Ohio Final 4 Preview – Division 3 and 4

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The state Final Four previews continue tonight with a look at the Division 3 &amp; 4 state semis.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DIVISION 3 STATE SEMIS</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":744736,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/08/Tatiana-Mason12.jpg?w=683" alt="" class="wp-image-744736" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Lyndhurst Brush vs Avon Lake, Sunday 3pm, @ Canton Fieldhouse</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is the first trip in school history to the state Final Four for Brush High School as they bring in an explosive offensive with a very talented backcourt, to battle with Avon Lake, making their first appearance in the Final Four in over 30 years when they won the state title in 1994.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Players to Watch</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Brush</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='808264' first='Tatiana' last='Mason'], 5-10 2027. Ranked #3 in the updated 2027 rankings. <em>(feature photo)</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='809039' first='Chaniyra' last='McDowell-Isaacs']. 5-7 2027. Ranked #5 in the updated 2027 rankings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='537686' first='Nyla' last='Mason'], 5-8 2028. Ranked on the 2028 Watch List.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jakalyn Brown, 6-4 2026.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Avon Lake</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='327770' first='Izzie' last='Polinko'], 5-6 2025.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Olivia Tobin, 5-6 2025.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Brush is loaded at the guard spot by a pair of stellar sophomores. Mason is averaging 19 points and 11 rebounds per game while continuing to open the eyes of everyone who sees her play. She was just named Northeast Lakes Division 3 Player of the Year and is a double-double machine. McDowell-Isaacs is also a sophomore who has been running the offense with nearly 15 points per game and is a stellar defender. [player_tooltip player_id='537686' first='Nyla' last='Mason'] is a player who continues to grow her skillset with the ability to score. Brown is a post with good size and the ability to control the boards. As for Avon Lake, it is about peaking at the right time. While they don't have a top ranked PGH player, what they do have is a team who is playing exceptional defense and displaying teamwork that has led them to the final four. Three players have been honored as Lorain County 1st Team players; Polinko, Tobin and [player_tooltip player_id='537957' first='Olivia' last='Miller']. They will bring it Sunday making this a battle!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":574739,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2022/12/Darriana-Alexander-copy-rotated-crop-3024x1986-1672433496.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-574739" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Toledo Notre Dame Academy vs Purcell Marian, Sunday 3pm., St. Mary's High School</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Purcell Marian is going for their fourth consecutive state championship and brings in a loaded team. up and down the lineup. NDA is no stranger to success in the post season, this is their ninth trip to the final four since 2012.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Players to Watch</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Toledo Notre Dame Academy</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='360837' first='Jade' last='Battle'], 5-11 2025. Listed on the Watch List in the last 2025 update in November. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='319048' first='JayLynn' last='Nicholson'], 5-9 2025. Listed on the Watch List in the last 2025 update.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Purcell Marian</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dee Alexander, 6-1 2025. Ranked #1 in the last 2025 update in November. <em>(feature photo)</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='451530' first='Cy'Aira' last='Miller'], 5-6 2025. Ranked #12 in the last 2025 update. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='451570' first='Ky'Aira' last='Miller'], 5-6 2025. Ranked #15 in the last 2025 update.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='808266' first='Samaya' last='Wilkins'], 6-3 2027. Ranked #6 in the updated 2027 rankings. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Purcell Marian looking to continue their historic run for these seniors, going after their 4th title in a row. They are the heavy favorites in D3 and bring in Cincinnati recruit and reigning Ohio Ms. Basketball Dee Alexander, along with the Miller sisters, both capable to putting up big numbers. Wilkins is a player who has very prolific footwork around the rim and makes things happen. Battle is a very solid defender with good length and can read and react to the play. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DIVISION 4 STATE SEMIS</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Shaker Heights Laurel vs Bellevue, Saturday 3pm @ Elyria Catholic HS</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Laurel makes their third trip to the final four, including last year. Bellevue has never been on this stage before, and will look to battle through the nerves to be ready to compete. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Players to Watch</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Laurel</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='852934' first='Tristan' last='Williams'], 5-9 2026 Ranked #14 in the updated 2026 rankings. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nyla Edwards, 5-6 2027 Ranked #49 in the updated 2027 rankings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bellevue</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='420073' first='Hailey' last='Rees'], 5-9 2025. Ranked on the Watch List in the last 2025 update in November.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>KT Turinsky, 6-3 2026. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>CJ Savage, 6-0 2027.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bellevue has some kids who will be landing in the next PGH update in May, no question about it. Turinksy is such a force after watching her on film, and Savage is coming into her own and will be a factor. Rees will also be moved up when we release the final 2025 rankings later this month. She has all the tools to be such a big factor, runs the break well and can score in all three phases. They are solid and with one loss, they are eyeing a shot at Dayton. Laurel is a team who made one thing clear this year. They may have lost their best player from last year who transferred to Florida, but they are here for business. Williams is a player who can change direction and speed on a dime, score in transition and finish well. She has quickness to make a difference. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":399584,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2022/03/IMG_8477-scaled.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-399584" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lancaster Fairfield Union vs Kettering Alter, Saturday 1pm. @ Ohio Dominican University</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is the first trip to the state final four for Fairfield Union since 1999 and they are coming in unbeaten on the season. Alter is no stranger to the final four, making their tenth trip to the big dance, their first since 2022 when they won the title. They also won three straight from 2015-2017. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Players to Watch</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Fairfield Union</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1213887' first='Christian' last='Thompson'], 6-0 2025. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Maycee Martindill, 5-3 2026</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kettering Alter</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Maddie Moody, 6-1 2025. Ranked #5 in the last 2025 update in November. <em>(feature photo)</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='833878' first='Izzie' last='Arcuri'], 5-8 2028. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1213887' first='Christian' last='Thompson'] leads Fairfield Union into the state semis with unblemished record on the season, and she is another player who will be added to the next ranking update when the senior group gets their final look later in the month. She has great length and is effective on the boards. Nice soft touch at the rim, solid handles and pushes tempo. Moody is such a talented player with a great inside/out game, can knock down the three and can defend. Arcuri is a rising freshman who has added to her game during the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->