Ohio D2 State Championship- Winton Woods 70 Anthony Wayne 55

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A big first day of the state championships ended with the Division 2 state title game, and Winton Woods captured their first state title in school history with a 70-55 win over Anthony Wayne. It was a great matchup between Ms. Basketball candidate [player_tooltip player_id='319654' first='Elise' last='Bender'] and the PGH Ohio #1 ranked 2028 Strawberry Blankumsee. Both didn't disappoint as they put on a show in this exciting matchup.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Players of the Game</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>[player_tooltip player_id='966455' first='Dakahri' last='Blankumsee'], 5-9 2028, Winton Woods- </em>she took the big stage by storm. In the opening quarter, Strawberry exploded out of the gate with her incredible speed and first step to blast past the defense for a pair of easy layups as she had set the tone for her night. She put everyone in Ohio on notice. Had no trouble scoring on the drive to the rim. Settle in and enjoy her show for the next three years! <em>(Feature photo above)</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>[player_tooltip player_id='319654' first='Elise' last='Bender'], 6-0 2025, Anthony Wayne-</em> Elise was the runner-up for the states Ms. Basketball award, and she showed why in the state finals. She has so many tools in her arsenal, an outstanding shooter with great range and is so agile with the rock, elevates well and can knock down the midrange. She is special and looks to continue at Villanova. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Stat Stuffers</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Winton Woods</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Points- [player_tooltip player_id='966455' first='Dakahri' last='Blankumsee'] 28 points, [player_tooltip player_id='319301' first='Daniah' last='Trammell'] 17 points, [player_tooltip player_id='748813' first='Whitley' last='Davis'] 11 points, Niyala Harmon 10 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rebounds- [player_tooltip player_id='319301' first='Daniah' last='Trammell'] 8 rebounds.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Steals- [player_tooltip player_id='966455' first='Dakahri' last='Blankumsee'] 3 steals, Ra'Khyia Price 3 steals, [player_tooltip player_id='748813' first='Whitley' last='Davis'] 3 steals, [player_tooltip player_id='319301' first='Daniah' last='Trammell'] 3 steals</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Anthony Wayne</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Points- [player_tooltip player_id='319654' first='Elise' last='Bender'] 26 points, [player_tooltip player_id='538056' first='Leah' last='Pike'] 14 points, [player_tooltip player_id='319655' first='Brooke' last='Bender'] 10 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rebounds- [player_tooltip player_id='319654' first='Elise' last='Bender'] 13 rebounds, [player_tooltip player_id='538056' first='Leah' last='Pike'] 11 rebounds</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Assists- Sophia Smith 4 assists, [player_tooltip player_id='1305505' first='Corrin' last='Voltz'] 3 assists</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Steals- [player_tooltip player_id='319654' first='Elise' last='Bender'] 3 steals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Stars Were Out Bright</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>[player_tooltip player_id='319301' first='Daniah' last='Trammell'], 6-1 2025, Winton Woods- </em>Daniah is such a strong player in the paint, has good footwork allowing her to&nbsp;maneuver around the paint and effectively produce with the ball. Solid on the boards, had an incredible career with Warriors. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Niyala Harmon, 5-8 2025, Winton Woods- </em>This was the first time I have seen her play, and she caught my eye with the effort and grit she has for the game. She showed out in the first half with a pair of huge deep threes from the left corner to allow Winton Woods to keep their momentum.&nbsp;Niyala played almost 18 minutes and scored double figures with only 1 turnover. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>[player_tooltip player_id='538056' first='Leah' last='Pike'], 6-0 2026, Anthony Wayne- </em>Leah may be known as a volleyball kid as she heads off to college after next season to play that sport, but she is very talented on the basketball court! She flows well in their offensive scheme and produces both inside and out. Leah had a fast start with 9 first quarter point as she was instrumental in their early success. Solid defender and moves well to deny and pressure.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>[player_tooltip player_id='319655' first='Brooke' last='Bender'], 6-0 2025, Anthony Wayne- </em>Like her sister Elise, it will be off to the east coast as both girls head to Villanova in the fall. Brooke is a great player who can beat you in a variety of ways. She will hurt you if you leave her alone out behind the arc. She is a composed wing with good hands and can defend. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->