OHIO — Basketball “blue bloods” bring familiarity to the game, especially come tournament time. They are just as big a part of things as filling out brackets and cutting down nets.
In college, it’s programs like Duke, Kentucky and UCLA on the men’s side, with Connecticut, Tennessee and Stanford some in the women’s games.
It’s the same at the high school level, especially at the Ohio High School Athletic Association Girls Basketball State Tournament. Schools such as Berlin Hiland (18 appearances), Pickerington Central (13), Columbus Africentric (11), Cincinnati Mount Notre Dame (11) and Fort Loramie (11) have been regulars in recent years.
However, the 2022 state tournament brings in some new blood. Four teams are here for the first time in school history: Massillon Jackson and Anthony Wayne in Division I, Union Local from Belmont County in Division III and Cincinnati Country Day in Division IV. Additionally, 11 of the 16 schools here are chasing a first-ever state title.
Only three squads from the 2021 state tournament are returning to Dayton, none of which captured titles a year ago Those champions were Mount Notre Dame (Division I), Napoleon (Division II), Berlin Hiland (Division III) and Fort Loramie (Division IV).
Furthermore, none of the Ohio Associated Press poll champions are in Dayton (Mount Notre Dame-Division I, Shelby-Division II, Wheelersburg-Division III and Fort Loramie-Division IV).
Completing the transfusion is plenty of young blood. You’ll be able to catch plenty of super sophomores and fabulous freshmen on display at the University of Dayton Arena.
Among those in the Class of 2024 garnering attention are Alyssa Geiser from Waynedale, Jamisyn Stinson at Sheridan, Norton’s Morgan Hallett, Alter’s Riley Smith, Cincinnati Country Day twins Elizabeth and Megan Zimmerman, and Megan Campbell at Massillon Jackson.
Meanwhile, there are 10 freshmen listed as starters for their teams, including Cincinnati Purcell Marian’s Darianna “Dee” Alexander, one of the top first-year players in the entire country. Remarkably, she’s joined by 9th graders Cy’Aira & Ky’Aira Miller (twins) and Trinity Small in the Cavaliers starting lineup.
Antony Wayne counters with its own twins, Elise and Brooke Bender. Mason’s Madison Parrish, Maddie Moody from Alter, Sheridan’s Halle Warner and Waterford’s Avery Wagner round out the list.
Here is a closer look at Thursday’s games:
Division III State Semifinal: Union Local (25-3) vs. Purcell Marian (26-1); Thursday at 12 p.m.
The Cavaliers’ return to the state tournament is remarkable when you consider that sophomore Jayda Mosley is the only returning player from the rotation a year ago. The previously mentioned four freshmen have helped spark an offense that has hit the 70-point mark 12 times on the season, including four games with 80 or more.
Purcell Marian owns victories over other state tournament teams Cincinnati Country Day (Division IV-winning twice), Sheridan and Hartley (both in Division II). The Cavaliers also knocked off Newark and Africentric, two other traditionally strong programs.
Union Local is making its first-ever trip to the Final Four. The Jets are led by a pair of juniors, Torre Kildow (18.5 points per game) and Reagan Vinskovich (16.5 PPG). Union Local dropped its first two games of the year, including the opener to fellow Division III semifinalist Worthington Christian, before winning 25 of its last 26 games.
Division III State Semifinal: Waynedale (28-0) vs. Worthington Christian (26-2); Thursday at 2 p.m.
Speaking of the Warriors, Worthington Christian returns for the first time in 21 years. The boys program reached the Division III championship game a year ago, and now it’s the girls’ turn.
The Weakley family has been a strength for the school for over a quarter century. Kevin is the athletic director (and boys’ head coach), while daughter Megan is a junior. Kevin’s father, Scott, is an assistant with the girls’ team, and started the family legacy when he was the boys’ head coach.
The girls’ head coach, Jason Dawson, is also known for training with Ohio State men’s player Malaki Branham, who won his own state title in 2019 and 2021 for Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary. Branham was named the Big Ten’s Freshman of the Year earlier this week.
Waynedale returns to Dayton in 2022, and owns the state’s longest winning streak, thanks to Mason’s upset of Mount Notre Dame last weekend (more on that Friday). The Golden Bears are a perfect 28-0 on the year, the only remaining undefeated team in the state.
Waynedale thrives on defense, allowing opponents less than 30 points a game. Six teams failed to get to 20 points on the Golden Bears this season, including three that were stuck in single-digits.
Division II State Semifinal: Sheridan (24-3) vs. Norton (23-5); Thursday at 6 p.m.
In the Thursday evening session, Division II takes center stage. In the first semifinal, Sheridan is back at states for the second time in four years, falling to eventual champion Toledo Rogers in the 2019 semifinals.
The Generals’ seniors were freshmen in the program at that time, including Faith Stinson, who is signed to play next season at Akron. Her name is all over Sheridan’s record book, as the school’s all-time leader in points (1,389), rebounds (944) and blocks (315). Her younger sister, Jamisyn, has entries as well for three-point shooting. The sophomore broke her own single-season mark for made threes (78), and enters the tournament with 89 on the year.
Norton head coach Brian Miller is proof that good things come to those who wait. The 19-year veteran recently won his 300th career game, to go with seven Metro Athletic Conference titles, and seven regional tournament appearances in the last 12 years. He finally gets to the state tournament, guiding the Panthers to their first Final Four since 1986.
One key for Norton is on the scoreboard. The Panthers are 1-4 this season when scoring less than 45 points. The good news? The lone win was the most recent game, a 44-27 triumph over Salem in the regional final.
Division II State Semifinal: Hartley (19-6) vs. Alter (26-1); Thursday at 8 p.m.
These two schools have combined for 17 state tournament appearances and seven championships. One of them will get a chance to play for another.
Hartley holds the distinction of being one of the first ever state champions, winning the Class AA title in 1976, the first year the OHSAA held the girls’ basketball tournament. The Hawks most recent championship was in 2000.
This team relies on its starters, with each averaging 24-plus minutes per game. Juniors Kiki McElrath (18.1 PPG) and Ella Brandewie (11.9 PPG, 14.6 rebounds per game) pace Hartley. Brandewie is already committed to play volleyball at Ohio State. Her father, Tom, won a state basketball title in the same building (UD Arena) in 1987 at Fort Loramie.
Alter, located in Kettering, is just six miles away from the University of Dayton campus. The short trip is no doubt appreciated after making the hour-long trek east to Columbus so many years. The Knights won three straight titles from 2015 to 2017.
Another roster with underclassmen contributing, the Knights are getting nearly 14 points a game from sophomore Riley Smith, and almost 12 a game from freshman Maddie Moody.
The lone loss for Alter was to Akron Hoban, which was undefeated until the regional tournament. That game was of just five this season that have been decided by single digits.
High school sports are the lifeblood for many in Ohio, including Spectrum News 1. The semifinals are available for Spectrum video customers on channel 314, and the championship games on Saturday will be live on Spectrum News 1 and the Spectrum News App. OHSAA Championship Gameday coverage begins 15 minutes before each game, and returns immediately following the contest.
10:45 a.m. – Division III Championship Game
2 p.m. – Division II Championship Game
5:15 p.m. – Division IV Championship Game
8:30 p.m. – Division I Championship Game
