Able to shoot with either hand and lethal from 3-point range, Kennard’s best quality was an aw-shucks demeanor that made him a fan favorite at any gymnasium he lit up.
It all came to an end when Dunbar stunned Franklin 77-76 in overtime in a greatly anticipated Division II regional final at UD Arena in mid-March. What couldn’t be undone was the impact “Lukemania” had that ensured standing room-only crowds and bonus proceeds at host schools during a 2011-15 window of school-boy basketball wonderment.
“It’s been a heck of a run,” Franklin coach Brian Bales said. “Nothing surprises me anymore. When you got No. 10 (Kennard) in your locker room, you’ve always got a chance. I’m so proud for our school and our program. This is off the chart.”
Here’s mostly other area state championship highlights from 2015:
FEBRUARY
Springboro girls swimming: No one did it better in the D-I state meet at C.T. Branin Natatorium in Canton than junior Hannah Whiteley. She won the 100-yard backstroke (52.95), was second in the 100 butterfly, and swam on the fifth-place 400 free relay and sixth-place 200 medley relay. That earned her the most outstanding performer.
Centerville girls diving: Senior Katie Polk vaulted from 13th the previous season to win the D-I state diving competition (524.95 points). Centerville tied Mason for third as a team and Springboro was fifth.
Alter girls diving: Junior Claire Schuermann successfully defended her D-II state title (483.35).
Oakwood boys swimming: Senior Jackson Higgins set a state tourney record in the D-II 200 freestyle (1:37.57) and led the Lumberjacks to third as a team. Higgins also won the 500 freestyle (4:27.05).
Xenia Christian boys swimming: sophomore Eric Knowles won the D-II 200 individual medley at state (1:51.64).
MARCH
Graham wrestling: Here's some not-so-breaking news, the Falcons won a D-II state team title. As usual, Graham had it wrapped up before the finals matches at the Schott, beating runner-up Toledo Central Catholic 185.5-99. It also was Graham's 15th straight title, just two short of the Gates Mills Hawken girls swim team as the all-time Ohio record for any sport.
Junior Alex Marinelli won at 160 pounds, which gives him a chance to be a rare four-time state champ should he also win in 2016. Also winning individual titles for Graham were Mitch Moore (113), Eli Seipel (126), Brent Moore (145) and Kyle Lawson (152).
Bellbrook wrestling: Cameron Kelly made certain there wasn't another Graham champion, defeating rocky Jordan 3-0 in the 132-pound state final.
Dayton Christian wrestling: Tommy Hoskins (113), David Carr (138), Logan Lacure (145) all won individual titles as the Warriors won a D-III state team title, 161.5-150.5 over runner-up Delta. But that wasn't enough for head coach Ted Bray to keep his coaching job. Within weeks his supplemental contract was not renewed.
Alter girls basketball: The Knights completed a perfect 30-0 season by beating Toledo Rogers 57-42 to win the D-II state championship at OSU's Schottenstein Center in Columbus. The Knights became the first girls team to win 30 games and also avenged a loss to Rogers in the 2014 state title game, Alter's only loss that season. Emma Bockrath had 21 points and four steals.
“I’m really excited for all four of our seniors, our team and our staff,” alter coach chris Hart said. “They couldn’t go out in a better way.”
Versailles girls basketball: Like Alter, Versailles won a D-III state title after falling in the 2014 title game. The Tigers defeated Ottawa-Glandord 49-46. Lauren Bruns led Versailles (26-4) with 16 points and eight rebounds.
“The seniors stepped up,” said Versailles coach Jacki Stonebraker.,
Fort Loramie girls basketball: The Redskins won their second D-IV state title in three seasons by beating Waterford 55-48. Junior Jessica Boerger tallied a game-high 25 points and Holly Fred added 10 points and 10 rebounds for Loramie (26-4).
“To be here when nobody expected us to be here except ourselves is great.” Said Loramie coach Carla Siegel.
Wayne boys basketball: The Warriors won their first D-I state title by beating Westerville South 65-57 at the Schott. Senior D'Mitrik trice hit a trio of 3's and tallied a game-high 19 points and junior Rodrick Caldwell added 14 points.
Wayne (26-4) beat Lakewood St. Edward 57-51 in overtime in the semifinal. In December 2014, St. Ed beat Wayne in the D-I state title football game.
“We play for all of this out here,” Warriors coach Travis Trice said. “Tehse fans, our community and most importantly our guys play for each other.”
