Uncover the Powerhouses of the 2024-25 Girls Basketball Season

Magnificat

Coach Danny Gallagher leads Magnificat with a team that's primed for success. Last season, they had a record of 21-7 and reached the state semifinals. This year, they return three All-Ohio honorees - senior Julia Hall (first team), senior Reese Roggenburk (special mention), and senior Sofia Wilson (honorable mention). Both Hall and Wilson are on track to reach 1,000 career points. The Blue Streaks are looking to make another deep run in the Division I state tournament.

Last season, Magnificat was knocked out of the state semifinals by eventual state champion Olmsted Falls. But with this talented core returning, they'll be a force to be reckoned with.

Brush

Coach Damarris Winters has a young but promising team in Brush. Sophomore guard/forward Tatiana Mason averaged 18 points and 10 rebounds last season and was named second-team All-Ohio. Sophomore guard Chaniyra McDowell-Isaacs was an honorable mention with 15 points, five assists, and three steals per game as a freshman. Junior center Jakalyn Brown is a returning starter after averaging 11 points and 11 rebounds a year ago. And the youth movement continues with freshman Nyla Mason, who averaged 30 points in eighth grade and will start this season.

Brush is looking to build on their success from last season and make a name for themselves in Division III.

Archbishop Hoban

Coach Pam Davis's Knights return four starters from last season, including juniors Niera “Zig” Stevens, MaKenzie Grant, Taylyn Banta, and Zoey Hodge. Unlike last year, Banta will be available for the entire season after sitting out due to transfer rules. Hoban will once again face a tough schedule and challenge themselves to reach new heights.

The Knights are determined to make a statement in Division III and continue their winning ways.

Medina

Coach Karen Kase's Medina Bees have a star in leading scorer Olivia Klanac. She hit 1,000 career points last season and is on pace to set numerous program records. She averaged 19.5 points, 4.9 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 4.8 steals and was named first-team All-Ohio, Northeast Inland District Player of the Year in Division I, and the co-Greater Cleveland Conference Player of the Year. The Bees also return plenty of experience from last year's regional final run with juniors Addy Shook and Abby Dress and sophomore Molly Gilbert.

Medina is aiming for another deep playoff run and to establish themselves as a dominant force in Division I.

Stow-Munroe Falls

Coach Bob Podges's Bulldogs are looking to defend their Suburban League title. They return three starters in senior Kadence Dodds, junior Kennady Dodds, and sophomore Alli Knouff. Stow will rely on their depth and play 9-10 girls each night to achieve their goals.

The Bulldogs are ready to battle it out in Division I and continue their winning streak.

Strongsville

Coach Madyson Farnbauch's Mustangs return a pair of All-Ohio performers from last year - senior Sydney Bass (special mention) and sophomore Sidney Butera (honorable mention). Bass averaged 14.4 points while Butera put in 13 points per night. Strongsville also returns two other starters in senior guard Kennadi Neal and senior post Eszter Dioszegi.

The Mustangs are aiming to build on their success and make a mark in Division I.

Streetsboro

Coach Carl Singer's Rockets return one of the best players in Ohio in senior post Naomi Benson. She will surpass 1,000 rebounds this season and become the program's all-time leading scorer. Streetsboro also returns three other starters in senior guard Sydney Abbuhl, junior guard/forward Carlee Bedford, and junior point guard Olivia Johnson-Wilson.

The Rockets are ready to make a splash in Division IV and continue their playoff success.

St. Vincent-St. Mary

Coach Carley Whitney's Fighting Irish return a pair of starters from last year - senior guards Kendal Batchik and Denni Lawrence. Batchik is just 15 3-pointers away from the program record and shoots 50% from deep. The pair will handle point guard duties. STVM will play a deep roster and has plenty of options to score the ball, including sophomore Melania Cornute who is already on the radar of Division I college coaches.

The Fighting Irish are looking to make a strong showing in Division III.

Green

Coach Alicia Manning's Bulldogs are led by a pair of All-Ohio returning seniors. Jenna Slates averaged 18 points and 12 rebounds last season and earned third-team All-Ohio honors. She broke the school's career rebounding and steals records while tying the school record for most steals in a game. Sydney Shocklee averaged 8.6 points and was named honorable mention All-Ohio.

Green is hoping to build on their sectional final appearance and make a name for themselves in Division II.

Avon Lake

Coach Paul Appel's Shoregals return three starters who were named to one of the All-Southwestern Conference teams - senior guards Izzie Polinko and Olivia Tobin and junior guard Olivia Miller. Avon Lake is built on its defensive principles and hopes to get some scoring from their younger players this season.

The Shoregals are looking to improve on their district semifinal finish and make a mark in Division III.

Warrensville Heights

Coach Ourtney Brown's Tigers return four of the five starters from last season. Senior guards Demarrionna Branch, Tamarra Thomas, and Katherine McCormick, and senior post player Brie’anah Hill will lead the way. The Tigers are aiming to build on their regional semifinal appearance and have a successful season.

Warrensville Heights is ready to make a statement in Division IV.

