Stock Rising: Northeast Ohio – Class of 2023

As 2019 comes to and end and 2020 begins, it’s time to look at some kids who have “helped their stock” by playing well in the first half of this season. Focusing on players in Northeast Ohio, today we took at a look at freshmen. The class of 2023 is still obviously establishing themselves and they have a lot of time to do so, but there are girls here who have started their HS careers in fine fashion. <strong>Mahogany Cottingham - Parma</strong> At 5'8, with smooth handles and a silky floor game, Mahogany has tools that are typically found in a player who is much older. She is averaging 22 points per game for Parma and is doing so without monopolizing the ball. She also adds 3 assists, 5 rebounds and 6 steals a night - eye-popping numbers for anyone, let alone a freshman. <strong>Kylie Bettinger, Nina Shaffer and Gia Casalinova - CVCA</strong> These 3 standouts have turned heads through their teams's first 7 games. All 3 are averaging double-figures for CVCA - who is 6-1 overall and 4-1 in the PAC 7. They compliment each other well, Shaffer is a play-maker who creates for teammates, in addition to her own offense. Bettinger has a pure stroke and can fill it up in a hurry. Casalinova is long - she does a great job hitting the boards and can score in transition with the best of them. It's scary to think that these 3 will be playing together for 3.5 more years. <strong>Ashley Kerekes - Copley</strong> As standout Emma Brown was on the shelf with a concussion, Copley was looking for someone to pick up the scoring slack - Ashley Kerekes did just that. Fresh off of a soccer campaign where she was a key contributor for a regional qualifier, Kerekes uses her athleticism to make a lot happen, primarily around the rim. She runs the floor well and could really be a special player if she develops a consistent jumper and some handles. <strong>Nora Levy - Wooster</strong> There are not many point guards in Ohio who have handles like <strong>Nora Levy (pictured above: photo credit - Wooster Daily Record)</strong>. Wooster has been decimated by the injury bug, forcing Levy to be the main ball-handler alongside 1000 point scorer <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/macyn-siegenthaler/">Macyn Siegenthaler</a>. Levy is a great passer with a high basketball IQ. She is not the most athletic kid, but she rarely gets sped up. As she continues to get more confidence - she will be a legitimate scorer off of the dribble. <strong><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/rylee-bennett/">Rylee Bennett</a> - Manchester</strong> <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/rylee-bennett/">Rylee Bennett</a> is on the radar of most basketball fans in Northeast Ohio, but nobody could have anticipated the impact that she would have so early in her HS career. The freshman forward is averaging 16 points and 10 rebounds for Manchester. She provides a legitimate second scoring option for the Panthers, behind All-Ohioan <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/karli-anker/">Karli Anker</a>. Bennett leaps well and rebounds the ball above her head - something that not too many freshman do.