The Falcons (25-2) became the first program to win four consecutive state titles, never trailing in a 50-36 win over Academy on March 21 at University of Dayton Arena.
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It was much closer last season, when Lutheran East won 53-49. This time, the Vikings (24-5) struggled offensively throughout, falling behind 12-1 and never getting closer than five points the rest of the way while seeing their 20-game winning streak snapped.
Columbus Academy's Jason Singleton drives to the basket during their state championship game against Lutheran East on Saturday, March 21, 2026.
(Tony Tribble/Columbus Dispatch)
Columbus Academy head coach Jeff Warstler reacts during their state championship game against Lutheran East on Saturday, March 21, 2026.
(Tony Tribble/Columbus Dispatch)
Columbus Academy's Rey Perez battles for a rebound during their state championship game against Lutheran East on Saturday, March 21, 2026.
(Tony Tribble/Columbus Dispatch)
Columbus Academy's Micheal Tishkoff (10) drives to the basket during their state championship game against Lutheran East on Saturday, March 21, 2026.
(Tony Tribble/Columbus Dispatch)
Columbus Academy's Rey Perez drives to the basket against Lutheran East forward Bryce Irby during their state championship game Saturday, March 21, 2026.
(Tony Tribble/Columbus Dispatch)
Columbus Academy's Will Bundy (11) battles for a rebound against Lutheran East's Bryce Irby (3) during their state championship game Saturday, March 21, 2026. (Special to to Dispatch/Tony Tribble)
(Tony Tribble/Columbus Dispatch)
Columbus Academy's Charles Rubey (2) shoots over Lutheran East's Bryce Irby during their state championship game Saturday, March 21, 2026. (Special to to Dispatch/Tony Tribble)
(Tony Tribble/Columbus Dispatch)
Columbus Academy's Micheal Tishkoff (10) battles Lutheran East's Devontey Perkins (15) and Ocho Davis for a rebound during their state championship game Saturday, March 21, 2026. (Special to to Dispatch/Tony Tribble)
(Tony Tribble/Columbus Dispatch)
Columbus Academy's Rey Perez (55) shoots the ball over Lutheran East's Chris Hill and Devontey Perkins (15) during their state championship game Saturday, March 21, 2026. (Special to to Dispatch/Tony Tribble)
(Tony Tribble/Columbus Dispatch)
Columbus Academy's Jason Singleton dunks during their state championship game against Lutheran East on Saturday, March 21, 2026.(Special to to Dispatch/Tony Tribble)
(Tony Tribble/Columbus Dispatch)
Columbus Academy head coach Jeff Warstler holds the runner-up trophy after their state championship game against Lutheran East on Saturday, March 21, 2026.(Special to to Dispatch/Tony Tribble)
(Tony Tribble/Columbus Dispatch)
Columbus Academy's Mitch Zumberge (3) is fouled by Lutheran East's Bryce Irby (3) during their state championship game Saturday, March 21, 2026.(Special to to Dispatch/Tony Tribble)
(Tony Tribble/Columbus Dispatch)
Columbus Academy's Jason Singleton (5) and Micheal Tishkoff (10) battle Lutheran East players Bryce Irby and Chris Hill for a rebound during their state championship game Saturday, March 21, 2026. (Special to to Dispatch/Tony Tribble)
(Tony Tribble/Columbus Dispatch)
Columbus Academy's Charles Rubey drives to the basket during their state championship game against Lutheran East on Saturday March 21, 2026.(Special to to Dispatch/Tony Tribble)
(Tony Tribble/Columbus Dispatch)
Columbus Academy's Charles Rubey (2) battles Lutheran East's Bryce Irby (3) for a rebound during their state championship game Saturday, March 21, 2026. (Special to to Dispatch/Tony Tribble)
(Tony Tribble/Columbus Dispatch)
Columbus Academy's Charles Rubey drives to the basket during their state championship game against Lutheran East on Saturday, March 21, 2026. (Special to to Dispatch/Tony Tribble)
(Tony Tribble/Columbus Dispatch)
Columbus Academy's Charles Rubey (2) drives to the basket against Lutheran East's Chris Hill during their state championship game Saturday, March 21, 2026.
(Tony Tribble/Columbus Dispatch)
Columbus Academy's Mitch Zumberge (23) drives to the basket during their state championship game against Lutheran East on Saturday, March 21, 2026. (Special to to Dispatch/Tony Tribble)
(Tony Tribble/Columbus Dispatch)
Columbus Academy's Charles Rubey drives to the basket during their state championship game against Lutheran East on Saturday, March 21, 2026. (Special to to Dispatch/Tony Tribble)
(Tony Tribble/Columbus Dispatch)
Columbus Academy's Will Bundy (14) walks off the court after their state championship game against Lutheran East on Saturday, March 21, 2026. (Special to to Dispatch/Tony Tribble)
(Tony Tribble/Columbus Dispatch)
Columbus Academy's players Rey Perez, Mitch Zumberge, Jason Singleton and Charles Rubey after their state championship game loss to Lutheran East on Saturday, March 21, 2026. (Special to to Dispatch/Tony Tribble)
(Tony Tribble/Columbus Dispatch)
Columbus Academy basketball team with the runner-up trophy after their state championship game against Lutheran East on Saturday, March 21, 2026.(Special to to Dispatch/Tony Tribble)
(Tony Tribble/Columbus Dispatch)
1/22
OHSAA basketball state final, Columbus Academy loses to Lutheran East
Columbus Academy's Jason Singleton drives to the basket during their state championship game against Lutheran East on Saturday, March 21, 2026.
