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Africentric outlasts Centennial for City League boys basketball title
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- Africentric outlasts Centennial for City League boys basketball title
With his starting five back from last season, Africentric boys basketball coach Michael Bates hoped his team's experience would pay dividends in its City League title game matchup against Centennial.
That is exactly what happened.
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Playing in the program's fourth City final in five seasons, the veteran Nubians withstood a rally by Centennial and pulled away in the fourth quarter for a 65-51 win Feb. 21 at East .
"This one means a lot because we were here last year and we have the same starting five," Bates said. "You could see the growth this year in the team because last year we couldn't finish this game and win it. This year we were able to face some adversity and win this game. I'm super proud of them."
Africentric (17-4) erased the memory of City final losses to Northland in 2025 and 2023 while capturing its first championship since 2022 and third overall. The Nubians also spoiled the first title game appearance for Centennial (18-4).
"We got challenged today," Centennial coach Shawn Williams said. "They threw a punch right out of the gate and we had to respond. We had to respond multiple times. They threw more punches and landed a couple more than we did. That's what got them the win, but I'm proud of our guys, the season, the history, the amount of tradition that they've created with this senior class."
Africentric celebrates after defeating Centennial in the City League boys basketball final Feb. 21 at East.
Led by senior Joshua Smith, a Cincinnati football signee, Africentric raced out to a 17-4 lead and 20-11 advantage after one quarter before Centennial began its comeback.
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The Stars, who never led, tied the game at 22 on senior Angelo Diedalis' dunk with 2:50 left in the second quarter.
Senior Derron Gray Jr. , a Bowling Green football signee, responded with two baskets as Afrcientric took a 26-25 lead into halftime.
With the Nubians ahead 40-36 after three quarters, sophomore Raymond King Jr. came off the bench to hit two 3-pointers, helping Africentric build a 50-38 lead with 5:10 remaining.
Two 3-pointers from Diedalis helped Centennial pull to within 52-44, but the Stars couldn't get any closer.
Joshua Smith (1) led Africentric to the City League championship Feb. 21, scoring a game-high 29 points in a 65-51 win over Centennial.
Smith finished with a game-high 29 points and Gray added 18.
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"This feels great," Smith said. "That loss [to Northland] last season hit hard. After losing that game, to come in here with another blessed opportunity and take advantage of our opportunity, it's special. I'm super blessed."
Diedalis led Centennial with 20 points and sophomore Cam Johnson scored 15.
"We wanted to win, but to be the first team in school history to get here, especially with all the work we put in, it's sad it all ends here," Diedalis said.
Centennial's Angelo Diedalis (4) was one of two central Ohio players named first-team all-state in Division III.
Africentric reached the final by winning the City-South at 13-1 , a game ahead of Walnut Ridge. Centennial went 14-0 in the City-North, finishing two games ahead of Northland.
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Both teams will now prepare for the postseason.
Africentric is seeded second in the Division V district tournament and hosts No. 14 Amanda-Clearcreek in the first round Feb. 28.
"We have some maturity physically and mentally, and it's helping us be prepared for trying to make a deep run in the tournament," Bates said.
Centennial is seeded third in Division III and hosts No. 12 Hamilton Township in the first round Feb. 27.
"It's just about getting back to work Monday and play on Friday," Williams said. "Our mindset would have been the same whether we won today or not – we still have to get ready for the tournament. This is a big event for the city, but our guys have to bounce back and still finish the season."
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High school sports reporter Frank DiRenna can be reached at fdirenna@dispatch.com and at @DispatchFrank on X.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: OHSAA basketball | Africentric wins Columbus City League championship
