Columbus Academy Boys Basketball Falls Short in Second Straight State Final

Cleveland Heights Lutheran East wins fourth consecutive Division V state championship

Mar. 21, 2026 at 9:26pm

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For the second consecutive year, the Columbus Academy boys basketball team lost to Cleveland Heights Lutheran East in the Division V state final. Lutheran East, the four-time defending state champions, never trailed in the game and led by as many as 24 points on their way to a 50-36 victory. Columbus Academy senior Jason Singleton, an Ohio Mr. Basketball finalist and Harvard signee, scored 17 points in his final high school game.

Why it matters

This loss marks the second straight year that Columbus Academy has fallen short of winning the Division V state title, despite making it to the championship game. The program has established itself as one of the top small-school basketball teams in Ohio, but is still seeking its first state championship since 1986.

The details

Lutheran East jumped out to a 12-1 lead and was ahead 28-10 at halftime. The Falcons, led by 18 points and 12 rebounds from Devontey Perkins, never allowed Columbus Academy to get closer than five points in the second half. The Vikings struggled offensively, shooting just 15-of-47 from the field and 1-of-9 from 3-point range. Columbus Academy played the final three games without senior forward Gabe Davis-Ray, who was on a school trip to Spain.

  • The Division V state final was played on March 21, 2026 at University of Dayton Arena.
  • This was the second consecutive year that Columbus Academy and Cleveland Heights Lutheran East met in the state final, with Lutheran East winning both matchups.

The players

Jason Singleton

A senior at Columbus Academy and an Ohio Mr. Basketball finalist who has signed to play at Harvard University next season.

Devontey Perkins

A standout player for Cleveland Heights Lutheran East, scoring 18 points and grabbing 12 rebounds in the state final.

Mitch Zumberge

A 6-foot-8 sophomore center for Columbus Academy who had 8 points and 9 rebounds in the state final.

Jeff Warstler

The head coach of the Columbus Academy boys basketball team, praised his team's effort and culture despite the loss.

Gabe Davis-Ray

A senior forward for Columbus Academy who missed the final three games, including the state final, due to a school trip to Spain.

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What they’re saying

“That never-quit, never-say-die attitude is what the program is. It's what our culture demands of us. We'll never stop, and there was no change in anyone's face. We don't do a lot of scoreboard looking. We're just trying to win the next play.”

— Jeff Warstler, Head Coach, Columbus Academy

“I'm just grateful for it all. To be able to come out here, get back here [to the state final] two times in a row. I had a good four-year career, won a lot of games with coach Warstler.”

— Jason Singleton

“My teammates pushed me every single day to be a better person on and off the court. They mean so much to me and they really helped develop me as a player and a person.”

— Mitch Zumberge, Sophomore Center, Columbus Academy

What’s next

Columbus Academy will look to build on its back-to-back state final appearances and return to the championship game next season, led by the continued development of sophomore center Mitch Zumberge and other key returning players.

The takeaway

Despite the disappointment of falling short in the state final for the second straight year, the Columbus Academy boys basketball program has established itself as one of the top small-school programs in Ohio, with a strong culture and talented players who have helped the team reach new heights.