Ms. Basketball favorites

Jim Dabbelt January 26, 2022 @ 10:07 AM

As the season winds toward the Ohio state tournament draw this Sunday, the post-season awards begin to take shape. Every year, the Ohio Prep Sportswriters Association selects the all-Ohio teams along with the biggest honor, Ohio Ms. Basketball. While we will be selecting our own version of All-Ohio later in the postseason, here are some names who I feel are the favorites to receive the honor as the top player in Ohio. [player_tooltip player_id="32600" first="KK" last="Bransford"], 5-11 2022, Mount Notre Dame- the reigning Ms. Basketball award winner is the clear favorite to repeat for the award. Headed to Notre Dame, KK (feature photo above) has led the Cougars to another great season as they look to win another state title. She is polished and can play any position on the floor. She can score from behind the arc, or penetrate and score at the rim. She is my pick to repeat at the winner. <img class="size-medium wp-image-325313 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/09/IMG_0080.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="225" />[player_tooltip player_id="32618" first="Imarianah" last="Russell"], 5-11 2022, Reynoldsburg- I really love her complete game, she is one of the strongest physical players I have seen in a while. Able to control the pace of the game, will play physical and take over a game if needed. Great on the boards, vocal leader and solid defender. (pictured left) [player_tooltip player_id="32606" first="Chance" last="Gray"], 5-11 2022 Winton Woods- Headed to Oregon, Chance is one of the most all-around dangerous threats in Ohio. Unbelievable threat from the perimeter with no range limit. Able to create for herself and her team, very sound fundamental player. Averaging over 25 ppg and among the leaders in assists. The complete package. [player_tooltip player_id="92512" first="Lanae" last="Riley"], 5-11 2022, Akron Hoban- The top senior in Northeast Ohio, Lanae has worked herself into a player who will shine at the next level. She is a strong physical player who can do damage in the paint, or step out and score from the perimeter. Solid defender, good court sense and a solid basketball IQ. [player_tooltip player_id="32621" first="Faith" last="Stinson"], 6-1 2022, Sheridan- I have liked to watch this player do her thing for a couple of years, and she continues to to grow and improve her game. Long and athletic, she can hurt you in a variety of ways. Runs the floor and plays uptempo, can dictate the post game and has range. Moves well without the ball, gets into position to create the best play for her team. [player_tooltip player_id="32617" first="Kyla" last="Oldacre"], 6-5 2022, Mason- Yes, you read it right. Cincinnati is loaded with talented basketball players right now, with three McDonalds All American game selections including Kyla. She is a strong physical force who dominates the paint, blocks or alters shots from this trying to get to the rim. Good footwork and able to score with either hand. Has range and has game has really grown at Mason. <img class="size-medium wp-image-359350 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/12/Sole.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" />[player_tooltip player_id="157707" first="Sole" last="Williams"], 5-7 2023, Princeton- The best 2023 in Ohio also resides in Cincinnati. Sole (pictured left) is such an explosive player with the ball, she can score on anyone, with either hand and in any fashion. Very good handles and swag to run the offense in an uptempo style. Loves to run the floor, finishes in transition and she keeps getting better. Big defensive stopper, makes plays with active hands. [player_tooltip player_id="157686" first="Mari" last="Bickley"], 5-10 2023, Laurel- This Northeast Ohio standout has caught the eye of everyone in the game, and for good reason. It is unlikely that a non-senior wins the award with all of the senior talent listed above, but when it comes to juniors, she is at the top of the mountain with Sole. Very explosive and physical, can hurt you in many ways. God body control and able to make plays. <img class="size-medium wp-image-360418 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/12/IMG_0969-296x300.jpeg" alt="" width="296" height="300" />[player_tooltip player_id="360697" first="Darriana" last="Alexander"], 6-1 2025, Purcell Marian- She is clearly the longest shot to win as a freshman, but let’s be real. She is one of the top five players in Ohio regardless of class. Likely the top freshman in America, Dee (pictured left) has polished all of her game and has no glaring flaws. Just continuing to gain experience. She has a great inside-out game with such explosiveness and drive, her game will become even scarier in the next three years.