2022-23 News Archive

 

 

 

 

The Ohio High School Athletic Association will be hosting their 51st Girls Basketball State Championship this weekend March 12-14 in Dayton, Ohio as the top teams from across the Buckeye State will converge on the Gem City for one weekend, and seven teams will head home with the gold. The University of Dayton Arena will host all seven championship games, with semifinal games being played at the arena, Wright State University and Vandalia Butler High School.

 

Whether it is your first time playing in the Final Four, or you have been here before, there is nothing like competing for the pride of your school, the name on the front and taking the bus ride home with the Gold around your neck. Good luck to all of the teams involved this weekend, I look forward to seeing each of the championship games.

 

It has been a few years since Kettering Fairmont has been on the big stage, as they won the state championship back in 2013. They make a return with a solid cast including Ms. Basketball candidate Kaylah Thornton, a senior headed to Akron and is the unquestioned leader of this team. She was the Southwest District Player of the Year, but she gets plenty of help from senior Nico Cornett who had a great regional final. Senior Lena Buskard is a very proficient post player, and the underclassmen who is a major Division One prospect is sophomore Janiyah Hargrave.

 

Pickerington Central makes another return trip to the final four, their 17th trip in their iconic school history. The Tigers have won eight times, and they have the firepower to do it again, led by senior Blossom Wallace, a 6-1 wing who averaged 13.8 ppg. Zoe Coleman is a 5-11 junior who like Wallace was first-team all-district and she averaged 17.8 ppg. A couple of others to keep an eye on who bring talent to the lineup are junior Deyon Smith and senior Ameera Jenkins.

 

Wadsworth hasn’t been to the final four since 2018, but they do have a history of two state championships in 1997 and 2016. The 24-2 Grizzlies have won 29 consecutive league titles and 13 district championships. Their offense is led by 5-10 senior wing Lauren Decker at 14.2 ppg.,

their only double figure scorer. They do have a balanced attack with sophomore Julia Maddox scoring 8.1 ppg. and two others close to eight points per game with sophomore Natalie Maddox and junior Natalie Moser.

 

Cincinnati Princeton gets through a very tough Southwest Region and gets back to the state final four for the fifth time in school history. They last won the state championship in 2023 and brings in 6-1 sophomore Erin Thomas, a major Division One recruit to lead the way for the Vikings. Junior Kamryn Lowe is a 5-8 guard also capable of putting up numbers, along with 5-5 senior guard Heaven Sneed. They picked up huge wins against Milford and Lakota West to get here, and their semifinal game against Wadsworth should be a great battle.

 

 

Akron Archbishop Hoban is no stranger to success, and to no surprise, they make a trip south to Dayton this weekend for the Final Four. This will be their fifth trip to the final four, their last in 2021. They also have a state championship in 1988.

 

Nierra Stevens leads the way, as the 5-5 senior scored her 1,000th career point this season and is averaging 17.6 per game. Senior Amariya Davis, a 5-5 guard averages 11.2 per contest with another senior, 5-9 MaKenzie Grant scoring just under ten. They have a senior-laden starting five, but some younger prospects who come off the bench.

 

Big Walnut brings in a lot of next-level talent, including the consensus top junior in Ohio with Sydney Mobley, a 6-3 Power 4 recruit who can do damage both around the rim, but also can knock down the long range three. Another player who is capable of putting up big numbers on any night is junior Remy Largent. Ryleigh Thrapp is only a sophomore but her skillset it elite, as she adds to a very potent offense. Senior Lexy Federer is a senior also considered one of the top players in the Central District.

 

Olmsted Falls is only two years removed from the schools first state championship, and they make their fourth consecutive trip to Dayton for the state final four weekend. Leading the way to Dayton includes Emma Shaefer, an all-district 6-0 junior averaging 11.5 points per game, while Jesse Simon in a 5-11 senior who was also honored by the district coaches this season and averaging over 15 ppg.

 

Cincinnati Mount Notre Dame comes in as a rare unbeaten team at 25-0 as they look to keep their perfect record in tact. Leading the way for the Cougars is 5-7 senior Mia Vieth, averaging 15 points per game and her shooting percentages are elite. Right behind her is 5-7 senior Bella Vieth at 10.5 points per game, while 6-2 sophomore Ava Simpson has blossomed onto the scene averaging 10.2 ppg. Senior Reece Hackney, the Eastern Michigan recruit is right there in that group sitting at just shy of nine per game.