(Tony Tribble/Columbus Dispatch)
1/22
OHSAA basketball state final, Columbus Academy loses to Lutheran East
Columbus Academy's Jason Singleton drives to the basket during their state championship game against Lutheran East on Saturday, March 21, 2026.
(Tony Tribble/Columbus Dispatch)
2/22
OHSAA basketball state final, Columbus Academy loses to Lutheran East
Columbus Academy head coach Jeff Warstler reacts during their state championship game against Lutheran East on Saturday, March 21, 2026.
(Tony Tribble/Columbus Dispatch)
3/22
OHSAA basketball state final, Columbus Academy loses to Lutheran East
Columbus Academy's Rey Perez battles for a rebound during their state championship game against Lutheran East on Saturday, March 21, 2026.
(Tony Tribble/Columbus Dispatch)
4/22
OHSAA basketball state final, Columbus Academy loses to Lutheran East
Columbus Academy's Micheal Tishkoff (10) drives to the basket during their state championship game against Lutheran East on Saturday, March 21, 2026.
(Tony Tribble/Columbus Dispatch)
5/22
OHSAA basketball state final, Columbus Academy loses to Lutheran East
Columbus Academy's Rey Perez drives to the basket against Lutheran East forward Bryce Irby during their state championship game Saturday, March 21, 2026.
(Tony Tribble/Columbus Dispatch)
6/22
OHSAA basketball state final, Columbus Academy loses to Lutheran East
Columbus Academy's Will Bundy (11) battles for a rebound against Lutheran East's Bryce Irby (3) during their state championship game Saturday, March 21, 2026. (Special to to Dispatch/Tony Tribble)
(Tony Tribble/Columbus Dispatch)
7/22
OHSAA basketball state final, Columbus Academy loses to Lutheran East
Columbus Academy's Charles Rubey (2) shoots over Lutheran East's Bryce Irby during their state championship game Saturday, March 21, 2026. (Special to to Dispatch/Tony Tribble)
(Tony Tribble/Columbus Dispatch)
8/22
OHSAA basketball state final, Columbus Academy loses to Lutheran East
Columbus Academy's Micheal Tishkoff (10) battles Lutheran East's Devontey Perkins (15) and Ocho Davis for a rebound during their state championship game Saturday, March 21, 2026. (Special to to Dispatch/Tony Tribble)
(Tony Tribble/Columbus Dispatch)
9/22
OHSAA basketball state final, Columbus Academy loses to Lutheran East
Columbus Academy's Rey Perez (55) shoots the ball over Lutheran East's Chris Hill and Devontey Perkins (15) during their state championship game Saturday, March 21, 2026. (Special to to Dispatch/Tony Tribble)
(Tony Tribble/Columbus Dispatch)
10/22
OHSAA basketball state final, Columbus Academy loses to Lutheran East
Columbus Academy's Jason Singleton dunks during their state championship game against Lutheran East on Saturday, March 21, 2026.(Special to to Dispatch/Tony Tribble)
(Tony Tribble/Columbus Dispatch)
11/22
OHSAA basketball state final, Columbus Academy loses to Lutheran East
Columbus Academy head coach Jeff Warstler holds the runner-up trophy after their state championship game against Lutheran East on Saturday, March 21, 2026.(Special to to Dispatch/Tony Tribble)
(Tony Tribble/Columbus Dispatch)
12/22
OHSAA basketball state final, Columbus Academy loses to Lutheran East
Columbus Academy's Mitch Zumberge (3) is fouled by Lutheran East's Bryce Irby (3) during their state championship game Saturday, March 21, 2026.(Special to to Dispatch/Tony Tribble)
(Tony Tribble/Columbus Dispatch)
13/22
OHSAA basketball state final, Columbus Academy loses to Lutheran East
Columbus Academy's Jason Singleton (5) and Micheal Tishkoff (10) battle Lutheran East players Bryce Irby and Chris Hill for a rebound during their state championship game Saturday, March 21, 2026. (Special to to Dispatch/Tony Tribble)
(Tony Tribble/Columbus Dispatch)
14/22
OHSAA basketball state final, Columbus Academy loses to Lutheran East
Columbus Academy's Charles Rubey drives to the basket during their state championship game against Lutheran East on Saturday March 21, 2026.(Special to to Dispatch/Tony Tribble)
(Tony Tribble/Columbus Dispatch)
15/22
OHSAA basketball state final, Columbus Academy loses to Lutheran East
Columbus Academy's Charles Rubey (2) battles Lutheran East's Bryce Irby (3) for a rebound during their state championship game Saturday, March 21, 2026. (Special to to Dispatch/Tony Tribble)
(Tony Tribble/Columbus Dispatch)
16/22
OHSAA basketball state final, Columbus Academy loses to Lutheran East
Columbus Academy's Charles Rubey drives to the basket during their state championship game against Lutheran East on Saturday, March 21, 2026. (Special to to Dispatch/Tony Tribble)
(Tony Tribble/Columbus Dispatch)
17/22
OHSAA basketball state final, Columbus Academy loses to Lutheran East
Columbus Academy's Charles Rubey (2) drives to the basket against Lutheran East's Chris Hill during their state championship game Saturday, March 21, 2026.
