Massillon is officially on the brink-of-history alert after the Tigers knocked off Lima 75-63 Saturday in the Division II semifinals at Wright State’s Nutter Center. The win pushed Massillon to 26-1 and sent the program into its first state championship game since 1937. Next up: a noon showdown Sunday with Westerville North at the University of Dayton Arena for the Division II title.
Dayton hosts the semifinals and title games
This year, the OHSAA brought the boys semifinals back to Dayton-area gyms, with Wright State’s Nutter Center handling multiple matchups and UD Arena reserved for the championship rounds. The Nutter Center offered a true neutral floor and big-arena feel as Massillon closed out Lima, giving both teams a preview of the bright lights awaiting Sunday’s finalists. Reporting on the tournament's return to Dayton and venue setup is available from Ashland Source, and the arena lists event and visitor information at Nutter Center.
Balanced scoring and clutch free throws
Massillon spread the wealth on offense, with junior Xavier Williams scoring 20 points, Gio Jackson Jr. adding 18, senior Jadyce Thigpen putting in 15 and Braylon Gamble finishing with 11. The Tigers strung together a pivotal 12-0 run, then leaned on late free throws to put Lima away. Massillon hit 11 free throws in the fourth quarter on 19 attempts and watched Lima go just 3-for-33 from beyond the arc, a cold spell that helped swing the final margin to 75-63.
The box score had some extra drama, including a fourth-quarter technical foul on Josh Hose and two free throws by Lima's Willie Foster. Those details and the game recap were reported by Cleveland.com.
Defense and free throws decided the game
Massillon’s defense spent the night chasing Lima shooters off clean looks, and all those contested threes eventually took a toll. Lima’s 3-point struggles helped keep the Tigers within striking distance and, ultimately, in control. Paired with Massillon’s late-game composure at the line, what had been a six-point game with under seven minutes remaining gradually turned into a comfortable double-digit finish.
For Massillon, a win Sunday would cap an unlikely run and put the program back on a championship stage it has not occupied in decades.
The Division II championship between Massillon and Westerville North tips Sunday at noon at UD Arena. Fans and families can check the OHSAA for tickets, start times and travel details. A sizable northeastern Ohio crowd is expected as Massillon chases its first state-title game victory in nearly a century.
