Columbus Academy beats West Muskingum in OHSAA state semi

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Columbus Academy beats West Muskingum in OHSAA state semi

Columbus Academy beats West Muskingum in OHSAA state semi

Dave Purpura, Columbus Dispatch · The Columbus Dispatch

Fri, Mar 20, 2026 ·

6 min read

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Four central Ohio boys basketball teams have made the state tournament, and Columbus Academy was both the first to take the court and the first to advance to a championship game.

Riding a 19-game winning streak, the Vikings (24-4) play a Division V semifinal defeated Zanesville West Muskingum (23-6) 59-44 on March 20 at University of Dayton Arena.

See how it happened in our live blog.

Columbus Academy's Jason Singleton (5) dunks the ball in the second half of the OHSAA state semifinal game at University of Dayton Arena on Friday, March 20, 2026 in Dayton, Ohio.
(Samantha Madar/Columbus Dispatch)

Columbus Academy's Jason Singleton (5) shoots the ball against West Muskingum in the second half of the OHSAA state semifinal game at University of Dayton Arena on Friday, March 20, 2026 in Dayton, Ohio.
(Samantha Madar/Columbus Dispatch)

Columbus Academy's Reinaldo Perez (55) attempts to shoot the ball against West Muskingum in the second half of the OHSAA state semifinal game at University of Dayton Arena on Friday, March 20, 2026 in Dayton, Ohio.
(Samantha Madar/Columbus Dispatch)

Columbus Academy's Mitchell Zumberge (23) drives the ball to the basket against West Muskingum in the first half of the OHSAA state semifinal game at University of Dayton Arena on Friday, March 20, 2026 in Dayton, Ohio.
(Samantha Madar/Columbus Dispatch)

Columbus Academy's Charles Rubey (2) drives the ball to the basket against West Muskingum's Noah Morrison (14) in the first half of the OHSAA state semifinal game at University of Dayton Arena on Friday, March 20, 2026 in Dayton, Ohio.
(Samantha Madar/Columbus Dispatch)

Columbus Academy head coach Jeff Warstler speaks to his players before the second half of the OHSAA state semifinal game at University of Dayton Arena on Friday, March 20, 2026 in Dayton, Ohio.
(Samantha Madar/Columbus Dispatch)

West Muskingum celebrates in the first half of the OHSAA state semifinal game at University of Dayton Arena on Friday, March 20, 2026 in Dayton, Ohio.
(Samantha Madar/Columbus Dispatch)

Columbus Academy's Jason Singleton (5) shoots the ball in the first half of the OHSAA state semifinal game at University of Dayton Arena on Friday, March 20, 2026 in Dayton, Ohio.
(Samantha Madar/Columbus Dispatch)

West Muskingum's Carter Smith (24) blocks the shot of Columbus Academy's Charles Rubey (2) in the first half of the OHSAA state semifinal game at University of Dayton Arena on Friday, March 20, 2026 in Dayton, Ohio.
(Samantha Madar/Columbus Dispatch)

Columbus Academy's Ryan Coats (1) dribbles the ball against West Muskingum in the second half of the OHSAA state semifinal game at University of Dayton Arena on Friday, March 20, 2026 in Dayton, Ohio.
(Samantha Madar/Columbus Dispatch)

Columbus Academy's Charles Rubey (2) passes the ball against West Muskingum in the second half of the OHSAA state semifinal game at University of Dayton Arena on Friday, March 20, 2026 in Dayton, Ohio.
(Samantha Madar/Columbus Dispatch)

Columbus Academy fans celebrate in the second half of the OHSAA state semifinal game at University of Dayton Arena on Friday, March 20, 2026 in Dayton, Ohio.
(Samantha Madar/Columbus Dispatch)

Columbus Academy head coach Jeff Warstler watches his players in the second half of the OHSAA state semifinal game at University of Dayton Arena on Friday, March 20, 2026 in Dayton, Ohio.
(Samantha Madar/Columbus Dispatch)

Columbus Academy's Reinaldo Perez (55) shoots the ball against West Muskingum in the second half of the OHSAA state semifinal game at University of Dayton Arena on Friday, March 20, 2026 in Dayton, Ohio.
(Samantha Madar/Columbus Dispatch)

Columbus Academy's Ari Worly (25) celebrates in the second half of the OHSAA state semifinal game at University of Dayton Arena on Friday, March 20, 2026 in Dayton, Ohio.
(Samantha Madar/Columbus Dispatch)

