For the second straight season, the Gilmour Academy varsity boys basketball team produced a magical postseason run. This year's version saw Gilmour progress even further than last season as the Lancers finished as OHSAA state runners-up.
It marks the second runner-up finish in program history, and the first in 30 years, and is the first time Gilmour achieved the feat at the Division II level.
After defeating two Associated Press top-10 teams en route to this year's Final Four, the Lancers produced one more upset. Gilmour defeated Waverly High School, ranked eighth in the season's final Division II poll, 58-43 in last weekend's state semifinal at the University of Dayton Arena.
As it had in earlier games this postseason, Gilmour came out of the gates on fire in the state semifinal. The Lancers scored 13 of the game's first 15 points, with eight coming via a fast-break opportunity.
Waverly did respond by scoring the next nine points to cut its deficit to just two early in the second quarter. The teams would find themselves tied at 20 with under four minutes until halftime.
The Lancers then produced their second big run of the game, and it was a decisive one. Gilmour scored 14 consecutive points, 10 of which came before halftime to give GA a 30-20 lead at the break. The Lancers hit four three-pointers during the surge, which put them in control for good.
Waverly pulled within seven points near the beginning of the fourth quarter, but the Tigers would get no closer. Gilmour closed out the game comfortably as it led by double digits for the final four minutes of the game.
Brandon Rose '23 tallied a game-high 23 points courtesy of a highly efficient offensive performance. He shot 7-of-10 from the field, including 4-of-5 from downtown, while also leading the team with six rebounds.
Adisa Molton II '23 finished with 14 points and five rebounds while Ryan Mueller '22 added nine points, four rebounds and two blocks.
Nathan Flaherty '22 chipped in with six points and three boards while Dorjan Flowers '23 had a game-high five assists along with four points.
Gilmour had an 18-6 lead in fast-break points and only committed five turnovers during the game. The Lancers held the Tigers to just 34 percent shooting for the game (17-of-50).
In the state title game, Gilmour went up against No. 1 St. Vincent-St. Mary High School, the most successful boys basketball program in Ohio history. The Fighting Irish claimed a 63-35 victory over the Lancers. Gilmour trailed just 26-19 early in the third quarter, but a lengthy scoring drought ended GA's title hopes.
Mueller led Gilmour with nine points and five rebounds in the championship contest while Flowers added seven points, four assists and three rebounds.
While Gilmour came up one win short of the ultimate goal, a second straight deep run in March will certainly continue to draw increased attention to the Lancer program. Gilmour is one of just two Division II schools in the state, along with St. Vincent-St. Mary, that reached the Elite Eight in each of the past two seasons.
#GoGA #WeAreGilmour