The Eagles extended their 1-point lead to 2 points after a made free throw. On the Longhorns next offensive possession, Sophomore Josh Meyer got a put back tip to tie the game at 54 a piece. After a CJ missed free throw, Lutheran West had the ball with the game tied at 54. With 26 seconds left, the Longhorns drew up a play that found Sophomore Matt Meyer wide open under the basket to put the Longhorns up 2 with 2 seconds remaining. Senior Guard George Washington III had a good look for the game-winning 3 that fell just short. The Lutheran West Longhorns came out on top 56-54. Including the game-winner, Matthew Meyer contributed 16 points to go along with 8 rebounds in the winning effort for the Longhorns.
For the first time in school history, @LW_Athletics will play for a @OHSAASports boys basketball state title, beating @CJEaglesSports 56-54.
Highlights from twins Matt Meyer (16 points) and the game winner from Joshua Meyer.@SpectrumNews1OH pic.twitter.com/Hj7HXHmJ56
— High School Blitz on Spectrum News 1 (@SpecSportsOH) March 17, 2023
Looking for More
Lutheran West will head to their program’s first ever State Championship Game on Sunday. They will play the winner of Buchtel and Bishop Ready at 10:45AM. Coach Duke and the Longhorns are looking to continue their historic run and bring home a title to the Longhorn faithful.
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