Derrick Webb

Derrick is SOSA's chief content coordinator and has worked for the Chillicothe Gazette, the Portsmouth Daily Times and Eleven Warriors. He's a 15-time award-winning journalist, a self-proclaimed baseball purist, a suffering Bengals fan and has never met a stranger.

GIRLS HOOPS: 15 players to keep an eye on this winter

Keep your eyes on these 15 names.

Derrick Webb, Staff Writer

Southern Ohio Sports Authority is presented by OhioHealth.

After an exciting fall sports season, we have our fingers crossed for the same this winter.

With the start of high school basketball season upon us, here’s a list of 15 girls in our coverage area, and in no particular order, to keep your eyes peeled for this coming season.

NOTE: This certainly does not mean there aren’t other players who will have great seasons. This is simply a list of 15 players we’ve randomly compiled

Mya Hamilton, Unioto

Hamilton is as dynamic as it gets. Before an injury ended her junior season early, she was averaging 16.9 points, 3.7 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 3.4 steals per game. In 18 games, she helped her Shermans go 16-2 overall. She’ll be dominant this year, and so will the Tanks.

Allie Baker, Huntington

Make no mistake about it, Baker is Huntington’s top scoring option. That hasn’t changed a bit. After spending her junior season averaging 16.8 points alongside seven rebounds and 2.9 steals, she’ll be looking to heighten those numbers during her last go-around. She’s legit.

Asa Holcombe, Athens

There’s a reason why Holcombe was a first-team all-district and special mention All-Ohio honoree. The Bulldogs’ guard scores in different ways, driving to the bucket, drawing fouls or nailing jumpers. Athens has a legit shot to defend its TVC crown. Holcombe is the reason why.

Fairland’s Bailey Russell averaged over 17 points per game last winter, leading the Dragons to yet another regional championship banner.
CREDIT: *Derrick Webb/SOSA*

Bailey Russell, Fairland

There may not be a better shooter on this list. That’s how prolific Russell is. Her 17.3 points per game helped the Dragons win another regional championship — what’s now become the standard in Proctorville — and a share of the OVC title. She’s lethal behind the 3-point arc.

Paige O’Bryant, Waverly

O’Bryant gives Waverly a bonafide option to score, rebound and play defense. During her sophomore year, on a youth-laden roster, she averaged 11 points while navigating the Tigers to 11 victories. Now a year older, Waverly will assuredly be a force to be reckoned with.

Daysha Reid, Portsmouth

We all know what the Trojans did last year. A first-ever regional championship after a first district crown since 1984 isn’t easily forgotten. Reid was right in the center of that storm, averaging 14.7 points per night. She was a third-team All-Ohioan and will be even better as a senior.

Peyton May, Wheelersburg

May established herself as a powerful presence in the post last season and it paid off for the Pirates. While leading ‘Burg in both scoring and rebounding, May threw her coming out party. Now, a year older, she looks to continue progressing. That’s bad news for opponents.

Kendall Sury, Waterford

Sury was a first-team All-Ohioan as a junior and the list of reasons why is a long one. Her 13 points per game helped the Wildcats go 24-4 and win the program’s seventh regional title — the seventh since 2015. Waterford will be an elite program once again and Sury sets the pace.

Abbie Knapp, Green

A walking bucket. That’s what Knapp is. Her 26.1 points per game last year proves that to be true and she added 12.1 rebounds and 2.4 blocks per game for good measure. She’s a high percentage shooter — shooting 51 percent last season — and has nothing but upside.

Katelynn Boerger, North Adams

One year removed from an Elite 8 appearance, North Adams will be looking to defend its SHAC crown. Boerger is the key to doing so. After averaging 11.6 points and 7.2 points she’ll be circled on opponents’ game plans, as she should be. But slowing her down is easier said than done.

Paisley Pryor, McClain

Pryor is the latest basketball talent to walk McClain’s halls and she’s proven early that she’s as good as they come. A second-team all-district selection after scoring 12.4 points per game, she was productive on both sides of the basketball. Her speed and grit makes her dangerous.

Gracie Lovett, Miami Trace

The Panthers suffered a “down” year last season. The injury bug hit hard. But there was at least one constant and it was Lovett. The freshman showed poise in pressure situations and added to the scoring column as well. MT will be different this winter and that movement starts with Lovett.

Laila Kelley, Piketon

We knew Kelley was going to be good as a freshman. But she blew expectations out of the water. Her 13.1 points per night led the Redstreaks as she hit 35 triples, also a team-high. As she continues to mold into a bonafide scoring option, keep your eyes on her. She’s fun to watch.

Piketon’s Laila Kelley paced the Redstreaks’ last season with 13.1 points per night.
CREDIT: *Derrick Webb/SOSA*

Kelsey Clark, Fairfield

Clark’s 12.5 points per game last winter ranked eighth in the SHAC, and makes her the league’s top returning scorer as well. But she can do more than score, bringing down 5.5 rebounds per night alongside 2.2 steals. If the Lions have success, Clark will be steering the ship.

Ava Cronin, Minford

After winning a share of the SOC III title, Minford brings back most of its roster. Cronin can have a huge influence in just how far the Falcons go. She’s a pesky guard that passes well and has the ability to drill the 3-ball. She may not score 10-plus points per night. But her value is evident.