Kettering Fairmont Stuns Princeton in Overtime Thriller to Claim Ohio Girls Basketball State Title
DAYTON, Ohio — In a heart-stopping finish that will be remembered for years, Kettering Fairmont High School completed a perfect season by defeating Cincinnati Princeton 61-55 in overtime to win the Division I girls basketball state championship Saturday at UD Arena.
The Firebirds (28-0) sealed their first state title since 2013 thanks to clutch performances from sophomore Janiyah Hargrave (23 points) and senior Kaylah Thornton (19 points), whose last-second heroics forced overtime.
A Game of Momentum Swings
Princeton (23-5), seeking revenge after a regular-season loss to Fairmont, nearly pulled off a dramatic comeback. Down by 13 in the second quarter, the Vikings clawed back, tying the game at 35-35 with 4:23 left in regulation.
A late surge put Princeton ahead 50-47 with just five seconds remaining after senior Heaven Sneed hit one of two free throws. But Thornton, racing the length of the court, launched a desperation three-pointer at the buzzer to send the game into overtime—sending the crowd into a frenzy.
“I just knew I had to get a bucket,” Thornton said afterward. “No hesitation.”
Overtime Heroics
Princeton briefly took the lead in overtime, but Hargrave responded with a personal 5-0 run, including a crucial three-pointer, to put Fairmont ahead for good. The Firebirds sealed the victory by hitting six of eight free throws in the final minutes.
“One heck of a Division I state final,” said Fairmont coach Jeremey Finn. “Big moments, big shots—our girls never quit. Once we got to overtime, I knew we’d be okay.”
Senior Nico Cornett added 13 points for Fairmont, while Princeton’s Erin Thomas (19 points), Kiara Harris (18 points), and Kamryn Lowe (10 points) kept the Vikings in contention until the final seconds.
A Bittersweet Ending for Princeton
Princeton coach Dee Davis praised her team’s resilience despite the heartbreaking loss.
“Our kids fought to the very end,” Davis said. “They’ve endured so much, worked countless hours, and never gave up. It’s devastating to come this close and fall short, but I couldn’t be prouder.”
For Fairmont, the victory caps an undefeated season and cements their place among Ohio’s elite programs. As the final buzzer sounded, players and fans erupted in celebration—a perfect ending to a perfect year.
— Reported by Nexio News
