OHSAA Boys Basketball District Semifinals

Tuesday, March 3, 2026

Urbana 53, Oakwood 50

@ Xenia High School

Late-game magic was on full display Tuesday night as the Urbana Hillclimbers punched their ticket to the District Final with a dramatic 53–50 win over Oakwood at Xenia High School.

Drew Dixon etched his name into another chapter in Urbana basketball history, drilling a game-winning three at the buzzer to send the Hillclimbers on and end a back-and-forth tournament battle in emphatic fashion.

The game was never one-sided, showcasing the fight from both teams throughout the night.

Both squads traded buckets early. Urbana used a mini 5–0 run to grab a slim 14–12 lead after the first quarter, but Oakwood tightened up defensively in the second and took a 24–23 lead into the locker room.

Urbana began to create separation in the third, stringing together late stops and timely scores to take a four-point advantage, 38–34, heading into the final frame.

The Hillclimbers maintained that cushion for most of the fourth, until Oakwood turned up its press defense and forced several costly Urbana turnovers. With just over a minute remaining, the Lumberjacks buried a three-pointer to cut the lead to one. Moments later, the press paid off again, forcing a turnover and earning a trip to the line. Oakwood went 1-for-2, tying the game at 50 with about 45 seconds left.

Urbana came down the floor content to hold for the final shot. Head coach Drew Dixon called a timeout with under 15 seconds remaining to draw something up.

With fouls to give, Oakwood committed one to prevent a clean look. That set up a baseline inbound with three seconds to play.

Grady Lantz fired the pass into the corner to Dixon, who sold a shot fake, took one dribble left, and let it fly. As the horn sounded, the shot splashed through the net, sealing a thrilling win for Urbana as Dixon’s teammates mobbed him at halfcourt.

Coach Dixon, along with the game’s hero, his son Drew, recount what led to the final play and give their thoughts on a thrilling contest.

Urbana was led by Grady Lantz with 18 points, Drew Dixon with 17, and Kaden Underwood with 10.

The Hillclimbers advance to the District Final against powerhouse Wyoming on Sunday, March 8, at 3:00 p.m. The game will be played at the Cintas Center on the campus of Xavier University.

Preble Shawnee 45, Indian Lake 43

@ Bethel High School

The Indian Lake Lakers’ postseason run came to an end Tuesday night as a late comeback fell just short in a 45–43 loss to Preble Shawnee at Bethel High School.

The Arrows opened the game on a 10–0 run across the majority of the first quarter, controlling the pace as Indian Lake struggled to find an offensive rhythm. The Lakers attempted just three shots in the opening quarter and trailed 12–5 after one.

The game turned into a battle of quarters, as Indian Lake responded in the second. The Lakers found their flow offensively, scoring 12 points, but Preble Shawnee maintained a slim edge and took a 20–17 lead into halftime.

Preble Shawnee regained momentum coming out of the break, opening the third quarter on a 6–0 run as the Arrow defense once again locked down. The Arrows led 31–22 at the end of three.

That momentum carried into the fourth, with Preble Shawnee building a lead as large as 16. Then Indian Lake caught fire.

In a gutsy effort to extend its season, the Lakers poured in 21 fourth-quarter points, eventually tying the game at 43. However, a costly foul sent Preble Shawnee to the line, where the Arrows converted both free throws.

Indian Lake inbounded with under five seconds remaining, but stepped on the end line with about one second left. A quick foul gave Preble Shawnee two more free throws. Both were missed, but a desperation heave off the rebound did not fall.

Preble Shawnee moves on with the 45–43 win.

Indian Lake was led by Avery Pequignot with 23 points. Brody Reisinger added 13, Cooper Hall finished with five, and Colin Bendler tallied four.

West Liberty-Salem 77, Greeneview 49

@ Bethel High School

In a matchup of OHC opponents, West Liberty-Salem used a dominant second half to pull away from Greeneview, 77–49, and advance to the District Final.

The Tigers grabbed an early advantage, but Greeneview kept pace in a competitive first quarter. West Liberty-Salem held a 20–14 lead after one.

The second quarter remained back-and-forth. The Tigers had chances to pull away, but the Rams continued to battle, trimming the margin before halftime. West Liberty-Salem led 36–32 at the break.

Needing adjustments, head coach Darrin Leichty’s message sparked his team. The Tigers came out firing in the second half, locking in defensively and holding Greeneview to just five points in the third quarter. The lead grew to 52–37 entering the fourth.

West Liberty-Salem never let up.

The Tigers exploded for 25 points in the final frame, pulling away for the 77–49 victory.

WL-S head coach Darrin Leichty assesses his team’s performance after the game.

Darrin Leichty recalls what he told his team in the locker room to spark the monster second half and preview the District Final matchup.

West Liberty-Salem was led by Brevin Louden and Beckett Sullivan with 19 points apiece. Troy Christison added 11, Sutton Wilcoxon scored nine, and Carson Poppe finished with six.

The Tigers advance to the District Final to face Summit Country Day on Saturday, March 7, at 10:00 a.m. at Middletown High School.

Waynesville 70, Graham 28

@ Northmont High School, Monday, March 2