Worthington Christian controls tempo, but comes up just short

KETTERING — As it got deep into a Division III regional semifinal against undefeated Cincinnati Summit Country Day on Wednesday, it was clear to Worthington Christian that its plan of controlling the tempo had become a big hit.

The Warriors trailed for most of the first three quarters but found themselves leading by one with 26.2 seconds left when the Silver Knights’ leader finally made his presence known. Sam Martin, who came in averaging 15.6 points but had made just one basket through the game’s first 31 minutes, drove through the lane and banked in an offbalance layup to help his team retake the lead with 15 seconds left.

Summit Country Day (26-0) then held on to escape with a 35-32 victory.

“We definitely tried to slow down and play more of a half-court game,” said senior guard and district player of the year Jay Joseph, who had 17 points. “That’s exactly how we wanted it to go. We just couldn’t finish it.”

Worthington Christian (21-6) trailed by as much as nine at halftime and 30-23 after three quarters but didn’t give up a point during the first 6:26 of the final period. The Warriors got within 31-30 on two free throws by Joseph with 2:16 left. The score was tied when Worthington Christian’s Jayden Turner hit the first of two free throws with 26.2 left for a 32-31 lead.

After Martin’s basket, the Warriors were whistled for traveling with 6.2 seconds to go and Tyrice Walker hit a pair of free throws with 4.6 to go. Worthington Christian then threw it to midcourt and coach Kevin Weakley tried to call timeout but was unable to get the official’s attention as Kyle Smith’s three-point attempt just past halfcourt fell short.

It was the final game for a five-member senior class that helped the Warriors return to the regional tournament for the first time since making three appearances in a row from 2012 to ’14.

“We had a special group of seniors,” Weakley said. “We saw that tonight.”