ATHENS – The Hartley boys basketball team never fell behind in its Division II regional semifinal matchup against Zanesville Maysville on Thursday until the final possession of the game.

Being in control of the contest for nearly 32 minutes wasn't enough for Hartley (22-4) to pick up the victory at Ohio University's Convocation Center, as the Hawks fell to Maysville 50-49.

With less than 5 seconds remaining and the Hawks ahead 49-47, the Panthers (24-3) inbounded the ball to Alex Bobb. After two quick dribbles, the senior took a 3-point shot from the right wing that hit off the backboard and went through the net as time ran out.

"That was obviously a big-time shot from that guy," Hartley coach Andreas James said. "And you know, we would take our chances in that situation again."

Hartley opened the game with an 8-0 run, holding Maysville scoreless for more than three minutes. Bobb was the only player from the Panthers to score in the first quarter, in which the Hawks finished ahead 12-5.

After a strong first-half performance led by sophomore Jakhi Calloway, who recorded 15 of his team-leading 21 points in the opening 16 minutes, Hartley went into the locker room with a 28-15 lead.

Maysville started to come alive in the second half, chipping away at Hartley's lead. Behind Jordyn Watson's 18 second-half points, the Panthers closed to within 42-41 with 5 minutes to play.

"It was a tale of two halves," James said. "I don't think we played with the same intensity that we played with in the first half. ... (With) 50-50 balls, getting rebounds and things like that, we just didn't have the same intensity."

Despite having multiple opportunities to tie or take the lead for the first time in the final minutes, Maysville failed to capitalize until it got the ball back one last time with 16 seconds left.

Committing only one foul in the quarter up until that point, Hartley fouled the Panthers three consecutive times before having to rely on its defense. With the ball in the hands of the game's leading scorer, Bobb, who finished with 22 points, the Hawks were unable to prevent the Panthers from completing their comeback.

"Obviously, this was not the result we wanted," James said. "I think our guys will be hungry and motivated to get to this moment and get past it next year."

–Brianna Mac Kay

Kettering Alter 63, Jonathan Alder 42

VANDALIA – Meeting with his team in the locker room following its loss to Alter, second-year Jonathan Alder coach Derek Dicke had a special message for forward Peyton Heiss, the lone senior on the roster.

Heiss, who was named Division II Central District Player of the Year, scored 15 points before fouling out midway through the fourth quarter of a regional semifinal at Vandalia-Butler.

“I can’t speak enough about him,” Dicke said. “I gave him a hug. I told him he’s a legend. He’s a legend in the Jonathan Alder community. He’s going to be a legend until I retire. He’s a legend to me. I’ve been around a lot of great players. That kid works. For 16 straight weeks, he never missed a 6 a.m. workout. He’s going to be hard to replace, but we need the younger guys to step up and lead.”

Heiss was disappointed with the outcome but proud of his teammates and coaches.

“This game doesn’t define this group,” said Heiss, a Mount Vernon Nazarene commit. “I’m proud of every single one of them. To be the only senior, I feel like the older brother to my guys. I’ll be with them in the offseason. Being here at Alder is something I’ll never forget. The relationships that I’ve built with my players and coaches, and I love every one of them.”

Ryan Mark added 9 points for Jonathan Alder.

Tied at 15 in the second quarter, Alter (20-7) went on runs of 11-0 and 18-3 to open a 32-18 lead at halftime. The Pioneers (16-10) never threatened again.

“Turnovers and offensive rebounds in the first half really hurt us,” Dicke said. “Unfortunately, it was too big of a deficit to battle back, but I can’t be prouder of our guys the way they just kept going. They just didn’t give up.”

Gavin Leen led Alter with 21 points. Brady Conner and R.J. Greer added 13 apiece.

Alter connected on nine 3-pointers.

“Their coach had them ready, and that zone is tough to beat,” Dicke said. “You have to make shots. We had some good looks in the first half. They didn’t fall, but it’s part of the game. The ball just didn’t bounce our way sometimes.”

Jonathan Alder won its first district title since 1979.

“This isn’t how we drew it up,” Dicke said. “Unfortunately, there has to be a winner and there has to be a loser, but I can’t take away from what we did and what we did for the community of Jonathan Alder having (not won a district title) for 45 years. They’ve left a legacy.”

–Frank DiRenna

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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Hartley, Jonathan Alder fall in Division II regional semifinals