Pickerington Central ends Centerville's 45-game win streak, celebrates first state championship since 2012
By Ryan Isley | Photos by Ben Jackson
DAYTON, Ohio — The stars came out to play in Dayton on Sunday night in the OHSAA Division I state championship game.
But the stars for Pickerington Central were just a little brighter when it mattered and led the Tigers to a 55-48 win over previously unbeaten Centerville.
Devin Royal and Sonny Styles took over in the fourth quarter, scoring 12 of the first 14 points for Pickerington Central, and the Tigers needed each bucket in a back-and-forth contest.
After Centerville went on a 12-1 run to end the third quarter and cut what was once an 11-point lead down to two with one quarter left in the season, Royal scored the first six of the quarter to offset baskets on the other end by Centerville.
“We tried to take it calm because they came back,” Royal said. “We had to try not to force anything and let the game come to us.”
Royal scored most of his points on the inside, where the Elks had trouble dealing with the size of the 6-foot-6 junior.
“I thought I had to be the aggressor because I didn’t think anyone on that team could really guard me,” Royal said. “Me being aggressive helped the team out a lot.”
While Styles had not yet scored in the game, he had an assist and a blocked shot early in the fourth quarter to help set the tone. And then when Royal was forced to the bench with four fouls, Styles got the next two baskets for the Tigers.
“I wasn’t doing too well on the offensive side for most of the game,” Styles said. “My teammates kept my mind on the game, and I got a couple key buckets down the stretch.”
Royal and Styles getting the baskets for the Tigers was exactly what coach Eric Krueger wanted with the game on the line. They planned it out, and the players executed it to perfection.
“I wanted to put Devin and Sonny in good spots offensively to make a play,” Krueger said. "I wanted them to be in a good position to score around the basket.”
Royal scored 16 of his game-high 20 points in the second half, while Josh Harlan scored 11 for the Tigers, including a 3-pointer that stretched the lead to 11 in the third quarter and two clutch free throws in the final 30 seconds.
Styles had just those four points, but they came in the most crucial moments.
“I felt like the leaders of this team this year from Day One were Sonny Styles, Devin Royal and Josh Harlan,” Krueger said. “I felt like those guys really came through for us tonight.”
When people came in thinking Centerville was going to win because the Elks had won 45 in a row and were looking to complete an undefeated season, the Central players didn’t let that get to them.
“We know how talented we are, and we know what we are capable of,” Styles said. “Coach E told us to be us, and that’s what we did.”
What they did was play good defense on Centerville's three stars.
Gabe Cupps scored 14 to pace Centerville, while Rich Rolf had 12 and Tom House had 11. But the Central defense kept them in check most of the night as the trio shot a combined 14-for-37.
As if having Centerville chasing perfection wasn’t enough, the Elks also had a large crowd since the school is just 10 minutes away from University of Dayton Arena. That didn’t bother the Tigers.
“We love the fans and we love the adversity,” Royal said. “It was great.”
When it was all over and the Tigers were cutting down the nets, Styles still hadn’t soaked it all in.
He had been talking all week about how this was his last high school sporting event after reclassifying to the class of 2022 in order to enroll early at Ohio State to play football.
“It’s pretty crazy. I can’t believe we just won,” Styles said. “It’s a great way to end a high school career, for sure.”
Not only is Styles’ high school career over, but so is the 10-year state championship drought for Pickerington Central.
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