COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Magic is happening on 1160 Ann Street.

For the first time since 1986, South will play in a state championship game, as the Bulldogs used a 25-10 first quarter to blow past Sheridan in the Division II state semifinals on Thursday, racing past the Generals 77-55.

Using a 20-2 run that spanned five-plus minutes in the first quarter, South jumped out on Sheridan and never looked back. Forcing six steals and shooting 78.6 percent from the floor in the opening period, South set the tone early in a blowout victory.

Sheridan fought back hard in the second quarter, getting as close as six points with 2:46 remaining in the period. South closed on a 4-0 run in the final minute and a half, as a buzzer beating transition layup from junior Trevell Adams sent the Bulldogs into the locker room with a 36-26 advantage.

South opened up the second half with great energy, stretching its lead to as much as 16 points to take a 55-41 lead into the final frame.

In the fourth quarter, any hope for a Sheridan rally was nixed, as South's junior guard duo of Adams and Ta'Quan Simington open up the period with back-to-back buckets to help South lead by as many as 23 points in the final period of a 77-55 victory. 

In a balanced effort, Simington had one of the best games of his career, shooting 8-for-11 to finish with 16 points, seven rebounds, four assists and two steals. The 6-foot-2 wing guard showed off his special blend of unique athleticism, as the powerfully built junior has a combination of size, strength and body control that is hard to come by. When you combine that with Simington's motor, you can often get performances like he had on Thursday.

Adams added 13 points, two rebounds, two assists and two steals off the bench, continuing a hot tournament streak where he has arguably been the Bulldogs' best player. The 5-foot-11 guard was highly efficient, shooting 6-of-7 from the floor and creating many easy looks at the rim.

Senior wing Alvin Byrd led all Bulldog scorers with 18 points, while senior guard Tre Watkins pitched in 12 points and two assists. Watkins helped spark the massive first quarter run which was topped off by a circus shot, as the senior hit a five footer while sitting on the floor after a loose ball.

Junior wing Marcus Johnson had another strong outing, adding 10 poitns, four rebounds, two assists and two steals. Rounding out the rotation was junior post Sam Barton, who finished with eight points and seven rebounds.

South shot 57.1 percent from the floor, grabbed 32 rebounds and totaled 15 assists in a dominant all-around effort. The Bulldogs forced Sheridan into 15 turnovers which helped South get out into transition and take control of Thursday's semifinal.

South scored 50 points off dunks and layups, while scoring 58 total points in the paint compared to just 30 for Sheridan. South created 19 points off turnovers and had 16 second chance points on Thursday.

For Sheridan, sophomore guard Landen Russell had a strong showing, going 7-for-9 from the floor to finish with 15 points. Senior guard Ethan Heller capped off a great career for the Generals with 15 points and five rebounds. The only other Sheridan player to score more than four points was senior center Grant Heileman, who added 10 points and five rebounds.

Getting blitzed in the first quarter after taking a 3-0 lead in the opening minute, Sheridan never was able to get back into the game, as any time the General got to within six points, South responded with big buckets. 

South advances to the Division II state final where the Bulldogs will take on the winner of Trotwood Madison and Akron Buchtel on Saturday at 2 p.m. The Bulldogs are looking to add its second state title in program history, as South last cut down the nets in 1965. 

While setting a program record with 28 wins, none will be bigger than a state title triumph on Saturday for South. 

