Michael Holt received the 2012 Coaches SEI Award for boys’ basketball. The Glenville head coach has spent the past 25 years as a physical education teacher with the Cleveland Public School District.

By BRYANT K. KIZER

Contributing Writer

Being undefeated and a champion is everyone’s dream. After Saturday’s 54-52 victory over Elida in Columbus, Dayton Dunbar does not have to dream any more. It is a reality.

Dunbar completed an unbeaten season and grabbed the Division II state championship.

However, the win did not come easy.

Dunbar (28-0) trailed by 11 points at 35-24 with less than six minutes remaining in the third quarter.  The Wolverines closed the quarter by scoring 18 consecutive points and led 42-35. They would go up by nine points twice, but the Bulldogs (24-4) would not go quietly.

Dunbar led 52-45 and the Bulldogs munched on that lead and they went on a 7-0 run to tie the game at 52 with 11 seconds left.  Reggie McAdams, who was fouled by Deonte Hawkins, split the two free-throws that could have gave Bulldogs the lead. The Bulldogs only missed two free throws out of attempted 21. But, it always the last free throw that would be costly.

Andre Yates’ bank shot with three seconds left, gave Dunbar the lead and the title.

Hawkins led the Wolverines with 14 points and 12 rebounds. Yates finished with 10 points.

Dunbar beat Lake Catholic (23-3) on Friday 75-60 to advance to the title game.

In D-I:

Pickerington Central took the Division I state crown by beating Toledo Whitmer 45-40. Caris LeVert had the game-high honors with 20 points. He also had four steals.

With the score tied at 37, the Tigers (26-2) sank six free throws down the stretch to win their first state title.

Toledo Whitmer (24-3) defeated St. Edward (18-8) 62-51 on Friday to advance to the state championship game.

In D-III:

Cincinnati Summit Country Day also won their first state title by beating Portsmouth 53-37. Kevin Johnson and Mike Barwick each had 11 points to lead the Silver Knights (26-1).  The Silver Knights defeated St. Peter Chanel 49-41 on Thursday.

In D-IV:

Berlin Hiland had the easiest game by routing Jackson Center 68-36. The Hawks (27-1) have won back-to-back D-IV titles. Seger Bonifant led Berlin Hiland with 18 points.

Glenville’s coach honored:

Michael Holt received the 2012 Coaches SEI Award for boys’ basketball. The Glenville head coach has spent the past 25 years as a physical education teacher with the Cleveland Public School District. Holt has been the varsity basketball coach at Glenville for the past 11 years. During that time, his teams have won nearly 200 games, and approximately 92 percent of his student-athletes have graduated. The Tarblooders have won four Senate League championships, two district championships and he has won several coach-of-the-year awards. Holt has been active with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and has dedicated his life to “at-risk” youth in the Cleveland inner city.

It is track season:

Naleta Andrews of Shaker Heights High School got off to a good start in outdoor track season opener. The senior splendid sprinter won three individual events in the West Geauga’s Kurt Frankel Wolverine Invitational, last Saturday. Andrews also broke meet records. She was first in the 200 meters (25.73 seconds), 400 (57.23) and 100 (12.61). Only the 200 and 400 were for the record. Andrews also anchored the 4x400.