Also making the final four were Dunbar (D-II) and Chaminade Julienne (D-III). Dunbar lost 46-45 to eventual champion Defiance and CJ lost 55-50 to state runner-up Lima Central Catholic.
Tri-Village boys basketball: Senior Colton Linkous delivered on a clear-out, knocking down the game-winner from the key with 1.2 seconds left as the Patriots beat Canal Winchester Harvest Prep 48-46 to complete a 30-0 season and win the D-IV state title.
Linkous, the state’s player of the year, had 22 points and 12 rebounds. Senior teammate Damion Cook added 15 points and 11 rebounds.
“I don’t think you go 30-0 and play perfectly for 30 straight games,” Tri-Village coach Josh Sagester said, “but what you do is find ways to win.”
Beavercreek boys bowling: The Beavers defeated GWOC rival Wayne 3-2 to win the D-I state team title at Wayne Webb's Columbus Bowl. Beavercreek team members were Jacob Dorsten, Cole Meredith, Forrest Ewing, Jaemes Chouinard, Matt Madsen, Eric Clemmer and Cole Dorsten.
Tippecanoe boys bowling: Senior Ryan Rittenhouse opened with a game-high 277 and added games of 209 and 223 for a 709 series to win the D-I state individual championship. He beat runner-up Travis Engle of Wayne by 63 pins.
Coldwater boys bowling: Cavaliers sophomore Trey James was the individual champ (652) and Coldwater swept Wooster Triway 3-0 to take the D-II boys state team title.
Coldwater girls bowling: The Cavaliers edged Napoleon 3-2 to complete a D-II sweep and win the girls team title. Coldwater defeated Kenton Ridge 3-0 in the semifinals.
JUNE
Lebanon softball: Senior pitcher Tara Trainer allowed just one hit in the D-I state championship, but it was a game-winning, walk-off homer in the bottom of the eighth inning as Ashville Teays Valley stunned the Warriors 1-0 at Firestone Stadium in Akron. Trainer was otherwise magnificent, striking out 14 and walking one. Brianna Hutchinson doubled for Lebanon's only hit. It was the only loss for Lebanon (33-1).
Triad softball: A walk-off squeeze bunt in the bottom of the eighth decided the D-IV state title game, with Shadyside beating Triad 1-0 also at Firestone. It was the fourth state runner-up title for Triad (26-4).
Dunbar boys track: The Wolverines rode wins from senior Brian Bell in the 800 meters (1:54.34) and its 4x200 relay of Keyshawn Jones, JaVonta Brown, Terryon Willis and Juan Scott (1:28.24) to win its third D-II state team title in four years, overwhelming runner-up Mentor Lake Catholic 64-40 at OSU's Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium in Columbus.
Scott was second in the 110 and 300 hurdles and ran on two relays. It was Dunbar’s ninth overall boys state title, tying Jefferson for third most all-time in the state.
Stivers boys track: Junior Tyler Johnson made a full-throttle performance, winning the D-II state 400 (47.64), placing second in the 200 (21.65) and fifth in the 100 (10.90). That makes him a state favorite in all three events this coming spring.
Madison boys track: Coty Cobb didn't just win the D-II state pole vault, he set an all-time divisional record (16-6.25). The next time he jumps it'll be for Ohio State University.
Meadowdale girls track: Senior Ja'la Henderson won the long jump (17-10.50) and joined Allison Mayfield-Brown, Jamara Pettigrew and Jalynne Smith in winning the 4x200 relay (1:42.35) but the Lions fell short in defending their D-II state team title, placing second to Findlay Libert-Benton, 45-32.
Chaminade Julienne girls track: The foursome of Jasmyne Shaw, Danielle Lewis, Lauren Pegues and Dejah Gilliam won the D-II 4x100 relay (48.70).
Alter girls track: If this sounds familiar it should, the Knights of Kyly Borton, Abby Nichols, Kristen Petrosky and Perri Bockrath won the D-II state 3,200 relay (9:22.88). The defending champ in the event, Alter has won or placed second in the eight-lap race every year but once since 2007.
Miami Valley girls track: Junior Taylor Middleton was unbeatable, winning the D-III state 100 (12.20), 200 (24.87) and long jump (18-4.50). She accounted for all of the Rams' third-place points (30).
Minster girls track: The Wildcats won just one event, setting a D-III state meet record in the 4x400 relay (3:55.16) and placed in enough other events to finish runner-up. Relay members were Cassie Jutte, Maggie Meiring, Julia Slonkosky and Cassie Francis.