Columbus Academy's Jason Singleton (5) celebrates in the second half of the OHSAA state semifinal game at University of Dayton Arena on Friday, March 20, 2026 in Dayton, Ohio.
(Samantha Madar/Columbus Dispatch)

Columbus Academy's Reinaldo Perez (55) shoots the ball against West Muskingum's Kyle Porter (4) in the second half of the OHSAA state semifinal game at University of Dayton Arena on Friday, March 20, 2026 in Dayton, Ohio.
(Samantha Madar/Columbus Dispatch)

Columbus Academy's Reinaldo Perez (55) dribbles the ball against West Muskingum's Tavin Bennett (13) in the second half of the OHSAA state semifinal game at University of Dayton Arena on Friday, March 20, 2026 in Dayton, Ohio.
(Samantha Madar/Columbus Dispatch)

Columbus Academy's Jason Singleton (5) dribbles the ball against West Muskingum's Cade Porter (2) in the second half of the OHSAA state semifinal game at University of Dayton Arena on Friday, March 20, 2026 in Dayton, Ohio.
(Samantha Madar/Columbus Dispatch)

Columbus Academy's Charles Rubey (2) watches the ball go in the basket against West Muskingum's Carter Smith (24) in the second half of the OHSAA state semifinal game at University of Dayton Arena on Friday, March 20, 2026 in Dayton, Ohio.
(Samantha Madar/Columbus Dispatch)

Columbus Academy's Reinaldo Perez (55) celebrates in the second half of the OHSAA state semifinal game at University of Dayton Arena on Friday, March 20, 2026 in Dayton, Ohio.
(Samantha Madar/Columbus Dispatch)

Columbus Academy's Jason Singleton (5) passes the ball against West Muskingum in the second half of the OHSAA state semifinal game at University of Dayton Arena on Friday, March 20, 2026 in Dayton, Ohio.
(Samantha Madar/Columbus Dispatch)

Columbus Academy's Jason Singleton (5) dribbles the ball against West Muskingum's Kyle Porter (4) in the second half of the OHSAA state semifinal game at University of Dayton Arena on Friday, March 20, 2026 in Dayton, Ohio.
(Samantha Madar/Columbus Dispatch)

Columbus Academy's Dominic Dunkle (11) shoots the ball against West Muskingum in the second half of the OHSAA state semifinal game at University of Dayton Arena on Friday, March 20, 2026 in Dayton, Ohio.
(Samantha Madar/Columbus Dispatch)

Columbus Academy's Mitchell Zumberge (23) drives the ball to the basket against West Muskingum in the second half of the OHSAA state semifinal game at University of Dayton Arena on Friday, March 20, 2026 in Dayton, Ohio.
(Samantha Madar/Columbus Dispatch)

Columbus Academy's Mitchell Zumberge (23) shoots the ball against West Muskingum in the second half of the OHSAA state semifinal game at University of Dayton Arena on Friday, March 20, 2026 in Dayton, Ohio.
(Samantha Madar/Columbus Dispatch)

Top statistics from Columbus Academy's state semifinal win

The Vikings finished 22-of-43 (51.2%) from the floor and 14-of-21 (66.7%) at the line, led by 26 points, nine rebounds and three assists from Jason Singleton. Charlie Rubey added 10 points and four rebounds and Reinaldo Perez finished with nine points and five rebounds. Academy held a 33-30 edge in rebounding.

Tavin Bennett's 17 points led West Muskingum. The Tornadoes were just 16-of-55 (29.1%) from the field and 4-of-23 (17.4%) from outside.

That does it from here. I will see you Saturday from Wright State for the Westerville North-North Royalton semifinal in Division II , and Frank will be back at UD Arena for the Division V final. Both of us will be on hand in the evening back at Wright State for the Division I semifinal between Hilliard Bradley and Pickerington Central .

FINAL: Columbus Academy 59, West Muskingum 44

The Vikings dominated after the first few minutes and are headed back to the Division V state final. That game is at 1 p.m. Saturday (March 21, as USA Today Co. style prefers) against the winner of the second semifinal, Cincinnati Summit Country Day or Cleveland Heights Lutheran East. The latter would be a rematch from a season ago.

Top statistics are coming momentarily. Frank DiRenna will have a full recap on our website later today.

Perez 'and 1' puts Academy ahead 20

The Academy lead continues to grow; it has now hit 20 twice early in the fourth (48-28 and 50-30) and West Muskingum calls time with 5:07 left and trailing 50-32. A Reinaldo Perez 3-point play gave Academy its first 20-point lead.

End 3rd: Academy 41, West Muskingum 28

Another dominant third quarter for the Vikings has them eight minutes from another Division V state final appearance.

