Articles

Jim Dabbelt is the author of The Dabbelt Report, considered the premier girls’ basketball online source in Ohio. He has just completed his 40th year covering girls’ basketball in Ohio which is the longest tenure in Ohio history covering a single womens sport. He is also the senior writer for Prep Girls Hoops Ohio along with the sports editor for the Tippecanoe Gazette.

 

During the day, Jim also works in a Cancer Center at Premier Health in the Dayton area. He is also a fellow member of the Ohio Prep Sports Media Association.

You can follow Jim on Twitter @JDabbs86 or Facebook, or contact him at [email protected].

 

 

 

It’s an anniversary season for the OHSAA Girls Basketball state tournament as they will take the court for their 50th anniversary championship weekend, as the newly-formed seven divisions will host their state championship games March 14-15 at the University of Dayton arena. Three games will take place Friday with a full day of basketball on Saturday, with the remaining four state championship games to begin at 10:45a.m.

 

 

With three consecutive state titles, the Purcell Marian Cavaliers are looking to do something that has not been accomplished since Hathaway Brown did it from 2009-2012 and that is to win four consecutive state championships. It’s surreal to think this senior group could finish with titles in every year of high school, but that is what lies ahead of them. Dee Alexander (6-1 senior) is the two-time Ms. Basketball award winner with this year's winner to be announced this week. The University of Cincinnati signee is joined by sisters Cy’Aira and Ky’Aira Miller who were both all-district players along with sophomore Samaya Wilkins and Trinity Small.

 

Avon Lake earned a spot in the finals with a win over Brush in the Final Four. Olivia Miller leads the way for the Shoregals, as the 5-10 junior is scoring in double figures at 10.2 points per game. Another all-district player is Bre Jones, a 5-11 senior who was honored as a third-team all-district and she comes in averaging just under ten points per game. Two other players who could play a big factor in the game are Olivia Tobin, a 5-6 senior guard along with Izzie Polinko, a 5-5 senior. This is the first appearance in the state championship game since they won the title in 1994.

 

 

Alter is no stranger to the Final Four, and this is their eighth trip in school history to the championship game. They have five state titles in school history including three in a row from 2015-2017. The Knights got here despite a very young team and eight losses on the season including a 4-6 record in the very difficult GCL Coed. But peaking at the right time is key, and the young Knights have won seven straight games. Leading the way is 6-0 senior Maddie Moody, who is headed to Northern Kentucky in the fall. She became the all-time leading scorer and rebounder in school history. Freshman Izzie Arcuri is a player who has stepped up following the loss of fellow freshman Sarah Brand, who was lost with an ACL injury late in the season. Also returning from injury is 6-1 junior Da’Shai Shepard.

 

Bellevue is in unfamiliar territory, making their first appearance in the state championship game in school history. With their semi-final win over Laurel, it was their first ever state semi-final victory in their first appearance. They are led by 5-8 senior Hailey Rees, the leader of the Lady Red this season who was named first-team all-Northwest District.

Rees has some outstanding teammates who will be counted on to put together their best game of the season on the biggest stage. KT Turinsky is a 6-3 junior and CJ Savage is a 6-foot sophomore who are both capable of a big game. They have accumulated the most wins in school history coming into the final game, and they would love to add one more. They have won 15 straight league titles in the Sandusky Bay Conference- Lake Conference.

 

 

First of all, what a state semi game for Winton Woods. Trailing for most of the game against Big Walnut before a big fourth quarter and overtime victory to advance to the finals. University of Buffalo signee Daniah Trammell leads the way as the Division Two Southwest District Player of the Year comes in averaging 15 points per game. Freshman Strawberry Blankumsee is an electric 5-10 freshman athlete and her game is growing, as the Division One recruit causes havoc on the court. Whitley Davis was also all-district as the 5-11 junior is a difference maker.

 

Anthony Wayne survived a battle with Olmsted Falls to advance to the championship game, and they bring in one of the most electric players in the state in 6-1 senior Elise Bender, who was a Ms. Basketball finalist. She is headed to Villanova and can score at will, with a deadly jumper and smooth midrange game. Brooke Bender is a 6-0 senior who will join her sister at Villanova and is also a prolific scorer for the Generals. Add in college volleyball recruit 6-0 junior Leah Pike and you have quite a formidable trio of contributors.