Twin Valley South boys track: Junior Aaron Deaton won the D-III state shot put (56-9).
Anna boys track: Sophomore Logan Konst won the state D-III pole vault (15-8) and the Rockets were fourth as a team.
Ahmad Doucet: The Fairmont senior-to-be suffered a near-fatal injury while training at Prodigy Wrestling in Springboro with Team Ohio for the Junior National Duals team tournament at Tulsa, Okla. He had a stroke during practice, underwent a medically induced coma, was placed on a ventilator and suffered severe brain damage. He continues to recover at home.
OCTOBER
Oakwood boys golf: Connor Quigley was the second-day D-II medalist in the state tournament at NorthStar in Sunbury with a course record-setting 5-under 67. The Lumberjacks junior and Bexley's Cameron Karmia were overall D-II co-medalists with 143 totals.
Centerville girls golf: The Elks couldn't maintain a first-day lead and were passed by D-I state champ Dublin Jerome in windy and wet conditions at OSU's Gray Course in Columbus. Centerville was led by freshman Marissa Wenzler (77-78-155) and tied Green for second as a team.
NOVEMBER
Centerville girls cross country: Senior Lainey Studebaker (17:39) was first overall for the second straight year and the Elks also defended their D-I state team title in the state championships at National Trail Raceway in Hebron. The youthful Elks beat runner-up Olentangy Liberty 71-124 and averaged 18:52 for all five placing runners over the 3.1-mile course. Also figuring in Centerville's scoring were sophomore Kelli Walsh, senior Taylor Malchow, freshman Savannah Lowe and freshman Rachel Whitehead.
Tippecanoe cross country: Both the girls and boys teams were second in the D-II state meet. The Red Devils girls were paced by freshman Kaili Titley (19:20) and the boys were led by individual runner-up senior Mitchell Poynter (15:24).
Girls D-II state cross country: Alter senior Abby Nichols (18:05.4) dove over the finish line to edge Oakwood senior Mary Kate Vaughn (18:05.6) and win the individual championship. It was still a triumphant return to racing for Vaughn, who overcame a series of leg injuries. She won the 2012 state meet as a freshman (17:41), was also second as a sophomore and missed the meet her junior season.
Trotwood-Madison football: The Rams (10-4) fell to Toledo Central Catholic in a D-III state semifinal for the second straight season, 21-13, but sophomore running back Raveion Hargrove had a season for the ages. A powerful 5-feet-7 and 165 pounds, he unofficially set the all-time area single-season (including playoffs) rushing record with 3,039 yards and scored an astonishing 39 touchdowns. Averaging 11.3 yards on 270 carries, he was at his best against the best, running for 1,107 yards and 14 TDs in four playoff games.
Jackson Center girls volleyball: Junior Cassie Meyer set a D-IV state tournament record with 21 kills and junior Kameron Eichert had 19 assists as the Tigers (26-1) swept Tuscarawas Central Catholic in three games to win a state title at the Nutter Center.
Girls state volleyball: St. Henry (28-1 suffered its only loss in the D-III state championship in five games to Gate Mills Gilmour Academy. Falling in the state semifinals were Fenwick (D-II) and Miami East (D-III).
DECEMBER
Wayne football: The Warriors (14-1) became the first area team to play in consecutive D-I state finals, and like 2014, lost to Lakewood St. Edward in a fourth-quarter shootout at OSU's Ohio Stadium in Columbus, 45-35.
Coldwater football: Of all its great teams, this might have been the Cavaliers' best. They capped a perfect 15-0 season with a 35-18 defeat of Canton Central Catholic to win the D-V state title. It was the fourth straight state championship for Coldwater, which means a robust senior class suited up for 60 games and went 20-0 over four postseasons.
Marion Local football: A 22-20 setback to Kirtland in the D-VI state title game prevented the Midwestern Athletic Conference from winning three state titles for the second straight year. The Flyers (13-2) lost only at Coldwater on a last-second field goal in the regular season and were seeking their fifth consecutive state title. It also snapped the Flyers' 24-game playoff win streak.
Fort Recovery football: A longtime MAC pushover, Recovery dominated Mogadore 33-14 to complete a 13-2 season and capture an unlikely D-VII state title in joining MAC rival Coldwater as a state champ. Recovery had its first winning season and playoff appearance in 2014.
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