Perhaps the most dominant stretch in OHSAA basketball history closed its final chapter Friday. Senior forward Dee Alexander had 27 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists as the Cincinnati Purcell Marian Cavaliers took down the Avon Lake Shoregals,

Cincinnati Marian Purcell was 32 minutes away from winning a fourth state championship, and Avon Lake was the only team that stood in its way March 14.

The Cavaliers are just the fourth team in Ohio High School Athletic Association history to win four consecutive titles.

The old saying in sports, “It’s hard to beat a good team twice,” holds true for the Avon Lake girls basketball team, especially in its recent playoff run. Head coach Paul Appel, knowing the Shoregals had the talent and scheme to make a deep run,

Purcell Marian jumped out to a 7-0 lead and never led by less than five points the rest of the way, beating Avon Lake, 72-44, to capture the Ohio High School Athletic Association Division III state championship on Friday at University of Dayton Arena. Purcell Marian finished the season with a 23-6 record. Avon Lake also finished 23-6.

CANTON, Ohio — The 31-year drought is over. Avon Lake led from the opening possession on Sunday, ultimately coming away with a 43-39 win over Brush to land in the Division III state championship game on March 14 at the University of Dayton Arena.

Purcell Marian defeated Avon Lake to win the Division III state championship. It is Purcell Marian's fourth consecutive state championship.