Fab 50: Breaking down players to watch in Akron-area girls high school basketball districts

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Fab 50: Breaking down players to watch in Akron-area girls high school basketball districts

Brad Bournival, Akron Beacon Journal · Akron Beacon Journal

Thu, Feb 15, 2024 ·

10 min read

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The girls basketball postseason starts Saturday and there's a myriad of choices of quality games.

That's why the USA Today Network decided to take a deep dive for you and give you 50 can't-miss players to watch among districts in the Greater Akron area. There are 44 returning All-Ohioans on the list and scads of quality players.

Take a look at the players and numbers heading into this week:

Walsh Jesuit's Cesily Sutton brings her All-Ohio experience to the court for the Warriors.

OHSAA Division I, Northeast 1 girls basketball district

Teams:Brush, Rhodes, Marshall, Twinsburg, Lakewood, South, Walsh Jesuit, Rocky River, Hoover, Revere, Ridgeville, Perry, Boardman

Grace Kingery, North Ridgeville:The 6-foot-1 forward is averaging 25.7 points, 10.6 rebounds and 2.4 assists as a senior. Kingery was third-team All-Ohio last season.

Ava Patti, Rocky River:The 6-0 forward is averaging 18.9 points and 9.3 rebounds as a senior. Patti was special mention All-Ohio last season.

Mackenzie Riccitelli, Boardman:The 5-5 guard is averaging 17.9 points and 4.0 assists as a senior. Riccitelli was special mention All-Ohio last season.

Cesily Sutton, Walsh Jesuit:The 5-6 senior is averaging 14.8 points and 2.6 steals as a senior. Sutton was honorable mention All-Ohio last season.

Brooklynn Vickers, Brush:The 5-5 guard is averaging 13.5 points and 3.5 assists as a senior. Vickers honorable mention All-Ohio last season.

Stow's Kennady Dodds, right, is part of a Bulldogs trio giving foes fits this season.

OHSAA Division I, Northeast 2 girls basketball district

Teams:Hathaway Brown, A. Garfield, Lake, Euclid, Highland, GlenOak, Steele, Elyria, Lakeside, Stow, Fitch, McKinley, St. Joes

Kennady Dodds, Stow:The 6-0 forward is averaging 12.4 points, 9.1 rebounds and 1.5 assists as a sophomore. Dodds was special mention All-Ohio last season.

Serenitee Johnson, Lake:The 5-10, guard/forward is averaging 15.6 points, 7.3 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 2.5 steals as a senior. Johnson was honorable mention All-Ohio last season.

Kristen Kelley, Amherst:The 6-1 guard is averaging 16.3 points and 8.1 rebounds as a senior. Kelley , a Merrimack College signee was honorable mention All-Ohio last season.

Kennedy Morgan, Highland:The 5-9 shooting guard is averaging a team-high 17.6 points as a junior. Morgan was special mention All-Ohio last season.

Aliana Ray, Stow:The 5-8 guard is averaging 9.0 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.0 assists as a senior. Ray was honorable mention All-Ohio last season.

Ayla Ray, Austintown Fitch:The 5-9 guard is averaging 11.4 points and 4.9 rebounds her senior season. Ray is a Youngstown State commit in softball.

Aleena VanKirk, Highland:The 5-10 forward came back from injury on Jan. 24. She is averaging 8.2 points as a junior. VanKirk was honorable mention All-Ohio last season.

Anna Hurst, Stow: The 5-9 guard recovered from an ACL tear as a junior and is averaging 9.1 points, 3.3 rebounds and 3.7 assists as a senior.

Ellet's Cailtyn Holmes, left, is part of a one-two punch that has the Orangemen thinking big this postseason. — Ellet's Caitlyn Holmes, left, moves up the court against Buchtel's Aaliyah Golden on Jan. 31, 2024, in Akron, Ohio.

OHSAA Division I, Northeast 3 girls basketball district

Teams:Valley Forge, Hoban, Barberton, Ellet, NDCL, Avon, Madison, Hudson, Riverside, Wooster, North, Medina

Zoey Deligianis, Madison: The 5-6 guard is averaging 21.1 points, 4.7 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 3.6 steals as a junior. In two seasons, Deligianis is averaging 17.9 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.3 assists.

Mackenzie Edingburgh, Hoban:The 5-8 guard is averaging 10.5 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.3 assists as a senior. Edingburgh was named Best of the Midwest at the She Hoops Classic.

Sanaiiya Gray, Ellet:The 5-11 guard is averaging 14.1 points, 9.8 rebounds, 2.3 steals and 1.4 blocks as a junior. Gray is the City Series Defensive Player of the Year.