 

 

Dayton Chaminade Julienne is a school that long-time girls basketball fans in Ohio vividly remembers as being a powerhouse in Ohio. In a span of seven years (1998-2995), CJ won three state titles and brought home three state runner-up trophies. After another final four trip in 2013, the Eagles are back and have all the tools. They have a senior leader point guard in 5-6 Janae Cain, an uncommitted floor general. Then they have the freshman dynamic-duo of Ja’Kyiah Cook (6-2) and Mychael Hanson (5-8), both Division One recruits with offers. Add in 5-9 senior Maggie Bush, a consummate floor leader and they got through a gauntlet to make the final four, knocking off state powers Tipp City Tippecanoe and Dayton Carroll to get here.

 

Copley looks to bring home their first title in school history, after previous trips here in 2006 and 2024. Evelyn McKnight is a 5-8 senior who scores at a rate of 24 per game with six rebounds and six steals and will be heading to Youngstown State to play with the Penguins. Fellow senior Zoey Van Voorhis averages 11 points per game and will provide scoring from the guard spot. They advanced to the final four without their other D1 signee as Audrey Parker missed the entire season with injury.

 

Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary comes to Dayton with their 12th district title in school history including four in a row. Melania Cornute is a 5-7 junior who averages 23 points per game and she scored her 1,000th career point this season. Elite sophomore Sydney Ferguson is a 6-4 athlete who makes things happen around the rim. She averages 14 per game. Another senior leader to watch is 5-10 Tatum Smith, coming into the final four at 8.5 ppg. Building a schedule to prepare for this weekend, coach Carley Whitney has taken the independent to new heights.

 

Chillicothe Unioto makes their first state final four appearance since 1995, and they bring in a face who UD Flyer fans will get to know very soon. Senior Milee Smith, a 5-10 senior and Southeast District Player of the Year, averages nearly 24 points per game, and she is signed to play her college basketball at the University of Dayton. Keyairah Beard is another one who is seeing her stock rise, as the 5-6 sophomore is coming in at 15 ppg. Senior Magnolia Holbert adds quality leadership as the 5-6 senior guard sits close to nine points per game.

 

 

Making their first trip to the state final four in school history are the Circleville Tigers. Two comfortable wins in the regionals sets up the Tigers on the big stage this weekend, and it brings 6’2 junior Addison Edgington to the forefront. Edgington (at 20 ppg) is a strong physical presence who is difficult to defend. The Southeast District Player of the Year will be joined by talented 5’8 senior Maddie Blakeman scoring 10 per game. Brooklyn Creamer is a rising sophomore.

 

Shaker Heights Laurel is no stranger to the UD Arena. They finished as state runner-up in 2024, and Tristan Williams is one of the most talented seniors in the Buckeye state. She averages 22.5 ppg. and the UNLV recruit scored her 1,500th career point this season. Another player to watch this weekend is 5-7 junior Jordyn Meyer, scoring at 12.5 per game and she is a deadly three-point threat. Olivia Schneider is a 5-8 senior who pours in close to 13 per game, and another player close to double figures is junior Reese Grammes, a 5-7 guard scoring 9.5 ppg.

 

Purcell Marian…yep it’s them again and they are back for more! They have won four consecutive state championships, and despite graduating a lot of talent, they have a lot coming back. It all starts with 6-3 junior Samaya Wilkins, averaging 22 points and nearly 13 boards per game. 5-1 junior Kourtney Peterson also scored in double figures while the rising player who I really like a lot on this team is junior Layla Claxton, a 5-8 guard who can do the little things it takes to win.

 

Bellevue makes their second consecutive state final four appearance as the defending state champions battle Circleville at 2pm, Thursday at UD Arena. This unbeaten squad brings in plenty of firepower, including the Northwest District Player of the Year in Division Four, 6-3 Kaitlyn Turinsky, headed to Youngstown State and averaging 13 ppg. Freshman Ava Jakubcin-Theis has put together a special inaugural season as the 5-7 guard averaged 12.8 ppg and was first-team all-district. Ellie Freitag was second-team all-district as the 5-3 junior averaged just under eight per game. Two more players to keep an eye on are Carrington Savage 6-0 junior, and Mazie Gracemyer 5-6 sophomore.

 

 

Norwayne made their first ever appearance in the state final four last season, and is back for more as they make the trip to Dayton this weekend. After winning their first conference title this season since 1986, they love to rebound and get out in transition. They have a balanced attack led by Ava Maibach, a 5-11 senior (13.9 ppg.) with Allie DeMassimo right there with her as the 5-8 senior scores at 13.7. Rising sophomore Hannah Froelich, a 6-1 center also scores double figures.

 

Portsmouth is the defending Division Five state champion and looks to eye another successful weekend at the state final four. Coach Amy Hughes has been in this game for a long time since her successful playing days at Wheelersburg in the early 1990s, now she looks to get the second gold in school history at Portsmouth. Sienna Allen is a 5-10 senior (17.1 ppg.) headed to Ohio University to play in the fall, and she gets plenty of help from junior guard Keke Woods, scoring just over 17 per game. Hayven Carter is another D1 college prospect as the 6-1 junior averages 12 ppg.

