By Cole Swafford | CSwaff Media
Photography by Cole Swafford | CSwaff Shots
DAYTON, Ohio — Princeton finished the job Sunday afternoon.
The Vikings defeated Hilliard Bradley 59-28 at the University of Dayton Arena to claim the OHSAA Division I boys basketball state championship, securing the first state title in program history.
Princeton came out of the gates with the urgency expected from a team playing for a championship, scoring the first eight points of the game. The Vikings took a 16-5 lead into the second quarter and never allowed the Jaguars to find their footing offensively.
Hilliard Bradley managed just seven points in the second quarter as Princeton’s defense continued to create problems. The Vikings took a 23-7 advantage into halftime and carried that momentum into the second half.
Princeton continued to add to its lead in the third quarter, outscoring the Jaguars 16-11 to take a 39-18 advantage into the final eight minutes. The Vikings then put the game away with a 20-point fourth quarter.
Junior Amire Gill led Princeton with 24 points, shooting 10-for-12 from the field and 3-for-3 from beyond the arc. He also pulled down seven rebounds and was named the game’s Most Valuable Player.
Rognny Santiago-Lugo added 12 points for the Vikings, giving Princeton two players in double figures.
One of the biggest pieces of Princeton’s championship season was Kam Mercer, who returned to the Vikings early in the season after spending time with Overtime Elite in Atlanta. Mercer rejoined Princeton and became an important part of the team’s success throughout the season, bringing additional size, athleticism and experience to a roster that ultimately made a historic run.
OHSAA State Championship Trophy.
Mercer’s return added another dimension to a Princeton team that continued to develop as the season progressed. By the time the postseason arrived, the Vikings had put together a balanced group capable of competing on both ends of the floor.
Hilliard Bradley was led by Kypton Norris, who finished with eight points, while Ben Mirgon also scored eight. The Jaguars had difficulty generating consistent offense against Princeton’s defense, finishing with 28 points for the game.
The loss ended an impressive postseason run for Hilliard Bradley. The Jaguars entered the state championship having won 16 consecutive games and reached the state tournament for the first time in program history. Bradley defeated Pickerington Central 44-42 in Saturday’s semifinal to earn its place in the championship game.
Princeton entered the final at 24-3 and had already taken down Lakewood St. Edward 77-51 in Saturday’s semifinal. The Vikings finished the season 25-3, while Hilliard Bradley closed the year 25-3.
For Princeton, however, the final record was only part of the story.
The Vikings had reached the state tournament twice before, finishing as state runner-up in 1972 and 2009. This time, Princeton left Dayton with the trophy.
After 68 years as a school, Princeton finally had its first boys basketball state championship.
From Mercer’s return early in the year to a dominant finish at UD Arena, Princeton’s season came together at the right time.
The final buzzer Sunday brought an end to a historic run — and delivered a championship that had eluded the program for generations.
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