COLUMBUS, Ohio -- In an unprecedented battle of Pickerington on Saturday for the Division I regional title, Central was too much for rival North for a third time this season. Advancing to its first state tournament since 2012, Pickerington Central never trailed in the second half of a 75-58 win in front of a sold out crowd at Ohio Dominican. 

Despite a hot start for Pickerington North, as the Panthers jumped out to a 12-7 lead, Central would respond with an 8-0 run to end the quarter, taking a 15-12 lead after one. From there on out, Central would not be fazed, extending its lead to as much as 15 points, leading 35-20 with under a minute to go in the second quarter. Going into the break with a 37-25 advantage, Central would flex its muscle even more in the second half. 

Coming out with great intensity in the second half, Central would not let its foot off the gas, punishing North in transition to take a 21-point lead at 57-36 into the fourth quarter. In the final frame, North would not get the comeback season it was hoping for, as Central would grind out the final eight minutes to advance to its first state tournament since 2012. 

In a dominant overall performance, Central controlled the tempo, as sophomore point guard Jeremiah Francis put in a terrific all-around game to pace the Tigers. Finishing with 21 points, seven rebounds and three assists, Francis set the tone for Central, while the rest of the Tigers would follow suit. In an up-tempo game that aligned with Central's liking, Francis took over, dominating on both ends of the floor at the point guard position. 

Senior center Sterling Manley added 21 points, 11 rebounds and three blocks, dominating the interior for the Tigers. Controlling the glass, Manley's presence was a factor all night, as North struggled to score on the interior. Finishing with a game-high in rebounds, Manley helped the Tigers control the glass, as Central finished with a 36-21 advantage on the boards.

Central's unsung hero in junior forward Juan Elmore turned in an impressive performance, finishing with 12 points, 10 rebounds and five assists. Elmore's impact on the offensive glass paid dividends in the first half for Central, as the 6-foot-4 junior finished several offensive rebound put backs to get the Tigers going early on.

Junior wing Adrian Nelson added 12 points for the Tigers, while senior guard Jalen Horton added six points and a game-high seven assists. 

For North, the Panthers' dream season ends one game shy of the state final four. Despite that, North made history this season, winning the first district title in program history while also completing the best season the school has ever seen. 

Leading the way once again for the Panthers was junior wing Jerome Hunter, who finished with 27 points and 10 rebounds for the second-consecutive game in the regional tournament. While Hunter dominated on the offensive end, North would not find consistent production outside of its four-star forward.

Junior wing Dondre Palmer added 11 points, while no other player scored in double figures for the Panthers. Junior guard Tyler Potts finished with seven points, while senior guard Matt Lanier and junior forward Eli McNamara each added five points.

With the win, Central moves on to the state semifinals to take on top-ranked Cincinnati Moeller, who comes in to Saturday's game at 27-0. Moeller is one of the toughest defensive teams remaining in the state, not allowing more than 57 points in any game this season. 

On a roll and hot at the right time, Pickerington Central is winners of its last 13 games. As Francis and Manley have dominated in the tournament to lead the Tigers this far, Pickerington Central will need another big-time performance out of its star-studded duo on Friday at 5:15 p.m. vs. Moeller.