The Boys Basketball team's remarkable journey in the OHSAA State Tournament came to an end on Sunday night in a hard-fought State Championship game against St. Ignatius. Despite falling short with a final score of 66-56 at UD Arena, the Elks' season was nothing short of impressive, marking their 4th consecutive Final Four appearance and finishing as the State Runner-Up with a commendable 20-9 overall record. That is 1 State Title, 2 State Runner-Ups and 1 State Semi-Final appearance in the last four years, which is just incredible.

The Championship game kicked off with an entertaining first quarter as the St. Ignatius Wildcats initially took a 7-0 lead. However, the Elks swiftly responded, and by the end of the first quarter, the Wildcats held a narrow 15-14 lead. The second quarter saw the Elks taking a brief lead of 24-21 with 3:53 remaining. Yet, Ignatius rallied with a 9-0 run to close the quarter, heading into halftime with a 30-24 advantage.

As the game progressed into the third quarter, Ignatius capitalized on rebounds and second-chance opportunities, extending their lead to 38-28 with 4:12 left. Although the Elks narrowed the margin to 7 points at one point, Ignatius maintained control and finished the third quarter with a 45-32 lead. Despite the Elks' resilience throughout the game, Ignatius' overall efficiency and strong performance across all aspects of play prevented a comeback.

The Wildcats' exceptional shooting kept the Elks at bay, leading to a victory and securing the State Championship with a final score of 66-56. Despite the outcome, the Elks' determination and fighting spirit were evident, showcasing the team's character and resilience throughout the season.

Leading the scoring for the Elks were Jonathan Powell with 17 points, Eli Greenberg with 15 points, Ethan Greenberg with 11 points, and Baboucarr Njie with 10 points. The Elks' journey to the State Title game was a testament to their hard work and dedication, culminating in an impressive State Runner-Up finish that the team and fans can be immensely proud of. Congratulations to the Centerville Elks Boys Basketball team on a fantastic season and a remarkable playoff run.