Caitlyn Holmes, Ellet:The 5-7 guard is averaging 18.0 points and 3.4 rebounds as a junior. The Kent State commit was second-team All-Ohio last season. Holmes is the City Series Player of the Year.

Olivia Klanac, Medina:The 5-10 guard is averaging 19.7 points and 4.5 steals as a junior. Klanac was special mention All-Ohio last season.

Savanah Laurenty, Riverside:The 5-10 guard/forward is averaging 20.1 points, 15.9 rebounds, 1.8 blocks and 2.6 steals as a senior. Laurenty was special mention All-Ohio last season.

Claire Wakim, Madison:The 5-10 senior is averaging 16.3 points, 8.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 3.5 steals as a senior. Wakim was honorable mention All-Ohio last season.

OHSAA Division I, Northeast 4 girls basketball district

Green's Sydney Shocklee, facing, celebrates with Meredith Viar during the second half of a high school basketball game, Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024, in Akron, Ohio.

Teams:Magnificat, Firestone, Nordonia, Massillon, Westlake, Warren Harding, Chaney, Cleveland Heights, Louisville, Mentor, North Royalton, Green

Julia Hall, Magnificat:The 6-0 post can play either guard or forward and is averaging 14.9 points as a junior. Hall was named Best of the Midwest at the She Hoops Classic.

Brooke Haren, Louisville:The 5-9 guard/forward is averaging 17.5 points, 1.7 assists and is shooting 82.4 percent from the foul line as a senior. Haren was special mention All-Ohio as a sophomore.

Jenn Slates, Green:The 6-foot forward is averaging 17.6 points and 11.9 rebounds as a junior. Slates was special mention All-Ohio last season.

Sydney Shocklee, Green:The 5-10 guard/forward is averaging 8.2 points and 4.2 rebounds. Shocklee is an all-around force with 2.3 assists and 1.3 steals as a junior.

Brunswick's Journey Hildebrand, left, is arguably the best player to ever don a jersey for the Blue Devils.

OHSAA Division I, Northeast 6 girls basketball district

Teams:Olmsted Falls, Shaker Heights, Kent Roosevelt, Brunswick, Midview, Mayfield, Brecksville, Chardon, John Hay, Cuyahoga Falls, Eastlake North, Wadsworth

Danielle Cameron, Olmsted Falls:The 5-11 forward is averaging 15.3 points as a senior. Cameron , a Youngstown State signee, was special mention All-Ohio last season.

Journey Hildebrand, Brunswick:The 5-11 guard is averaging 20.5 points as a senior. Hildebrand has 1,525 career points. She was special mention All-Ohio last season and is a Kent State commit.

OHSAA Division II, Northeast 2 girls basketball district

Field's Delilah Rahe is a force for the Falcons.

Teams:Bard, Laurel, Bedford, Field, Canton South, West Geauga, Lutheran West, Chagrin Falls, Cloverleaf, Hubbard, Coventry, West Branch

Maggie Furst, West Geauga:The 6-0 center is averaging 15.6 points and 13.2 rebounds as a senior. Furst was honorable mention All-Ohio last season.

Sophie Gregory, West Branch:The 6-2 guard/forward is averaging 15.2 points and 12.5 rebounds as a senior. Gregory , a Youngstown State signee, was special mention All-Ohio last season.

Saniyah Hall, Laurel:The 5-11 guard is averaging 25.5 points and 7.6 rebounds as a sophomore. Hall was first-team All-Ohio last season.

Delilah Rahe, Field:The 5-10 forward is averaging 18.2 points, 12.4 rebounds and 2.6 steals as a junior. Rahe was honorable mention All-Ohio last season.

Lilly Stukus, Chagrin Falls:The 5-8 guard/forward is averaging 15.3 points and 5.3 rebounds as a junior. Stukus was third-team All-Ohio last season

Chelsea Evanich, left, is a difference maker for the Dukes.

OHSAA Division II, Northeast 3 girls basketball district

Teams:Lincoln West, St. Vincent-St. Mary, Shaw, Girard, East, Perry, Struthers, Salem, Cleveland CC, Marlington, Holy Name, Brookside, Canfield

Kendal Batchik, STVM:The 5-5 guard is averaging 10.5 points per game, 3.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 2.0 steals as a junior. Batchik is shooting 50 percent from the field.

Chelsea Evanich, Marlington:The 6-foot-1 center is averaging 21.2 points and 12.3 rebounds in her senior season. Evanich holds school records in career points (1,440) and rebounds (962).

Erica King, STVM:The 5-8 guard is averaging 11.5 points, 4.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 2.0 steals in her senior season. King was special mention All-Ohio last season.

Cam Hoover has reached legendary status at Woodridge.

