Westerville South's Kruz McClure named finalist for Ohio Mr. Basketball
Westerville South junior guard Kruz McClure is one of nine finalists for Mr. Basketball, the Ohio Prep Sportswriters Association announced Wednesday.
The 6-foot-5 McClure, the OCC-Capital and Division I district Player of the Year, averaged 23.9 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 2.6 steals in leading the Wildcats (16-8) to a district semifinal. He shot 45% from the field and 88% at the foul line and has 14 Division I college offers, according to the OPSWA release announcing the finalists.
The other finalists are Malvern’s J’Allen Barrino, Shelby’s Alex Bruskotter, Garfield Heights’ Marcus Johnson, Cleveland Heights Lutheran East’s Jesse McCulloch, Cincinnati Winton Woods’ Tyler McKinley, Hayden Nigro of Louisville, Camden Preble Shawnee’s Mason Shrout and Ottawa-Glandorf’s Colin White.
White, a 6-6 senior forward, has signed with Ohio State.
Central Ohio has had seven Mr. Basketball winners, most recently Pickerington Central’s Devin Royal last year. Royal is now a freshman at OSU.
This year’s winner will be announced March 20.
Purcell Marian’s Alexander named Ms. Basketball
Cincinnati Purcell Marian’s Dee Alexander was named Ms. Basketball on Wednesday for the second consecutive season. The 6-1 forward is trying to win a third consecutive state championship and second in a row in Division II. Her team plays Copley in a semifinal at 1 p.m. Friday.
Pickerington Central’s Berry Wallace and Bloom-Carroll’s Emily Bratton, seniors who will play at Illinois and Miami University, respectively, were finalists. Wallace, who finished third in the voting, leads Central into a Division I state semifinal against Springboro at 8 p.m. Friday.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Who are the nine finalists for 2024 Ohio Mr. Basketball?
