DAYTON - When Worthington Christian gained a final possession Friday with the game tied at 45 against Taft and 34 seconds on the clock, coach Kevin Weakley knew exactly what he was going to do.
So did junior D.J. Moore and so did the 1,605 fans permitted into the University of Dayton Arena.
Already with 18 points, Moore dribbled, briefly passed, got the ball back, rubbed Taft's Brandon Miles off on a pick by Tommy Anthony then sank a jumper just to the right of the free-throw line. The clock hit triple zeroes as the ball fell through.
"It was a blur," Moore said of the heroic hoop. "I saw the time and I'm like, dang, that's game! It's probably one of the biggest shots I've hit in my career here."
Just as he had dreamed the night before. A dogpile at the other end of the court ensued as Worthington Christian defeated Taft 47-45.
More:Glory Days: Taft was Ohio DIII state basketball champ in 2011, can it happen again?
Moore, a Liberty University commit, put on quite a show with 20 points and 10 rebounds. At 6-foot-3, he wasn't the tallest on the floor, but on this day he was the most effective.
"I learned a few years ago in the regional tournament that you do not do anything but give the ball to your man," Worthington Christian coach Kevin Weakley said of the final strategy. "Obviously, he made the play of his career."
Said Taft coach Demarco Bradley, "Sometimes their better is better than your better. He made a play. We got caught in a switch and the kid made a play. He does old-school basketball, he has a nice mid-range game."
Worthington Christian goes to 28-1 with Taft's season ending at 16-5. The 45 points were the Senators' lowest output of the season.
The Warriors of Westerville had been holding opponents to just 40 points per game and that defense was on display on the big stage in Dayton. Sophomore Rayvon Griffith, the Southwest District DIII Player of the Year, led Taft with seven points at the half, but could only muster one bucket in the second half. It gave the Senators a brief 45-43 lead, but it would be his and Taft's last basket of the season.
With 54 seconds left, Moore tied the game, then a steal by Tyler Kindberg gave Worthington Christian its final winning possession.
Taft had not lost since dropping a game at Division II Woodward Jan. 29. Coach Bradley loses five seniors but among those that played Friday that return are Griffith, Brandon Cromer, and freshman D.J. Jackson.
Cromer led Taft with 12 points, with Jaymarco Berry scoring 10 and Griffith held to nine. It was the first game all season the 6-foot-6 sophomore was held to single digits.
"Kobe Buford and Tommy Anthony did a really great job," Moore said of his teammates assigned to guard Griffith. "They locked in defensively and decided to lock him up."
After the celebration Moore visited a frustrated Griffith on the floor, telling him he was good and would be back.
"I'm hurting inside because I really wanted to send our seniors out the right way," Griffith said. "We'll be back next year and it will be a different story."
Taft led most of the first half although Worthington Christian twice had chances to change momentum. Moore missed an open lay-up to end the first frame and a step-back 3-pointer to end the half. The Warriors had a brief lead late in the half but Dylan Britten's 3-pointer gave Taft the two-point halftime edge.
By the third frame, the Warriors held a 37-36 advantage which extended to five. Yaaco Nelson gave Taft a brief lead midway through the quarter but the Warriors responded as they had most of the game. Griffith's final hoop came with 1:18 remaining but Taft wouldn't score again.
Worthington Christian plays Cleveland Heights Lutheran East Sunday at 2 p.m. for the Division III championship back at the University of Dayton Arena.
TAFT 11 13 12 9 45
WORTHINGTON CHRISTIAN 9 13 15 10 47
T - Nelson 4 0 8 Griffith 4 1 9 Berry 3 1 10 Britten 1 1 4 Miles 1 0 2 Cromer 5 1 12
W - Moore 8 2 20 buford 1 0 3 Kindberg 4 3 11 Johnson 3 0 6 Hazelwood 3 1 7
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