FAIRBORN — Lakota West High School senior L.J. Green felt the anguish and the agony.
He felt defeated, and so did the rest of the Firebirds.
“This is the worst possible feeling — the worst feeling I’ve ever felt in my entire life,” the 6-foot-6 center said. “Nothing beats this. I almost wish we would have gotten blown out.
“We had it. We were going to state. We were one second away from going to the state championship game.”
Xavier McKinney scored the game-winning basket as time expired and Reynoldsburg beat Lakota West 64-63 in the Ohio High School Athletic Association Division I state semifinals Sunday at Wright State University’s Nutter Center.
The Firebirds (21-6) concluded the season by winning nine of their last 10.
“I’m super proud of those guys,” said Lakota West coach Kelven Moss, who wrapped up his second season at the helm. “You’re disappointed you don’t win the game. You put yourself in the situation to win.”
Bryce Curry hit a 3 and Tyson Davis scored on a layup to give Lakota West a 60-59 advantage with 45.7 seconds left to play.
The Firebirds owned a 63-61 lead when Reynoldsburg’s Jordan Fisher went to the free throw line with 3.1 seconds left. Fisher made the first shot and missed the second, but Reynoldburg’s Toby Nwokolo was fouled after the second attempt.
The Pirates found McKinney wide open on the inbounds pass with 1.0 second left, and McKinney laid in the game-winner unscathed.
“It’s just little things — blown coverage at the end of the game,” Moss said. “One of things that we did talk about before the game is that we know you’re not going play perfect, but we’ve got to be sharp. And that was not a sharp moment. I’m not blaming anybody — we just didn’t have any communication.
“I hate to see it end that way. One second away from going to the state title. Missing free throws down the stretch. But I’m proud of those guys.”
Isaiah Meade-Moss had a chance to put Lakota West up by two possessions, but the senior misfired on a pair of free throws with 13.2 seconds left.
Reynoldsburg grabbed the board. Fisher drove the lane and was fouled on the way up to the hoop to set up the final 3.1 seconds.
“To be honest, that wasn’t the first option,” Reynoldsburg coach Andy Moore said of the game-winning inbounds play. “The first option was for Toby who was in the stack, and we were going to screen in for him and pop him out for a jumper.
“But that’s our second option, and obviously, they executed it. It’s important in that situation that both of those guys in that stack are out on the perimeter cut really hard. And X (Xavier) did.”
Josh Tyson scored a game-high 18 points for Lakota West, while Meade-Moss finished with 16, Green with 11 and Curry 10.
“I thought it was going to be a battle,” Moss said. “I told the guys to not expect anything to be a home run. We expected this to be a grind and to embrace the grind and finish the game. And we didn’t finish it.”
Damon Griffin scored a team-high 16 points for Reynoldsburg (26-1), which will play Olentangy Orange in the state semifinal at 8:30 p.m. on Saturday at University of Dayton Arena. Jordie Bowens had 15 points, Fisher finished with 14 and McKinney added 12.
“I thought we put ourselves in situations where we could have finished it,” Moss said. “I mean, those free throws down the stretch was crucial. But Reynoldsburg did a great job. They finished it as a veteran-led team, and that’s what happens. You’ve got some older guys in the lineup, and things like that can happen.
“We wanted to keep them poised, no panic. With the style of play with Reynoldsburg, I knew they were going to give us opportunities to get back in it. They just play fast and when they see a good one, they take one. I was hoping we could just get some stops, finish possessions and make some buckets. But we had the chance.”
Lakota West led 29-26 heading into the halftime break, but Reynoldsburg built its largest lead at 51-42 after three quarters.
It was the first trip to state for both programs, who shot 50% or better from the floor and provided a boisterous crowd with a number of thunderous dunks.
“It was an awesome run, but it just sucks to end it that way — especially a game-winner like that,” Green said. “We had the game, and they just took it away. But the run we had, it was awesome being with all my guys.
“We spend so much time together during the offseason. Coach Moss constantly had us together as a team —!whether going out to eat all the time or doing all kinds of stuff. We really built a bond, and it showed on the court.”
The Firebirds graduate seniors LJ Green, Isaiah Meade-Moss and Aaron Phillips.
