Alter captures fifth state championship in girls’ basketball

OHIO — Alter captured its first state title in OHSAA Girls Basketball since 2017, with a 54-38 win over Sheridan in the Division II championship game. 

Leading 8-6 after the first quarter, the Knights used a 13-0 run to start the second quarter and really open things up. Sheridan called two timeouts just 23 seconds apart to stem the tide and eventually clawed back with its own run of 8-0. But 21-14 was as close as things would get. 

Sophomore Riley Smith was the leading scorer with 13 points. Maddie Moody and Elena Thomson each chipped in nine. Seniors Bailey Beckstedt (11) and Faith Stinson (10) paced the Generals.

The Knights’ armor, their defense shone, forcing 22 turnovers and limiting Sheridan to 31% shooting. Alter also controlled the battle of the boards, out-rebounding the Generals 36-28.

Sheridan still had an amazing trip to Dayton, winning the state tournament’s first-ever triple-overtime game on Thursday, beating Norton 68-60. 

It’s the fifth state title overall for the Knights program, also winning three straight years from 2015 through 2017, and in 2008. They tie those five championships with Delphos St. John’s and Hathaway Brown, and trail only five other schools all-time. 

Saturday was a huge day for Alter basketball. The boys’ team defeated Cincinnati Woodward 62-49 in an OHSAA Division II regional final to make next weekend’s state tournament. Despite a now combined 19 trips to the Final Four, 2022 is the first year both teams accomplished that at the same time.