Wadsworth

Coach Andy Booth's Grizzlies will benefit from a healthy Lauren Decker this season. The junior missed a significant portion of her sophomore season with an injury but was dominant on the volleyball court, helping Wadsworth reach the state semifinals. Wadsworth also returns seniors Ana Pinkerton, Natalie McDermott, and Reece Simpson and junior Jordyn Stoops.

The Grizzlies are looking to have a strong season and make a playoff push.

Olmsted Falls

Coach Jordan Eaton's Bulldogs are now in Division II after winning the Division I state championship last year. They lost last season's leading scorer Danielle Cameron but return Maddie Cerovec, who scored 8.3 points per game and was named honorable mention All-Ohio. The Bulldogs also have juniors Jesse Simon (15 points in state semifinal), Avery Delisio, Brooke Largent, and sophomores Grace Largent and Emma Schaefer with plenty of experience.

Olmsted Falls will be looking to adapt to the new division and continue their winning ways.

Gilmour Academy

Coach Kevin Byrne's Lancers are a young team with just one returning starter (senior forward Elaina Kline-Ruminsk) and two other players with varsity experience. The key for Gilmour will be how quickly the underclassmen can adapt to playing at the varsity level every night.

Gilmour is looking to develop their young talent and make a mark in Division III.

Highland

Coach James Madison's Hornets return all five starters from last season, including seniors Kennedy Morgan (special mention All-Ohio) and Aleena VanKirk, junior Grace Shondel, and sophomores Rowan Kildoo and Emeri Gausman. Highland also returns seven other players who saw varsity time last year.

Highland is aiming to build on their district semifinal appearance and have a successful season.

Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy

Coach Andy O’Keefe's Royals return all their players from last season, including guard Joi Williams who was named third-team All-Ohio in Division II. They also have all-conference players Elizabeth Fisher and Hunter Guinn. CVCA has switched conferences to the North Coast Conference this season.

The Royals are ready to make their mark in the new conference and have a successful season.

Ellet

Coach Nick Harris's Orangemen are led by Kent State commit Caitlyn Holmes, who will become the leading all-time scorer in Ellet history. The three-time defending Akron City Series champions also return senior starters Jaeda Tavares and Dacai Singletary, but will be without honorable mention All-Ohio honoree Sanaiiya Gray to start the season.

Ellet is looking to continue their winning ways and make a statement in Division III.

Keystone

After an undefeated regular season last year, Coach Rocky Houston's Wildcats start this season with their best player sidelined due to injury. Senior shooting guard Brooklyn Barber is recovering from ACL surgery but the team still has three other returning starters in senior small forward Vivian Cassell, senior guard Rylee Jedrzejek, and sophomore point guard Madyson Sokolowski. Cassell and Sokolowski were second and third on the team in scoring last season.

Keystone is hoping to bounce back and have a successful season despite the injury setback.

Elyria Catholic

The Panthers face big questions this season. They need to replace guard Isabelle Niederst, who was first-team All-Ohio last season with 19 points per game. They also need to adapt to the newly formed North Coast Conference. But Elyria Catholic returns a pair of starters at guard in Camara Ogletree and Mya Rivera, and post Lexi Rodriguez. They have four other guards with varsity experience and will rely on their speed and ballhandling.

Elyria Catholic is looking to find their rhythm and have a successful season in Division IV.

Copley

After a state semifinal appearance last year, Coach Julie Solis's Indians will look to replace their two All-Ohio players from last season. Junior guard Evelyn Knight averaged 7.5 points and junior Audrey Parker scored 7.2. Junior Zoey Van Voorhis also averaged 4.0 points and senior Angelique Lane added 3.4.

Copley is hoping to build on their success and have a strong season in Division III.

North Ridgeville

First-team All-Ohio honoree Grace Kingery is gone, but North Ridgeville returns four players who played in at least 20 games last season. Junior Reyna Balderas averaged 5.2 points and will be a key contributor. The Rangers will need to adapt to not having a dominant scorer.

North Ridgeville is looking to find their new identity and have a successful season in Division II.

Solon

Coach Trish Kruse's Comets are young this season with just one returning senior in the starting lineup - Erica Olszewski. They also have one junior and one sophomore returning from injuries. Solon will have to deal with the loss of a Blackford sister as first-team All-Ohio guard Mackenzie Blackford has moved on.

Solon is looking to develop their young talent and have a competitive season in Division II.

Richmond Heights

Coach Eugene White's Spartans are led by junior guard Honor Hall, who scored 18.1 points and was named first-team All-Ohio. They also return guard Mya Johnson who was an honorable mention All-Ohio last season.

Richmond Heights is aiming to build on their regional semifinal appearance and have a successful season in Division VI.

Beaumont

After finishing last year's regular season at No. 25, Coach Steve Klug's Blue Streaks return 11 players who earned a varsity letter. One of their biggest questions will be how they adapt to the new North Coast Conference.

Beaumont is looking to make a comeback and have a successful season in Division IV.

Brecksville-Broadview Heights

Coach Joe Zenir's Bees return plenty of experience with all five starters from last season and the return of Bridget Barber, who missed last season due to injury. Senior forward Jesse Zenir averaged 11 points and 10 rebounds last season and was named first-team All-Suburban League.

Brecksville-Broadview Heights is ready to build on their success and have a strong season in Division II.