Sports Scene: Purcell Marian’s Alexander worthy of Ms. Basketball

There was a push by a couple of Darke County media individuals two weeks ago on social media for Ohio Prep Sportswriters Association members to vote Tri-Village senior guard Rylee Sagester as Ms. Basketball.

Cincinnati Purcell Marian sophomore Dee Alexander was named Ms. Basketball on Thursday, and deservedly so.

I recall Cincinnati-location reporters speaking about her final year and the fantastic campaign she had as a freshman in the course of the Cavaliers’ Division III state championship campaign.

Having said that, by the time November rolled about and Sidney was set to play Purcell in an invitational tournament at Cincinnati Sycamore, I had forgotten about her. I was expecting Purcell to be roughly equivalent to their teams that had close games against Versailles and Anna in postseason play from 2018 to 2021, and for Sidney to be competitive.

It didn’t take extended for Alexander to jog my memory. She scored 20 points and had 12 rebounds, 3 assists, two steals and two blocks. The Cavaliers dominated from the start out and won 68-43.

One particular play stands out. Soon after a Sidney basket, Alexander raced back down the court and took a pass, only to have a defender bobble it. Alexander didn’t break her stride, handle to grab the ball out of the air, went ideal below the basket and created a shot. It nevertheless ranks as the most athletic move I’ve observed this year.

Purcell Marian (25-two) moved up to Div. II this year. The squad beat Bryan 61-47 on Thursday in a state semifinal and will play for a title on Saturday morning. It has won 12 consecutive games (like all postseason games) by double digits.

Alexander, a six-foot-1 forward who currently has more than 30 collegiate gives, is averaging about 26 points, ten rebounds, 3 assists and two.five steals per game. She has shot about 61 % from the field this year.

Sagester, a five-7 guard, signed with Marshall final November. She has place up fantastic numbers this year: 21 points, three.7 rebounds, two.7 steals, three.eight assists. These do not match Alexander’s — and Alexander’s came against a (substantially) stronger schedule.

The Darke County contingent’s campaign (let’s get in touch with a spade a spade, they’re homers) wasn’t without having outcomes, even though. Sagester, who will attempt to lead Tri-Village to the D-IV title on Saturday afternoon, completed runner-up in voting.

Amongst the individuals she completed ahead of in voting are Loudonville junior Corri Vermilya and Pickerington Central senior Madison Greene. Vermilya, an Ashland commit, averaged 29.five points, 12.7 rebounds, six.five steals and three.1 assists per game. Greene, averaged 15 points, 4 steals, 3 rebounds and 3 assists.

Toledo Begin junior Sinai Douglass couldn’t handle to crack the best 4 in voting, in spite of averaging 17 points, six rebounds, 5 assists and 5 steals per game. She has gives from Iowa and Xavier, amongst other folks.

Yes, it is a district semifinal

I’ve observed some confusion from some on social media, so it is time for a reminder.

The Ohio Higher College Athletic Association standardized the naming of every single round of the tournament across all six of its districts in 2019. It is two rounds every single (semifinal and final) for sectionals, districts, regionals and state.

Whilst the third round of tournament play was historically referred to as a “sectional final” in the Southwest district, it is now officially referred to as a district semifinal. Sectional semifinals are the 1st round, and sectional finals are the second round.

Billing has been the sports editor of the Sidney Everyday News due to the fact 2017. He can be reached at bbilling@sidneydailynews.com.