Strong Defense Propels Lutheran East to A Second Consecutive Title

DAYTON, Ohio — For the second year in a row, it was all smiles for Lutheran East when the final buzzer sounded.

Playing in the presence of future college coach Tom Izzo, Michigan State commit Jesse McCulloch finished with 18 points, nine rebounds, and four blocks, leading Lutheran East to a 45-36 win over Harvest Prep.

Once again, McCulloch benefited from a significant size advantage in this matchup. The senior scored eight points in the first quarter, giving Lutheran East a 13-10 lead.

Division III State Championship 🏆

*End of the 1st*
Lutheran East – 13
Harvest Prep – 10

Jesse McCulloch scores eight of Lutheran East’s 13 first quarter points.

The Michigan State commit has a 6” height advantage over Harvest Prep’s tallest player.
@NEOSportsInside pic.twitter.com/c0Sz59DpCn

— NEO Zone HS Sports (@NEOZoneHS) March 24, 2024

After heading into halftime with a 30-22 lead, Lutheran East struggled to score for most of the third quarter. Unfortunately for Harvest Prep, its shooting struggles got even worse.

The Warriors finished the game 1-for-15 from beyond-the-arc. Without shots falling from deep and a height disadvantage in the paint, Harvest Prep went nearly seven minutes without scoring a point.

Division III State Championship 🏆

*End of the 3rd*
Lutheran East – 37
Harvest Prep – 24

Lutheran East ends the quarter with a thunderous alley-oop from Brashers to McCullough!

The Falcons held Harvest Prep to just two points in the third quarter.@NEOSportsInside pic.twitter.com/jjVcAn6xkB

— NEO Zone HS Sports (@NEOZoneHS) March 24, 2024

Finally, with 6:28 remaining in regulation, Harvest Prep went on an 8-0 run to trim the Lutheran East lead to 39-32.

However, that would be as close as Harvest Prep would get, as critical layups by McCulloch and Ronald Taylor would send Lutheran East to a 45-36 victory.

Division III State Championship 🏆

*End of the 3rd*
Lutheran East – 37
Harvest Prep – 24

Lutheran East ends the quarter with a thunderous alley-oop from Brashers to McCullough!

The Falcons held Harvest Prep to just two points in the third quarter.@NEOSportsInside pic.twitter.com/jjVcAn6xkB

— NEO Zone HS Sports (@NEOZoneHS) March 24, 2024

The win marks the fifth state title in school history for Lutheran East, and its third in the past four seasons.