10 central Ohio girls high school basketball players to watch in OHSAA postseason
It takes more than scoring to win a high school basketball game, especially during the postseason. The best teams have multiskilled players who focus on more than shooting, along with those who provide intangibles such as leadership and hustle.
Here are 10 players, listed alphabetically, to watch in the Central District girls basketball tournaments. Not all of them are stars, but each player is crucial to her team's success.
Division III teams begin play Tuesday. Divisions I, II and IV get underway Wednesday.
Grace Davis, Amanda-Clearcreek
After missing most of her junior season with an ACL injury and part of this season with a wrist injury sustained in a car accident, along with missing time with an illness, the 5-foot-11 senior forward has helped put the third-seeded Aces (15-7) in position to win a Division III district title. She's averaging 9.0 points and a team-leading 6.5 rebounds.
Jayla Dixon, Fisher Catholic
A 5-4 senior guard, Dixon is an able complement to seniors and top scorers Voni Bethel (17.4 points, 5.0 assists, 4.2 rebounds) and Ellie Bruce (17.3 points, 8.5 rebounds). Dixon adds 9.0 points, 3.4 assists and 2.1 steals per game for the Irish (19-3), the defending Division IV district champions and second seed this season.
Kylie Gibson, Newark Catholic
A 5-6 senior point guard, Gibson’s all-around game is crucial to the Green Wave’s fortunes. Gibson, the program’s top all-time 3-point shooter who also starred in volleyball, averages 14.9 points, 5.2 rebounds, 4.5 steals and 2.4 assists. She has helped Newark Catholic (20-0) earn the top seed in Division IV and a No. 3 ranking statewide.
London Johnson, Canal Winchester
The 6-0 sophomore guard and forward finished the regular season with a flourish for the Indians (16-6), who placed second in the OCC-Capital and are seeded 11th in Division I. Johnson had 33 points in a 62-56 overtime loss to Westerville South on Feb. 6 despite being ill. She also has drawn offers in recent weeks from Akron and Ohio University. Johnson is the daughter of former Grove City star and Ohio State player Charisse Crews.
Shaunie Little, Africentric
The 5-5 junior guard has helped the second-seeded Nubians (19-2) enjoy continued success as they seek a second consecutive Division III state title. Little leads the team in steals per game (3.0) and has the assignment of covering each opponent’s top guard. She is “the heart and soul of the team,” coach Janicia Anderson said.
Carlie Osborne, Buckeye Valley
The 5-6 senior point guard helped the Barons (20-2) win the Central Buckeye League at 14-0, their first league championship since 2007. Osborne, whom coach Todd Pennington calls the leader of the squad, averages team highs of 4.0 assists and 4.0 steals along with 9.4 points and 4.1 rebounds. Buckeye Valley is the No. 2 seed in Division II.
Addy Tweed, Marysville
A 5-9 senior forward, Tweed has come up big on the offensive and defensive ends for Marysville (19-3), the third seed in Division I, averaging 8.0 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2.7 steals. A 77% free-throw shooter, Tweed had a career-high 18 points in a December win over Watterson and approached that in a recent win over No. 4 seed Olentangy Liberty with 16 points, six steals, four rebounds and two blocked shots.
Blossom Wallace, Pickerington Central
The 6-1 sophomore forward has been the Tigers’ top defender this season and is averaging more than 10 points in her past 12 games. Her play and that of junior point guard Rylee Bess, among others, should be key in complementing senior forward and Illinois commit Berry Wallace as top-seeded Central (19-3) tries for a second consecutive Division I state tournament berth. Blossom Wallace’s offers include Akron, Dayton, Marquette, Providence and Toledo.
Taylor Warehime, Granville
A 5-8 senior forward, Warehime has helped put the top-seeded Blue Aces (20-1) in position for a fourth consecutive Division II district title. Through 20 games, she was averaging 5.4 points, 5.0 rebounds and a team-high 3.6 steals. Coach Tate Moore calls the three-year starter “the ultimate competitor who leads by example.” Granville won its fourth consecutive Licking County League title.
Ashtan Winfrey, Africentric
Also a track and field standout, this 5-7 senior guard has been another key contributor to the Nubians’ success. Winfrey, who is averaging 8.0 points and 2.0 steals, scored 12 points in helping Africentric win its ninth consecutive City League title with an 81-48 win over Centennial in the championship game.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Players to watch in Greater Columbus girls basketball postseason