(Tony Tribble/Columbus Dispatch)
18/22
OHSAA basketball state final, Columbus Academy loses to Lutheran East
Columbus Academy's Mitch Zumberge (23) drives to the basket during their state championship game against Lutheran East on Saturday, March 21, 2026. (Special to to Dispatch/Tony Tribble)
(Tony Tribble/Columbus Dispatch)
19/22
OHSAA basketball state final, Columbus Academy loses to Lutheran East
Columbus Academy's Charles Rubey drives to the basket during their state championship game against Lutheran East on Saturday, March 21, 2026. (Special to to Dispatch/Tony Tribble)
(Tony Tribble/Columbus Dispatch)
20/22
OHSAA basketball state final, Columbus Academy loses to Lutheran East
Columbus Academy's Will Bundy (14) walks off the court after their state championship game against Lutheran East on Saturday, March 21, 2026. (Special to to Dispatch/Tony Tribble)
(Tony Tribble/Columbus Dispatch)
21/22
OHSAA basketball state final, Columbus Academy loses to Lutheran East
Columbus Academy's players Rey Perez, Mitch Zumberge, Jason Singleton and Charles Rubey after their state championship game loss to Lutheran East on Saturday, March 21, 2026. (Special to to Dispatch/Tony Tribble)
(Tony Tribble/Columbus Dispatch)
22/22
OHSAA basketball state final, Columbus Academy loses to Lutheran East
Columbus Academy basketball team with the runner-up trophy after their state championship game against Lutheran East on Saturday, March 21, 2026.(Special to to Dispatch/Tony Tribble)
(Tony Tribble/Columbus Dispatch)
Still, Academy coach Jeff Warstler praised his team's effort.
"That never-quit, never-say-die attitude is what the program is," Warstler said. "It's what our culture demands of us. We'll never stop, and there was no change in anyone's face. We don't do a lot of scoreboard looking. We're just trying to win the next play."
The Falcons led 28-10 at halftime and were ahead by as many as 24 points in the second half.
Columbus Academy senior Jason Singleton, an Ohio Mr. Basketball finalist, had 17 points and six rebounds in the state final.
In his final game at Academy, Ohio Mr. Basketball finalist and Harvard signee Jason Singleton had 17 points and six rebounds.
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"I'm just grateful for it all," Singleton said. "To be able to come out here, get back here [to the state final] two times in a row. I had a good four-year career, won a lot of games with coach Warstler."
Warstler praised Singleton's contributions throughout his career.
"Jason Singleton is a superstar, and it's not just on the basketball court," Warstler said. "When your leadership looks like that then it's easy for guys to want to step in and follow. It makes my job a lot easier. We just come to work every day. Every day is a getting better day. We lean into some slogans an awful lot."
Columbus Academy's players Rey Perez, Mitch Zumberge, Jason Singleton and Charles Rubey react to their loss in the Division V state final.
Lutheran East was led by Devontey Perkins, who finished with 18 points and 12 rebounds. Dylan Ziegler added 14 points.
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Academy shot 15 of 47 from the field and 1 of 9 from 3-point range. Singleton finished 7 of 14, including 1 of 3 on 3s.
"Their overall defensive pressure made a difference," Warstler said. "It's not something we didn't know. We certainly were aware of what they could do. It wasn't as if they were turning us over at every curve. ... It was keeping us [from] running the things that are successful for us, and it wears on you a little bit."
Academy played its final three games without senior forward Gabe Davis-Ray, who is on a school trip to Spain.
Although they lose seven players to graduation, the Vikings will have some key returnees, including 6-foot-8 sophomore center Mitch Zumberge. He had 8 points and nine rebounds in the state final.
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"I'm super grateful for my teammates," Zumberge said. "My teammates pushed me every single day to be a better person on and off the court. They mean so much to me and they really helped develop me as a player and a person."