SHS = South, SHER = Sheridan

8:00 - SHS 0, SHER 0

7:07 - SHS 0, SHER 3 - Heller 3

6:48 - SHS 2, SHER 3 - Barton inside

6:23 - SHS 4, SHER 3 - Barton inside

6:00 - SHS 6, SHER 3 - Simington transition 

5:42 - SHS 6, SHER 5 - Russell inside

5:24 - SHS 8, SHER 5 - Simington inside score

4:57 - SHS 10, SHER 5 - Watkins FTs

4:41 - SHS 12, SHER 5 - Johnson steal and one hand slam

4:27 - SHS 14, SHER 5 - Byrd steal and score

3:52 - SHS 17, SHER 5 - Watkins 3

2:47 - SHS 19, SHER 5 - Adams score

2:04 - SHS 21, SHER 5 - Adams steal and score

1:46 - SHS 23, SHER 5 - Watkins shoots from the ground

1:28 - SHS 23, SHER 7 - Hill inside score

:50 - SHS 23, SHER 10 - Heller 3

:16 - SHS 25, SHER 10 - Adams

END OF FIRST:  South 25, sheridan 10

8:00 - SHS 25, SHER 10

6:46 - SHS 25, SHER 13 - Johnson 3

6:37 - SHS 28, SHER 13 - Watkins 3

6:01 - SHS 28, SHER 14 - Russell FT

5:33 - SHS 28, SHER 16 - Heileman inside

5:04 - SHS 28, SHER 18 - Coconis mid range

4:17 - SHS 28, SHER 20 - Russell mid range

4:00 - SHS 28, SHER 22 - Russell mid range

3:30 - SHS 30, SHER 22 - Byrd runner

3:11 - SHS 30, SHER 24 - Russell off reb, putback

2:55 - SHS 32, SHER 24 - Johnson off glass

2:46 - SHS 32, SHER 26 - Heileman transition 

1:34 - SHS 34, SHER 26 - Simington off reb, score

:01 - SHS 36, SHER 26 - Adams buzzer beating layup

AT HALF: SOUTH 36, SHERIDAN 26

8:00 - SHS 36, SHER 26

7:51 - SHS 36, SHER 28 - Hill score

7:28 - SHS 38, SHER 28 - Watkins score

6:34 - SHS 40, SHER 28 - Byrd inside score

5:49 - SHS 42, SHER 28 - Byrd FTs

4:47 - SHS 42, SHER 30 - Heileman inside

4:30 - SHS 44, SHER 30 - Simington inside

4:20 - SHS 44, SHER 32 - Russell mid range

4:03 - SHS 44, SHER 34 - Russell transition 

3:43 - SHS 46, SHER 34 - Johnson FTs

2:50 - SHS 48, SHER 34 - Simington transition 

2:27 - SHS 48, SHER 36 - Russell floater 

1:58 - SHS 50, SHER 36 - Simington tip in

1:33 - SHS 50, SHER 38 - Heileman mid range

1:18 - SHS 52, SHER 38 - Simington steal and score

:39.5 - SHS 54, SHER 38 - Adams drive and score 

:19.5 - SHS 54, SHER 41 - Malone And-1

:0.6 - SHS 55, SHER 41 - Adams FT

END OF THIRD QUARTER: SOUTH 55, SHERIDAN 41

8:00 - SHS 55, SHER 41

7:41 - SHS 57, SHER 41 - Adams floater 

7:10 - SHS 59, SHER 41 - Simington inside score

6:57 - SHS 59, SHER 43 - Heller score

6:42 - SHS 61, SHER 43 - Johnson mid range

6:29 - SHS 61, SHER 45 - Heller mid range

5:20 - SHS 63, SHER 45 - Byrd off reb, putback

5:00 - SHS 63, SHER 47 - Heileman And-1

4:50 - SHS 65, SHER 47 - Byrd FTs

4:11 - SHS 67, SHER 47 - Barton inside score

3:36 - SHS 69, SHER 47 - Johnson floater

2:55 - SHS 69, SHER 50 - Heller And-1

2:19 - SHS 71, SHER 50 - Barton inside 

2:00 - SHS 71, SHER 53 - Jordan 3

1:50 - SHS 74, SHER 53 - Byrd And-1

1:25 - SHS 76, SHER 53 - Byrd inside 

1:14 - SHS 76, SHER 55 - Heller score 

:3.5 - SHS 77, SHER 55 - Byrd FT

FINAL: SOUTH 77, SHERIDAN 55

Live Game Tweets

270 Hoops Battle for the City

Date: March 27 and 28, 2019

Time: 6:30 - 9:30 PM

Location: Olentangy Orange High School

Senior Showcase (City North vs. City South) (OCC vs. Central Ohio)

Underclassmen Challenge (Top 10 players in every class for every conference)