PGH Ohio Rankings – 2021 rising Top 25 (Part 4)

One of the deepest classes in Ohio happens to be the junior class this season. The 2021 group is loaded with several players who will be taking their talent to the next level. The top 25 is full of talented kids, and several of them moved up from the initial rankings. We will continue to take a look at several of the top 25 who saw their stock rise. That will be followed by a look at some of the honorable mention who enter the rankings during this update. <strong>Emma Shumate (Newark)</strong> – At the #12 spot, Emma Shumate is one of the state’s top guards in the Class of 2021. The 6-footer has a smooth stroke, but does so many other things to help her team win. Emma rebounds the ball at a high level – grabbing 8-10 each night. She also dishes out a handful of assists and competes defensively at a very high level. <strong>Hailey Weaver - shown above; Photo Credit - Chagrin Valley Today (Solon)</strong> – Weaver is an outstanding athlete who burst onto the scene during her first two years at Solon – a powerhouse in Northeast Ohio. Hailey – ranked #14 in her class – stuffs the stat sheet in every way possible – including steals and blocked shots, without harming her scoring output – which is 18-20 points every night out from her perimeter position. <strong>Arianna Smith (Columbus Africentric)</strong> – It may not be until Arianna Smith’s senior season when she finally gets appreciated for the player she truly is. This happens when there are Power-5 recruits in each of the 3 classes ahead of you at a school like Columbus Africentric. Smith seems to always play her best in big games – including double-digit scoring efforts in the State Championship against Waynesville and the Regional Championship against Liberty Benton. The forward comes in at #15 on our version of this year’s rankings. <strong>Zoe Miller (Berlin Hiland)</strong> – Zoe Miller – a top 10 post in the Class of 2021 – is one of the state’s best small school players. Entering her junior year at #21 in the PGH rankings, Miller led her team to the State Final 4 – where the Hawks were defeated by Columbus Africentric. Zoe is a Bowling Green commit – who plays as consistently hard as anyone.