 

 

Portsmouth is making their second consecutive trip to the UD Arena for the state tournament, but their first appearance in the championship game in school history. The Trojans under the direction of former UConn and Xavier college basketball standout Amy Hughes, have a lot of firepower and they are hoping their year of experience in this arena can be a difference for them in the finals. They defeated Proctorville Fairland in the state semis 63-40 and they bring in Southeast District Player of the Year and Division One college recruit Sienna Allen. 6-0 junior along with first-team all-District player Daysha Reid who is a 5-7 senior headed to Georgetown (KY). Add to the mix 5-10 sophomore Hayven Carter who has several Division One offers along with 5-6 sophomore Keke Woods, and this team is primed for a good stretch of success.

 

Norwayne knocked off the defending state champions from Africentric in the Final Four, and like Portsmouth last season, this is the first-ever appearance in the Final Four for the Bobcats. They are led by a very talented 5-11 junior Ava Maibach averaging over 14 points and nearly six assists per game. Maibach is an outstanding athlete with great length who leads a balanced team which includes 5-9 junior Allie DeMassimo averaging 12 points per game and 6-1 freshman Hannah Froelich who scores just under 11 per contest. The last three tournament wins were all single-digits meaning they can play well in a tight game.

 

 

Fans at the state finals will get to see what Northwest Ohio has seen for the last four years, as the Northwest District co-Player of the Year Lauryn Auchmuty suits up for her final game at Columbus Grove. The Findlay recruit is averaging 24.1 points per game and was big in their semifinal victory over Minster in a tight game. Auchmuty is a guard who can take control of the game and step up in big moments. Nicole Nesby, a 6-foot junior, has produced big in the postseason, and she is a player looking to make her last game of the season her best.

 

Rootstown is yet another team who is making their first appearance in the state Final Four, and after a big win over Fort Frye, they head into the state championship game with a 27-1 record. The Rovers are led by 5-10 senior Nadia Lough who comes into the game averaging 13 points per game and nearly eight rebounds per contest. She is a multidimensional player with good vision and a great passer, averaging three assists per game. Colbie Curall is a 5-9 junior who is also averaging double figures in scoring, as does 5-2 senior Kelsey Bittecuffer.

 

 

Making what seems to be an annual appearance in the state Final Four is Fort Loramie, who is here for the fourth time since 2020 and the 13th time in school history. The Redskins have won state titles in 2013, 2015, 2021 and 2024 with Carla Siegel at the helm. Fort Loramie brings in their senior duo of Avery Brandewie and Victoria Mescher. Brandewie earned co-Player of the Year in the Southwest District with Mississinawa Valley senior Taylee Woodbury, and averages nearly 19 points per game. Mescher, headed to Findlay for volleyball, gives Fort Loramie a lethal one-two punch which is difficult to handle and was also named first-team all-district. They lost starting point guard Maddie Shatto to an ACL injury, but the balanced squad has delivered in the big games.

 

Waterford is making their fifth championship game appearance and eighth Final Four overall. They have two state titles including the latest in 2022. These two teams met last year in the finals with Fort Loramie winning 42-29 and the returning Waterford players are focused. Kendall Sury is the Southeast District co-Player of the Year with Green sophomore Abbie Knapp as the 5-9 senior is their floor general. 6-4 senior Avery Wagner is another big factor as the Division One recruit was also first-team all-District averaging 12.7 points per game. Another key factor will be Avery Smithberger, a 5-10 senior who was second-team all-district.

 

 

Both of these teams won thrilling state semi-final games as Princeton beat the defending state runner-up Springboro and Pickerington Central knocked off Magnificat on Sunday. Princeton brings in Florida State signee Mari Gerton, as the 5-8 senior was recently honored as a first-team All-District player averaging 17.1 per game. Freshman phenom Erin Thomas has opened everyones eyes this season, with the 6-1 major college recruit continuing to improve her skillset. Senior Kali Fortson is a 6-foot post who will join 5-10 sophomore Kiara Harris and 5-5 junior Heaven Sneed rounding out a very formidable lineup for the Vikings.

 

Pickerington Central is another team who is no stranger to this stage. The Tigers have been to the Final Four 16 times including the last three years. They are loaded with talent all through their lineup. Seniors Kennady Gordon is a 5-8 guard headed to Long Island University while their junior class is led by Blossom Wallace, a 6-1 wing with several offers along with 6-0 forward London Johnson who is also a Division One recruit. A youngster to watch is rising sophomore Zoe Coleman who has a complete game from the guard spot. Kallie Almond is a solid senior headed to Taylor.