OHSAA Division II, Northeast 4 girls basketball district

Teams:Geneva, Conneaut, Berkshire, Max Hayes, Tallmadge, Ravenna, Howland, Woodridge, Firelands, Bay, East, Buckeye, Copley

Kami Ayoup, Copley:The 5-10 forward is averaging 10.1 points, 5.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 2.0 steals as a senior. Ayoup , a three-sports star for Copley, will run track at Ohio University.

Izzy Callaway, Copley:The 5-7 guard is averaging 20.6 points, 3.0 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 2.5 steals her senior season. Callaway was second-team All-Ohio last year.

Cam Hoover, Woodridge:The 6-0 forward is averaging 19.8 points, 14.2 rebounds, 3.3 blocks and 3.8 steals as a senior. Hoover , a Murray State signee, was special mention All-Ohio last season.

Alyssa Massucci, Howland:The 5-8 guard is averaging 18.5 points as a senior and shooting 79 percent from the free-throw line. Massucci was special mention All-Ohio last season.

Brooke Richmond, Geneva:The 5-11 guard/forward is averaging 12.7 points, 6.2 rebounds and 2.6 assists as a senior. Richmond was honorable mention All-Ohio last season.

Naomi Benson is already a big name in women's basketball with interest from virtually every Power Five school in the nation.

OHSAA Division II, Northeast 5 girls basketball district

Teams:Niles McKinley, Streetsboro, East Technical, Elyria Catholic, Clearview, Orange, Springfield, Northwest, CVCA, Hawken, Norton, Harvey, Beaumont

Naomi Benson, Streetsboro:The 6-2 wing is averaging 16.7 points, 11.7 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.2 blocks and 3.3 steals as a junior. Benson is a four-star recruit and was special mention All-Ohio last season.

Isabelle Niedherst, Elyria Catholic:The 5-9 guard is averaging 18.9 points, 9.3 rebounds, 3.7 steals and 3.4 assists as a senior. Niedherst was special mention All-Ohio last season.

Lexi Rodriguez, Clearview:The 5-7 guard is averaging 9.1 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 2.8 steals as a junior. Rodriguez was honorable mention All-Ohio last season.

Joi Williams, Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy:The 5-5 shooting guard is averaging 22.6 points and 3.3 steals as a junior. Williams was honorable mention All-Ohio last season.

Smithville's Naomi Keib is the unquestioned leader of the Smithies.

OHSAA Division III, Northeast 4 girls basketball district

Teams:Brooklyn, Chippewa, Manchester, Fairless, Southeast, Smithville, Wickliffe, Independence, South Range, United, VASJ

Elizabeth Dunmire, VASJ:The 6-foot guard is averaging 19.2 points, 10.9 rebounds and 2.8 rebounds in her sophomore season. Dunmire was third-team All-Ohio last season.

Ava Gabriel, Wickliffe:The 5-8 guard/forward is averaging 20.1 points and 4.4 steals as a junior. Gabriel was honorable mention All-Ohio last season.

Naomi Keib, Smithville:The 6-foot forward is averaging 14.2 points, 5.8 rebound, 1.5 assists and is shooting 82 percent from the free-throw line as a senior. Keib was third-team All-Ohio last season.

Madi Singer, Smithville:The 5-9 guard is averaging 11.1 points, 2.0 rebounds and 3.2 assists as a junior. Singer was honorable mention All-Ohio last season.

Jameka Brungard is an all-around force for New Middleton Springfield.

OHSAA Division IV, Northeast 2 girls basketball district

Teams:Badger, Ashtabula St. John, Jackson-Milton, Oberlin,New Middletown Springfield, Open Door, Heartland Christian, Cornerstone Christian, Fairport Harding, East Palestine, Elms, Warren JFK, Leetonia

Jameka Brungard, Springfield:The 6-foot-1 center is averaging 15.1 points, 10.9 rebounds and 3.8 assists in her junior year. Brungard was honorable mention All-Ohio last season.

Alyssa Cevera, St. John:The 5-6 guard is averaging 18.1 points and 9.7 rebounds as a senior. Cevera was second team All-Ohio last season.

Ava Darney, Warren JFK:The 5-11 guard is averaging 15.1 points and 7.6 rebounds as a senior. Darney was honorable mention All-Ohio last season.

Katie Grexa, Badger:The 5-10 guard is 17.6 points, 12.0 rebounds and 2.8 assists as a senior. Grexa , a Lake Erie College signee, was third team All-Ohio last season.

Mickey Zheng, St. John:The 5-6 guard is averaging 12.4 points, 6.2 assists and 5.2 assists as a junior. Zheng was honorable mention All-Ohio last season.

Contact Brad Bournival at bbournival@gannett.com and follow him on Twitter at @bbournival

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: OHSAA girls basketball: 50 players to watch in Akron districts

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