Ohio basketball fans knew the 2024-25 season was going to be different, but nobody expected it to be this chaotic or historic. Honestly, it was a whirlwind. We saw a legend cement her status as perhaps the greatest ever to lace them up in the Buckeye state, a massive structural overhaul by the OHSAA that expanded the tournament to seven divisions, and a freshman class that basically told the seniors, "We're coming for your spots."
If you followed all ohio girls basketball 2025, you saw Dee Alexander pull off the impossible. The Purcell Marian superstar didn't just win a title; she led the Cavaliers to their fourth straight state championship. That’s a "once-in-a-lifetime" type of run. But while Dee was grabbing the national headlines and signing with the Cincinnati Bearcats, there were hundreds of other stories across the state—from the gyms in Findlay to the packed stands at UD Arena—that made this season feel special.
The Queen of Cincinnati: Dee Alexander’s Triple Crown
Let’s talk about Dee Alexander for a second. You’ve probably heard her name a million times, but what she did in 2025 was genuinely absurd. She was named Ohio Ms. Basketball for the third consecutive year.
Only one other girl has ever done that: Kierstan Bell. And on the boys' side? Only some guy named LeBron James. That is the kind of air Alexander is breathing. She averaged 20.4 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 4.6 assists this season, essentially acting as a human Swiss Army knife for Purcell Marian. When they beat Avon Lake 72-44 in the Division III final, it wasn't just a win; it was a coronation. She finishes her career with over 2,300 points and a legacy that will be talked about in Southwest Ohio for decades.
The Big Expansion: Seven Divisions and the New Final Four
For years, we had four divisions. It was simple. But in 2025, the OHSAA decided to spread the wealth, moving to seven divisions to give more schools a shot at a trophy. Some people hated it, saying it "watered down" the competition. Others loved it because smaller schools that usually got swallowed up by regional powerhouses finally had a path to Dayton.
✨ Don't miss: What Place Is The Phillies In: The Real Story Behind the NL East Standings
The 2025 state tournament was a logistics marathon. We had games happening at UD Arena, Wright State, and Vandalia Butler. It felt like you couldn't drive five miles in Montgomery County without hitting a high school bus.
Division I: The Battle of the Titans
In the big school division, Bryn Martin was the story. The Springboro guard was a walking bucket all year, eventually winning the Division I Player of the Year honors. She averaged 23 points a game and kept the Panthers in the hunt until the very end.
However, the hardware went to Pickerington Central. They edged out Cincinnati Princeton 47-44 in a defensive slugfest that reminded everyone why Central Ohio basketball is so feared. It wasn't pretty. It was gritty. It was exactly what a D1 final should be.
The Underdog Stories in the Lower Divisions
The expansion really shone in the new Divisions V, VI, and VII.
🔗 Read more: Huskers vs Michigan State: What Most People Get Wrong About This Big Ten Rivalry
- Division V: Portsmouth took down Creston Norwayne 53-38.
- Division VI: Columbus Grove dominated Rootstown 65-46. Lauren Auchmuty was spectacular here, proving that "small town" doesn't mean "small talent."
- Division VII: This was the game of the tournament. Waterford vs. Fort Loramie. A 48-46 nail-biter that went down to the final possession. Avery Wagner and the Waterford crew managed to hold off a Fort Loramie team that just wouldn't quit.
All Ohio Girls Basketball 2025: First Team Standouts
When the Ohio Prep Sportswriters Association (OPSWA) dropped the All-Ohio lists in late March, the talent density was wild. Usually, you have a few clear-cut stars and then some debate. This year, the debate was everywhere because so many girls put up video game numbers.
In Division II, Elise Bender from Whitehouse Anthony Wayne was the clear alpha. She was the Player of the Year, averaging 24.1 points. She’s 6-foot-1, can handle the rock, and shoots over anyone. Watching her and Alli Robertson from Harrison (who averaged 22.3) was a masterclass in modern forward play.
Then you have the kids. The freshmen. Janiyah Hargrave at Kettering Fairmont and Davinee Harris at Findlay made the All-Ohio lists as freshmen in Division I. That just doesn't happen. If you’re a college scout, your GPS is probably permanently set to Ohio right now.
What Most People Get Wrong About Ohio Girls Hoops
There’s this weird misconception that Ohio is just a "football state." It’s annoying. If you actually look at the recruiting boards, Ohio’s 2025 class is one of the deepest in the country.
💡 You might also like: NFL Fantasy Pick Em: Why Most Fans Lose Money and How to Actually Win
We aren't just producing "role players." We’re producing McDonald's All-Americans. Dee Alexander heading to UC and Bryn Martin flipping her commitment from Washington to Ohio State shows that the local talent wants to stay home and build something. The intensity in a regional final at a place like Pickerington North or Lakota East is just as high as any Friday night under the lights.
The Numbers That Defined the Season
To understand the 2024-25 season, you sort of have to look at the statistical outliers.
25.0 PPG: Javaya Harley from Northland led all scorers in the higher divisions. She was a nightmare to guard in the open court.
26.3 PPG: Peyton Mounce from Urbana. Just let that sink in. Nearly 27 points every night while being the primary focus of every opposing defensive coordinator.
4 Consecutive Titles: Purcell Marian’s streak. It’s hard enough to win one. To stay that focused for four years is a testament to Coach Jamar Mosley.
Looking Ahead: What’s Next for the 2026 Season?
Now that the 2025 class is moving on to the Big Ten, the Big 12, and beyond, there’s a massive power vacuum.
If you want to stay ahead of the curve, keep an eye on the sophomore class—girls like Regan Braaten (Berea-Midpark) and Sidney Butera (Strongsville). They were already making Second and Third Team All-Ohio as underclassmen.
Actionable Insights for Players and Fans
- Follow the OPSWA Lists: If you want to know who the real players are, don't just look at Instagram highlights. Check the official All-Ohio selections. These are voted on by media members who actually see these girls play in person, not just 15-second clips.
- Attend the Early Season Showcases: Events like the Classic in the Country or the Hopewell-Loudon invite are where the best teams test themselves before the February grind.
- Watch the "Seven Division" Debate: The OHSAA will likely tweak the enrollment numbers for 2026. Keep an eye on how your local school's division might shift, as it changes their entire postseason path.
The 2025 season was a transition year that ended up being a blockbuster. We said goodbye to the "Dee Alexander Era," but the way the younger talent stepped up suggests that Ohio girls basketball isn't going to slow down anytime soon. It was fast, it was loud, and it was undeniably historic.