 

Eyeing a shot at gold is another Southeast Ohio powerhouse in Proctorville Fairland, who joins their league foe Portsmouth in this final four. Bailey Russell is a senior and the new all-time scoring leader in school history along with District 13 Player of the Year. Addison Godby is another high-level senior who also earned Player of the Year, while senior Isa Taliferro had a great season earning all-district along with seniors Addyson Cornell and Taegan Leep.

 

Ottawa-Glandorf is a very familiar name in girls basketball as they have had four state runner-up finishes in the last 11 years. They also have plenty of solid weapons to make noise in the final four. Karsyn Erford is a senior guard averaging 19.5 points per game and was named the Northwest District D6 Player of the Year. She is joined on the first-team all-district team by teammate Madison McKee, a 6-2 junior averaging close to 13 per game and drawing a lot of college interest. Senior Alivia Grothause is a guard averaging 7.1 and was honored by the district media.

 

 

 

St. Henry, welcome to the show! Making their first ever appearance in the state final four, the Redskins have been solid and efficient all season. This senior-laded team battled through the MAC and a very tough district/regional to get here, now they get to showcase their program. Morgan Baumer, a 5-7 senior is averaging 9.4 points per game while Karlee Buscher scored nine per contest while both were named all-district.

 

Harvest Prep is trying to complete the hat trick for their program as they make their third appearance in the Ohio final four. They showed up in 2010, won gold. Showed up in 2011, won gold. Now the 2026 version of the Warriors look to complete the cycle. Janay Carter is a sophomore combo guard with multiple Division One offers. Monae Gamble, an Ashland commit, is a 5-11 senior wing, while another college commit is Israelle Smith a 5-6 senior point guard going to Bluefield State. Another next level player is Adjoa Achempong, a 6-1 senior post.

 

Canton Central Catholic is an athletic team with multiple options to find the basket. This is their first 20-win season in ten years and first back-to-back district championships in 30 years. They make their first state final four appearance since 1981. Grace Finefrock leads the way as the 5-6 junior scored just shy of 14 points per game. Lily Beldin is a 5-10 senior forward also in double figures with 13.5 per game, and adding 12 per contest is 5-6 senior Sarah Belden.

 

Castalia Margaretta has made their share of trips to the final four in school history, but this is only their second since 2006. It is their sixth overall and coach Ray Neill credits good overall team depth and the ability to adapt to different styles of play as their reason for success. Cassidy Lane is a 6-foot senior forward leading the way at 14 points and 10 boards per game. Ellyse Schaefer is a 5-7 senior who also scores, checking in at 10.3 per game.

 

 

Russia made it through what it always a challenging region to advance to their first appearance in the state final four in school history. This Shelby County high school brings in the Southwest District co-Player of the Year Hazel Francis, a 6-foot junior averaging 10.3 ppg. She has help from Celeste Borchers, a 5-11 junior scoring 6.8 per game and the point guard who makes them go, Aryana Cordonnier, a 5-7 sophomore scoring nearly ten per contest.

 

Strasburg-Franklin makes the trip to Dayton after battling through a tough regional. Sophia Seacrest is their leader, a 5-3 senior guard who was named the East District Player of the Year and averaging 15 ppg. Ally Miller is another all-district first-teamer as the 6-1 post scored her 1,000th point this season while 5-6 point guard Olivia Spidell is the schools new assist leader. A name to watch the next three years is Lydia Thomas, a long and athletic 5-10 freshman averaging 10 points per game.

 

Attica Seneca East makes the trip from the Northwest District for their first ever trip to the state final four in school history. They bring in a balanced attack led by 5-6 senior Izzy Stockmaster, averaging 13.4 points per game, along with fellow senior Alexa Snay, a 5-10 wing who also scores at 13.1 per game. To get to Dayton, Seneca East had to get through Western Reserve and Maplewood in the Massillon Regionals.

 

Ottoville is making their second consecutive trip to the final four and tenth overall. They had a historic regional final, trailing by six in the fourth quarter when the game was postponed due to an unplayable surface and the game was concluded the following day. Ottoville went on a 13-2 run over five minutes to earn the final four trip. Brooklyn Koester leads the way as the 5-6 junior averaged 19.6 ppg. and was All-Northwest District 1st Team and Putnam County Player of the Year. Kendall Schnipke, a 5-9 jr. averaged 12.9 ppg while being named Honorable Mention all-district with Kate Turnwald, a 5-6 sophomore averaging 7.1 points and 5 assists per game.