West M has missed seven of its last eight shots from the field, and Academy is shooting 16-of-33 (48.5%). Singleton is up to 20 points and five rebounds and is perfect from the line in five attempts.

Jason Singleton heating up as Academy lead grows

Dunks on consecutive possessions for Jason Singleton have given the Vikings their largest lead at 32-21 with 5:10 left in the third quarter. Academy is on a 7-0 run over the last 1:15 and has pretty much taken over the game.

Halftime statistics from Academy-West Muskingum

The numbers you need to know ...

Top Academy stats:Jason Singleton 12 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist; Charlie Rubey 5 points. Vikings outscored the Tornadoes 13-7 in the second after pulling into the lead with a 13-2 run. Academy is 8-of-20 from the floor and was 5-of-10 in the second, in addition to making six of seven free throws.

Top West Muskingum stats:No Tornado has more than four points. Cade Porter and Gray Knowlton each have four, and West M was only 3-of-13 from the floor in the second quarter. They are outrebounding Academy 15-13 and have six turnovers to four for the Vikings.

Halftime: Academy 23, West Muskingum 16

Some top statistics momentarily, but a nice second quarter for the Vikings has them ahead six at halftime and a good half away from their second straight title game appearance. The Tornadoes missed their last four field-goal attempts of the half and six of their last seven.

Academy lead grows midway through second quarter

Academy has outscored West Muskingum 15-6 since trailing 7-2, and the Tornadoes have called time with 4:41 left in the second quarter and the Vikings leading 17-13.

Jason Singleton is up to 10 points and three rebounds. West M's misses are adding up, although Cade Porter made a layup leading into the timeout. The Tornadoes are 6-of-15 from the floor.

End 1st: Academy 10, West Muskingum 9

Academy closed the quarter strong, earsing an early 7-2 lead deficit. Will Bundy made a layup with 11 seconds left in the period to give the Vikings their first lead since 2-0.

Academy is just 3-of-10 from the floor but has forced four turnovers with its man-to-man defense. West M, as the Zanesville locals call it, is 4-of-9 shooting. There have not been many multi-shot possessions for either side.

Academy went scoreless for almost five minutes until a Charlie Rubey jumper at the 2:43 mark of the first. A Singleton 3 made it 9-8 in the closing seconds of the quarter before Bundy gave the Vikings the lead.

Academy with slow start from the floor

The Vikings have missed their first five shots from the floor and trail 5-2 halfway through the first. Academy's only points have come on two free throws from Jason Singleton less than a minute into the game.

Columbus Academy battles West Muskingum in OHSAA state semifinal

After losing 53-49 to Cleveland Heights Lutheran East in last year's Division V final , Academy is back at state and facing a West Muskingum team making its state tournament debut.

Academy is led by 6-foot-4 senior guard Jason Singleton , a Harvard signee and 2026 Ohio Mr. Basketball finalist who averages a team-high 21.8 points.

The Vikings don't have their other returning starter, 6-3 forward Gabe Davis-Ray , a Northwestern football signee who averages 6.7 points and a team-high 6.8 rebounds but is away on a school trip.

Junior Reinaldo Perez , a 6-5 forward and all-state defensive lineman, replaces Davis-Ray in the starting lineup.

The Vikings' other starters are senior guards Will Bundy (6-1) and Charlie Rubey (5-11) and sophomore forward Mitch Zumberge (6-10). Zumberge averages 9.9 points and 6.2 rebounds.

This is the same starting lineup as in the dramatic regional final win over Castalia Margaretta .

Guided by first-year coach Cole Smith, West Muskingum has won 18 of its past 19 games.

Here is the starting lineup for the Tornadoes:

Cade Porter, 6-0 sr. G
Kyle Porter, 6-3 sr. G
Tavin Bennett, 6-4 sr. F
Noah Morrison, 6-0 so. G
Carter Smith, 6-2 jr. F

High school sports reporter Dave Purpura can be reached at dpurpura@dispatch.com and at @dp_dispatch on X.

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: OHSAA state basketball semifinal, Columbus Academy vs West Muskingum

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FINAL: Columbus Academy 59, West Muskingum 44

Perez 'and 1' puts Academy ahead 20

End 3rd: Academy 41, West Muskingum 28

Jason Singleton heating up as Academy lead grows

Halftime statistics from Academy-West Muskingum

Halftime: Academy 23, West Muskingum 16

Academy lead grows midway through second quarter

End 1st: Academy 10, West Muskingum 9

Academy with slow start from the floor

Columbus Academy battles West Muskingum in OHSAA state semifinal