JUNIORS BATTLE TO END

OPS is live from the Boy's Championships thanks to the support of Medi-Wise Health Mart. We look at a great game for the right to play in the championship.

A heavy weight title fight was held in Columbus for the right to play in Saturday nights Division I title game. Columbus Brookhaven and Toledo St. Johns squared off in a classic battle that rivaled a championship game.

With top DI College recruits taking the floor for both teams, press row and the crowd looked for a slugfest. That’s what both teams gave us. Just look at each lineup and you see the depth of talent.

Brian Roberts, BJ Raymond, Zach Hillesland, Jamelle Cornley and Denzel Lyles would provide enough talent to field a college team. Who would advance for a chance to win the big prize?

Like any title fight, having two equal talents make for great entertainment. That’s what these two teams gave the crowd. Striking first would be the Haven, and shooter Denzel Lyles, while Lyles found the basket early, his night would see a 4-15 shooting total.

St. John’s saw Zach Hillesland pick-up two quick fouls in the first, but fight his way to a good performance by the final buzzer. The star for St. John’s was junior BJ Raymond; the 6’6 forward finish the night hitting 10-15 and 26 points. His toughest assignment was guarding Brookhaven star Jamelle Cornley most of the night.

The Titans also received a solid performance from Dayton recruit Brian Roberts. The senior scored 13 points and provided solid leadership over the course of a tight game.

Brookhaven would stay close, but with the score 55-54 St. John’s, Jermaine Cox would miss two free throws, foul Hillesland who would make two and miss a last second attempt for a tie. Final score 57-54 St. John’s advance to play the winner of Hamilton / Canton McKinley.