Springboro girls make history - first trip to D-I state final in 46 years

CINCINNATI (WXIX) - The Springboro High School girls basketball team made history - 46 years after its last run to the state tournament, the Panthers defeated Pickerington Central 63-54 on Friday to clinch a spot in the state championship game.

Springboro will play Olmstead Falls in the Division I state final at UD Arena on Saturday at 8 p.m.

For alumni and parents, the team is already champs, ending a half-century state tourney drought.

Lydia Gabbard is a fourth-generation Springboro student. Her father Jason said its been a generational effort to get the girls program to this point.

“It is the culmination of decades of work on their part,” Jason said.

It also makes for one proud father with a long family connection to the Panthers basketball programs.

“My parents were part of the 1965 team that went to state on the boys side,” Jason said. “My family was part of the 1978 girls team that last went to the finals. So this is really, for me, full circle.”

Purcell Marian will play Shaker Heights Laurel in the Division II state championship at 5:15.

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