Boys Basketball: Harvest Prep goes cold in Division III final, falls to Lutheran East
Sunday, March 24, 2024
By Michael Rich
mrich@cbussports.com
Harvest Prep’s Ephraim Campbell (35) shoots against Lutheran East during the Warriors’ state championship game at University of Dayton Arena Mar. 24. Photo: Kevin Lam
There are plenty of lessons to be learned in defeat.
But one stuck out to Khalil Daniels after the Harvest Prep boys basketball team’s 45-36 loss to Cleveland Heights Lutheran East in a Division III state championship on March 24 at the University of Dayton Arena.
“Everything I’ve learned from my coaches and my teammates is to just hold your head high regardless of what happens,” the junior wing said. “That’s what I’m going to do and that’s what I’m taking from this season. No matter what life gives me, I’m going to keep my head up and keep fighting through.”
The Warriors (24-5), who had opportunities but couldn’t overcome a cold shooting performance, had won their previous 17 games after a stretch of four losses in six games in late December.
The Falcons (23-5), who captured their second consecutive state title, third in the last four years and fifth overall, scored just nine points for the first 14 minutes, 43 seconds of the second half. But Prep couldn’t get closer than a seven-point deficit in the fourth quarter.
Harvest Prep’s Khalil Daniels plays defense against Lutheran East during the Falcons’ 45-36 win at University of Dayton Arena Mar. 24. Photo: Kevin Lam
“Looking at the stats, everything was similar,” Prep coach David Dennis, Sr. said. “I think the difference was making shots. We went 1-for-15 from 3 and just 14% from the foul line. It was a bad day. I’m proud of our men. They’re hurting. But there’s a lot of lessons learned in this (game) – both on and off the court.”
Overall, the Warriors were 16 of 43 from the field and 3 of 9 from the foul line.
They could have caught and passed Lutheran East in the third quarter but went just 1 of 14 from the floor and scored two points.
Daniels had nine points and seven rebounds and London Foggie scored seven points, including Prep’s only 3-pointer.
Ephraim Campbell and Adonus Abrams each had six points and Brandon Roddy added four points.
Abrams also had three steals for the Warriors, who bridged the first and second quarters with a 6-0 run to take their only lead at 14-13.
Harvest Prep’s Adonus Abrams finishes a fast break with a layup during the Warriors’ state title game with Lutheran East at University of Dayton Arena Mar. 24. Photo: Kevin Lam
Chris Hill’s layup in transition with 6:06 remaining started a 7-0 rally for the Falcons, who never trailed again.
They pushed the lead as high as 15 on a Hill basket early in the fourth quarter but Prep scored the next eight points to cut its deficit to seven. Lutheran East held the Warriors without a basket from the field for the next 3:15 to put the game away.
Jesse McCulloch went for 16 points, nine rebounds and four blocked shots and Hill added 10 points, three rebounds and three steals for the Falcons.
Also, for Lutheran East, Chauncey Brashers, Anthony Bruce and Ronald Taylor scored five points apiece. Brashers had six assists and four steals.
“I think their defense and our offense played a part (in our performance),” said Abrams, a senior guard, who went for 26 points in the semifinal on March 22, but was held to just 3 of 5 shooting. “They pressured us early and we got tired. Then, on top of that, we couldn’t make shots.”
Harvest Prep’s Jamarcus Jones reacts to the Warriors coming up just one game short of a state title against Lutheran East at University of Dayton Arena Mar. 24. Photo: Kevin Lam