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Akron, Ohio – 2024 will feature a new champion in Division I, as Garfield Heights knocked off Archbishop Hoban, 52-43, in the Akron/Toledo regional semifinal at James A. Rhodes Arena on the University of Akron campus.
Hoban jumped out to an 11-8 lead in the first quarter, behind the efforts of senior guard Jonas Nichols and freshman guard John Johnson. Johnson had two of the Knights’ three triples in the stanza, and Nichols had the other.
The Garfield Heights Bulldogs took the lead in the second quarter, thanks to the efforts of CJ Little and Marcus Johnson. Little had a buzzer-beating jumper to end the first quarter, and a pair of steals in the second. Johnson had nine points in the first half to help Garfield Heights’ efforts, as they took a 27-22 lead at the half.
The Bulldogs would maintain the lead, 38-33, after three quarters. Hoban would cut their deficit to three points a couple of times, as sophomore forward Sam Greer had a couple of baskets on the inside.
Garfield Heights led 46-43 with about 75 seconds to before CJ Little found Canisius commit Carter Jackson for a layup to push the lead to 48-43, and the Bulldogs held on from there. DeAndre Jones would punctuate the game with a pair of late slam dunks, as Garfield Heights advanced to their second straight regional final.
Dynamic sophomore guard Marcus Johnson finished with 17 points, followed by senior guard CJ Little with 13, and senior forward and Kent State commit DeAndre Jones with 11 points and ten rebounds. Johnson also finished 7-8 at the charity stripe.
Hoban was led by freshman guard John Johnson, who finished with 17 points, followed by senior guard and Kent State commit Jonas Nichols, who finished with 15 points.
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