Boys basketball: Trotwood hits tying three at buzzer, beats Toledo Catholic Central in overtime

The winner will play either Steubenville or Akron Archbishop Hoban at 7:30 p.m. Friday. Those two teams play one another in Thursday’s second game of the evening.

Check back for more photos, video and news from the postgame.

Credit: Steven Wright

Credit: Steven Wright

OVERTIME

Trotwood can’t stop winning close games.

The Rams do it again and will play for a state championship on Friday with a 55-53 victory.

Je’Carious Reaves helped run down nearly the final 1:36 off the clock with the game tied before he drove into the lane and scored with roughly three seconds remaining.

TCC’s final heave down the court was picked off at midcourt.

Reaves leads all scorers with 16 points. Dennis scored 12, including the three most important of Trotwood’s season to send the game to overtime.

FOURTH QUARTER

More late game magic taking place at the state tournament at UD Arena

Darius Dennis hit a three at the buzzer to send the game into overtime at 49

TCC built its lead to 10 before Trotwood had a short surge to cut its deficit in half Midway through the period

TCC hit one of two free throws with 15 seconds left to keep the open for Trotwood.

THIRD QUARTER

TCC heads to the fourth quarter ahead 39-32.

TCC took its first lead of the game, 29-28, off a Kingston Sito jumper right at the midway point of the period.

Trotwood only made one field goal over the initial six minutes of the quarter. Justyce Taylor broke free on the block for an open layup to stop a 7-0 TCC run and Reaves got a steal and fast break layup to tie the score seconds later.

After a 2-for-6 start at the free throw line, the Fighting Irish found some better success in the final two minutes with three straight makes to go back in front as they scored the final seven points of the quarter.

The only TCC player with any fouls committed is Kaeden Carruthers with three. No Trotwood player has more than two.

SECOND QUARTER

A 23-20 lead for Trotwood at the break.

Daveon Arnold leads all scorers with seven points at the break.

Trotwood jumped back into the lead with consecutive three-pointers made by Je’Carious Reaves and Arnold to go up 17-11. TCC has been stifled from getting looks inside and has needed to settle for jumpers.

The Fighting Irish were able to trade baskets for most of the period, but haven’t been able establish a rhythm on offense.

The Rams have yet to trail at any point in the game.

FIRST QUARTER

Trotwood and TCC are tied at 11 after one.

The Rams led for most of the first quarter. Reaves, Arnold and Dennis all scored. Trotwood led 7-2 early before they began missing shots from three.

TCC tied the score twice at 9 and 11 in the final minute.