Ohio’s top high school girls basketball players: Meet the state’s best point guards –

By Ryan Isley

Over the next few weeks, we’ll be taking a position-by-position look at some of the top players in Ohio high school girls basketball.

Our first list focuses on the point guards.

There are hundreds of standout girls basketball players in Ohio, and these lists are not intended to be comprehensive! Use the comments section to discuss the other point guards worthy of fans’ attention in 2021-22.

Pictured above is Sheridan’s Bailey Beckstedt (photo by Gabe Haferman).

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Bailey Beckstedt, Sheridan, senior, 5’7”

Averaged 13.2 points, 5.2 rebounds. 4.8 assists and three steals per game last season, garnering special mention All-Ohio honors. Primary ball-handler on offense and a touch defender. She is committed to West Liberty.

Mari Bickley, Laurel, junior, 5’10”

Was named third-team All-Ohio last season while averaging 14 points, four assists and four rebounds per game. She is an all-around guard who can run the point or play off the ball. She can get to the rim at will and is a good finisher once there. Her passing ability might be one of the best aspects about her game.

KK Bransford, Mount Notre Dame, senior, 5’11”

Named Ms. Ohio Basketball last season after averaging 21.4 points, 6.4 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 3.0 steals and leading Mount Notre Dame to the Division I state title. She entered her senior season needing less than 400 points to reach 2,000 for her career. She is a do-it-all player who can score, assist or grab a rebound. She has signed to play at the University of Notre Dame.

Emily Bratton, Bloom-Carroll, sophomore, 5’7”

First-team all-league and all-district last season, she averaged 15 points, seven assists, six rebounds and four steals per game. She loves the game of basketball and is constantly looking for ways to improve her game. She is truly a student of the game, loves to watch basketball and is dedicated to the process of finding ways to get better every single day.

Isabella Cassoni, Waynesville, senior, 5’5”

A Wright State signee, she averaged 13.5 points, three steals and 2.5 assists per game last year. Her coach says she is the best ball-handler he has seen in his 50-plus years of coaching.

Bri Claxton, South Webster, senior, 5’7”

She averaged 25.7 points, 4.6 rebounds and 3.4 steals per game last year in being named second team All-Ohio. A quick guard who can play either the 1 or the 2, she also has developed a deadly jumper. She was born to play basketball. 

Catara DeJarnette, Kenston, senior, 5’6”

The Western Reserve Conference player of the year last year, she averaged 18.5 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 3.8 steals per game for the only Division II team in a conference full of Division I schools. She was also named second-team All-Ohio last season.

Sinai Douglas, Toledo Start, sophomore, 5’7”

Honorable mention All-Ohio as a freshman, her work ethic makes her stand out above others, as she is at the YMCA by 4:45 a.m. every day to work out before school and does it year-round. She also plays for Sports City U, one of the premier AAU programs in the state for girls basketball.

Madelyn Fearon, Arcanum, senior, 5’6″

A hard worker and tremendous leader, she averaged 13.7 points, 5.2 assists, 3.5 rebounds and 3.6 steals per game last year and was honorable mention All-Ohio. She has committed to Ohio Dominican.

Emoni Finch, Westerville North, junior, 5’4”

More of a pure scorer than a point guard, she has been moved to become the primary point guard this season after averaging 9.7 points, 3.4 rebounds and three assists per game last season. She has been working more on her ball-handling and passing skills this season but is still a threat to shoot the ball.

Kalista Friday, Monroe Central, senior, 5’3”

She can play either guard position and is a great scorer with either hand. She surpassed 1,000 career points last season. She also has great ball-handling and passing skills, which help her make everyone on the floor better. She was honorable mention All-Ohio last season while averaging 18.1 points, 4.5 assists and 4.4 steals per game.

Madison Greene, Pickerington Central, junior, 5’6”

A lightning-quick guard who is a great on-ball defender. Has worked on improving her shooting range and can score from the perimeter or the mid-range. Averaged 10 points, five assists and three steals per game last season and has multiple offers from Power 5 colleges.

Journey Hildebrand, Brunswick, sophomore, 5’11”

Arguably one of the best scorers in the area, she averaged 15.4 points per game as a freshman and was named honorable mention All-Ohio. She has the ability to shoot from the outside but also get to the rim at will. She moved to the primary ball-handler position this season.

Paige Kohler, Olmsted Falls, junior, 5’7”

Third-team All-Ohio last season as a sophomore, she can shoot or find the open teammate. Her ability to make the right play makes her a great leader on the floor. She also plays tenacious defense.  

MaKaylia Lute, Wayne, senior, 5’4”

A team leader, Lute takes over on a team that graduated eight seniors last season with six of those players now playing at the next level. She controls the offense and is a knockdown shooter. She is extremely quick with good ball skills and an excellent on-ball defender.

Peyton Mounce, Urbana, freshman, 5’9”

Through her first five high school games a s a freshman, she was averaging 12.8 points, 10 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 3.8 steals per game. Her ability to get to the basket and finish makes her tough to defend. With her height, she sees the floor very well and is able to push the ball in transition. Her length and quickness make her tough on defense, able to guard smaller guards and taller players as well. One opposing coach said “she is the best player in the conference already as a freshman.”  

Meredith Randulic, Massillon Perry, senior, 5’9”

Averaged 14.8 points, 4.8 assists and four rebounds per game last season. She can play both guard positions and has good floor vision and passing ability that led her to a school-record 12 assists in a game last season.

Tai Roberts, Andrews Osborne, senior, 5’5”

Averaged 21.2 points per game last season in being named to the All-Ohio second team in Division IV. Offensively, she is a fast guard who can drive by her defender and get to the basket whenever she wants. On the defensive side of the ball, she has been one of the best defenders on the team since her freshman year and creates turnovers at a high rate.

Rylee Sagester, Tri-Village, junior, 5’6”

Third team All-Ohio last year after averaging 17.3 points, 4.1 rebounds and 3,6 assists per game. She has a special ability to shoot the ball from distance, and her range extends well beyond the three-point line. She has also improved on her ability to attack the basket and finish in traffic. On defense, she is a very solid on-ball defender.

Breezie Williams, GlenOak, senior, 5’6”

Averaged 14 points, 4.1 rebounds, five steals and four assists per game to garner second-team All-Ohio honors. She started the 2021-22 season off even hotter, averaging 22 points and six steals. A lightning-quick guard with great ball skills, she has signed to play at the University of New Hampshire.