Mark Lewis/ESPN HoopGurlz Maleeka Kynard showed she can score the ball well for Start.COLUMBUS, Ohio -- There are 13 Division I programs in Ohio and 45 percent of those teams' rosters consist of in-state talent. So, it should come as no surprise that if you look around the girl's basketball landscape in the Buckeye state this year, you'll see some seniors heading to some pretty high profile locations to continue their basketball careers. Ohio State, Stanford, Duke, Illinois, Vanderbilt, USC and Old Dominion along with a host of other college programs have found what they're looking for in Ohio.
The OHSAA State Tournament brought together the season's most successful teams in each classification as well as some of those seniors who will be moving on to college basketball next season. Also on the big stage were some of the state's best young talent, who will have keep the fans and college coaches watching Ohio closely over the next several years.
A few of the underclass standouts:
Point guard Alexis Dobbs led her Hathaway Brown team to the Division III title and demonstrated the speed that will offset her diminutive 5-foot-5 size. Her explosive quickness allows her to penetrate and create her own looks as well as set up her teammates. Her shooting percentage over the two games could have been higher (41 percent) but averaging 10 points and 3.5 assists over both games were keys in the Blazer's title. She's a harassing on-ball defender every possession and utilizes her lateral speed to turn opposing ballhandlers.
Tay'ler Mingo isn't a secret in Ohio, or anywhere else for that matter. Ranked 46th in the ESPN HoopGurlz Super 60, she has all the tools and versatility that will allow her to play at any level. The 5-7 point guard led her Regina teammates to the Division II title and a perfect 27- 0 record, which she played whatever role coach Pat Diulis needed. Her ballhandling allows her to create and score almost at will or penetrate and pitch against defenses that might focus her way. In two games, she averaged 5.5 assists but still managed to chip in an average of 10 points as well. Her aggressive defensive effort is an attractive trait, but she's going to have to take smarter risks to avoid foul trouble.
Wapakoneta forward Heidi Schlegel is a blue collar workhorse who brings one word to mind: efficiency. She simply gets the job done in a textbook manner. The 6-0 forward was one point shy of a double-double (nine points, 13 rebounds) in the semifinal Friday and followed up the next day with a 17-point, 11-rebound effort in a championship loss to Hathaway Brown. There's nothing flashy about the Redskins star or her game except maybe her physical strength. She's willing to mix it up at either end and doesn't hesitate to put a body on opponents. What level that she might play on in the future could be dependent on her athleticism.
Bowling Green has already received a verbal commitment from Berlin Hiland-standout Noelle Yoder. The 5-7 combo guard is fundamental, scrappy and plays with an impressive, focused intensity. Her ball skills make her a threat anytime it touches her hands. She can take it to the rim or she can knock down the 3-pointer. Her 7-of-11 performance in the semifinals included 3-for-5 from long range, making her an ideal fit for Curt Miller and the Falcons in 2010.
One of the more impressive, developing players this past weekend was 6-2 Regina post Therany Dunnigan. Her size, combined with impressive athleticism and strength give her all the tools to be a true power forward at the next level. She has good skills in place on the block and from the elbow. Even more impressive is the effort she gives at both ends of the floor. She attacks the basket with the ball, crashes the boards on every shot and gets in a stance ready to defend on every possession. She shot 11-of-15 combined for both games averaging 12 points and 7.5 rebounds. Lines are forming.
Africentric provided the fans with one of the most exciting halves of basketball in state tournament action. Behind the fourth quarter scoring of 5-10 guard Raven Ferguson, the Nubians overcame a 17-point deficit to take the Division IV crown. Ferguson has good one-on-one skills and likes to create off the dribble. She tends to pull up more than go all the way to the rim, but showed good elevation and a smooth stroke. The biggest area of focus will have to be her consistency and decision making. Prior to the dramatic final period, she was a combined 6-for-27 from the field and forced several looks out of frustration. The tools are in place and with two more years in high school left, there are tremendous possibilities.
Maleeka Kynard is another small guard who has the speed, quickness and skills to more than make up for what might not be there in size. In past evaluations, she seemed to be creating more opportunities for her teammates than herself, but in Toledo Start's two games in Columbus she was the picture of scoring consistency. Over both games, she connected on 9-of-21 shots, went 5-for-11 from 3-point range and sank 8-of-9 free throws. Pushing the ball constantly and at such an incredible pace does lead to turnovers -- 14 over both semifinal and final games, which were costly, but are a problem easily addressed with maturity and experience.
Mt. Notre Dame combo guard Kathryn Reynolds has some big shoes to fill as the Cougar seniors move on with four straight state titles. The last one might not have come their way, if it were not for some timely play from the 5-7 Reynolds. Over both nights, she was 9-of-18 from the field and hit 3-of-5 3-pointers in the championship game that helped hold off Toledo Start's final run. Her textbook shooting form is balanced with smart, instinctual play and decision making. She can put the ball on the floor and is willing to take a hit while getting to the rim. There's a great maturity and potential to her game that has lots of folks watching.
Canton McKinley may have only been around for the semifinals, but guard Ameryst Alston left an impression on everyone watching. Standing 5-foot-9 with the strength and athleticism of an upperclassman, she handled the ball and the pressure of the state tournament like a seasoned veteran. Her penetration was physical and aggressive and she got deep in the paint almost every time. With four turnovers, she'll need to read the defense better as they rotate on her drives, but she still found a way to rack up four assists on the evening against eventual champion Mt. Notre Dame. There's good form on her shot and a world of potential in her game.
An eye-catching performance off the bench came from 6-1 wing Megan Courtney of Archbishop Alter. While her size may already be in place, she's still on the razor thin side but that's not holding her back at all. Her ballhandling skills are sound and she sees the floor well due to her height. She has an impressive first step and with a long stride drove across the middle several times. Her wingspan makes her imposing on the defensive end and she has the mobility to move with smaller and quicker guards. She has a vertical that will catch your eye as well and a rumor that it might be the result of a just as impressive volleyball resume.
