Makenzie Grant's Putback Lifts Hoban to Division II Girls Basketball State Final

Knights defeat Olmsted Falls 60-58 in overtime to advance to championship game

Mar. 14, 2026 at 1:55am

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In a thrilling Division II state semifinal matchup, Archbishop Hoban's Makenzie Grant scored the game-winning putback layup with 9 seconds left in overtime to lift the Knights to a 60-58 victory over Olmsted Falls. The win sends Hoban to the state championship game against undefeated Cincinnati Mount Notre Dame.

Why it matters

This hard-fought victory for Hoban showcases the team's resilience and determination, as they battled back from an early deficit to force overtime and ultimately prevail. The Knights' run to the state final represents a significant achievement for the program and the local community.

The details

Hoban senior Makenzie Grant scored the decisive basket, converting a putback layup with just 9 seconds remaining in the extra period to give her team the lead. Grant finished with 15 points on 7-of-9 shooting. Hoban's other star, senior guard Niera Stevens, also scored 15 points after a slow start, including a clutch floater and free throw in overtime to tie the game at 58-58. The Bulldogs had a chance to win it at the buzzer, but their desperation shot fell short.

  • The game was tied 21-18 at halftime, with Olmsted Falls leading.
  • Hoban rallied in the second half to force overtime tied at 58-58.
  • Makenzie Grant's game-winning putback came with just 9 seconds left in overtime.

The players

Makenzie Grant

A senior power forward for Archbishop Hoban who scored the game-winning basket in overtime.

Niera Stevens

A senior guard for Archbishop Hoban who overcame a slow start to score 15 points, including clutch shots in overtime.

Jesse Simon

A senior guard for Olmsted Falls who scored a game-high 16 points in the losing effort.

Pamela Davis

The head coach of Archbishop Hoban, who guided her team to the Division II state championship game.

Jordan Eaton

The head coach of Olmsted Falls, whose team fell just short of reaching the state final.

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What they’re saying

“I saw it was a tied game and thought back to what Coach Pam says, 'We are pint-sized, but the one thing you can't teach is heart and effort.' At that point, I knew that it's a want-to in order to score. I could have let the ball go, but I felt like it was a who-wanted-it-more situation.”

— Makenzie Grant, Senior Power Forward, Archbishop Hoban

“Even though I didn't have a strong start, I had no doubt that my teammates would be there for me. After a while, I knew that our team would get in the swing of things, get into our sets, our defense would start to come together, and we would start to move as one. I trust my teammates and they trust me. We are like a chess game, we have multiple pieces on the floor, we all make moves, and when we do that we are efficient.”

— Niera Stevens, Senior Guard, Archbishop Hoban

“I think the whole experience of coming down here and being able to spend the weekend with my best friends is what I want to remember.”

— Jesse Simon, Senior Guard, Olmsted Falls

“It feels great, and this opportunity is truly a blessing. We know this is a big stage, which comes with a lot of pressure and outside noise. We can now say that Hoban is here.”

— Niera Stevens, Senior Guard, Archbishop Hoban

What’s next

The Knights (21-4) will face undefeated Cincinnati Mount Notre Dame (25-0) in the Division II state championship game on Saturday.

The takeaway

Hoban's thrilling overtime victory showcases the team's resilience and determination, as they rallied from an early deficit to punch their ticket to the state final. The Knights' run to the championship game represents a significant achievement for the program and the local community.