Ohio’s top high school girls basketball players: Meet the state’s best small forwards

Who are the top small forwards in Ohio high school girls basketball this season?

By Ryan Isley| Photos by Gabe Haferman

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 focused on the point guards, next were the shooting guards, and now it's the small forwards' turn.

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 small forwards worthy of fans’ attention in 2021-22.

Pictured above are Reynoldsburg's Mya Perry, right, being guarded by Newark's Maddie Vejsicky.

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Bree Allen, Fairland, sophomore, 5’11”

Named honorable mention All-Ohio as a freshman last season with 15.3 points, 6.7 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game. She can stretch the floor offensively with her shooting range and can score inside and out, with an array of dribble drives, post moves and 3-point shots. She can defend multiple spots.

Allison Basye, Huntington Ross, senior, 5’11”

Was named second-team All-Ohio last season and has been on one of the All-Ohio teams in each of her first three seasons. She averaged 28 points per game last year after averaging 23 points per game as a sophomore and 18 points per game as a freshman. She is also an aggressive rebounder and has averaged double-digit rebounds in each of her three seasons.

Kristin Chmielewski, Stow-Munroe Falls, senior, 5’11”

Earned honorable mention All-Ohio last season in Division I with 13.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, 3.5 steals, 3.2 assists and 2.2 blocks per game and was even better to start this season at 20.2 points per game through the first five games. She has played on three straight Suburban League National Championship teams and is the best defender on a team known for defense.

Kiley Dyrlund, GlenOak, senior, 5’11”

Transferred to GlenOak after playing at Uniontown Lake, where she averaged 14 points and 11 rebounds per game as a junior last season. She is good at driving to the basket and either finishing or creating chances for her teammates. Defensively, she can guard all five spots. She is active on defense, which leads to steals and blocks. She is committed to Walsh University.

Tessa Grady, Dublin Coffman, junior, 6’2”

Averaged 10.9 points per game and 4.1 rebounds last season and has taken a big step this season as she has grown to 6’2”. She can score from anywhere on the court and is an aggressive and athletic defender. She holds multiple Division I offers.

Nelia Guice, Westerville South, junior, 5’10”

She averaged 11.5 points and 8.5 rebounds last season as a sophomore. She can score from the perimeter or attack the basket. She is also an aggressive player on offense when it comes to rebounding and often earns the team extra possessions. Defensively, she is tenacious and can anticipate her player’s next move.

Mallory Hawley, Pomeroy Meigs, senior, 5’10”

Named honorable mention All-Ohio last season while averaging 17.9 points and four rebounds per game and shooting 58.1% from the field, 41.8% from 3-point range. She is a versatile player who can play all five positions on the floor. She entered her senior season already having surpassed 1,000 career points. She was also voted homecoming queen this fall.

Kylie Leibacher, Castalia Margaretta, junior, 5’11”

As versatile as they come, she plays all five positions with an emphasis on forward and sometimes point guard. Last year, she averaged 15.6 points per game along with 9.5 rebounds per game. She shoots the ball efficiently at 56% overall and 40% on 3s. She has the ability to score at all three levels on the court, is typically tasked with defending the opposing team's best player and performs at the highest level in big-time games. 

Torre Kildow, Belmont Union, junior, 5’11”

Named honorable mention last season as a sophomore when she averaged 17.1 points per game. Always a threat from outside, she has already scored 20 or more points in multiple games this season and is on pace to surpass 1,000 career points as a junior. She has the quickness of a guard at the 3 and can create a mismatch against many defenders.

Mya Perry, Reynoldsburg, senior, 5’11”

She scored 15.3 points per game last season on 50.1% shooting and 43.9% from 3-point range to be named special mention All-Ohio. An unselfish player who cares more about team success than personal success, she can play either of the wing spots and is a good shooter who can also take the ball to the basket and finish. She has committed to Ohio State.

Imarianah Russell, Reynoldsburg, senior, 5’11”

Was named first-team All-Ohio last season in her first at Reynoldsburg after two seasons at Dublin Coffman and averaged 20.1 points, 6.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists as a junior. A 1,000-point scorer in her career who can score from anywhere on the floor. Defensively, she can lock down her defender and also has the quickness to step into the passing lanes for a steal leading to a transition opportunity. She has committed to West Virginia.

Grace Schill, Archbishop Hoban, senior, 5’9”

A co-captain this season, she played in all 24 games for the Knights last year and averaged 6.9 points, 3.5 assists and 2.3 rebounds per game. She has committed to play at Westminster College. She is good in the paint and can finish around the basket. She is a stalwart on defense, whether in a press or in the half court.

Jamisyn Stinson, Sheridan, sophomore, 5’9”

Was named honorable mention All-Ohio as a freshman last year with 12.9 points, 4.5 rebounds, two assists and two steals per game. A pure shooter, she set the school’s single-season record for 3-pointers made with 78 last season. She can score from anywhere on the floor and gets her shot off quickly.

Lauryn Stover, Gilmour Academy, senior, 5’11”

She averaged 13.5 points, seven rebounds, four assists and 2.5 steals per game last season and was named honorable mention All-Ohio. She has versatility on defense and uses her length to guard multiple spots. Offesnively, she is a good shooter from the perimeter. She has signed to play at Indiana – Purdue University Fort Wayne (IPFW).

Maddie Vejsicky, Newark, senior, 6’0”

An athletic wing who can play either the 2 or the 3, she is also a lethal shooter from deep, as she set the school record with 10 3-pointers made in the district championship game last season and also holds the school record for the most 3-pointers in a season. She can also set up her teammates for a shot. Defensively, she has the length to guard multiple spots. She has signed with Virginia Tech.

Reagan Vinskovich, Belmont Union, junior, 6’1”

She was named second-team All-Ohio last season when she averaged 21 points and 10 rebounds per game. She has already surpassed 1,000 points in her career early in her junior campaign. Known as a great a scorer, this season she has been asked to handle the ball more and also play in the mid-range. She can play multiple positions, including the wing and the post when needed.

Berry Wallace, Pickerington Central, sophomore, 6’1”

One of the top sophomores at the position, she averaged a double-double last season with 10 points and 10 rebounds per game as a freshman. She is a bigger wing player who can score at all three levels. She has a high basketball IQ and great feel for the game. Already has received multiple Division I offers.

Bella Ward, Gahanna Lincoln, senior, 5’11”

Averaged 15.9 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.9 steals last season and was named special mention All-Ohio. She is a four-year varsity player who can play either of the wing spots. Very strong and athletic, which allows her to rebound and score in the paint at a high level. She has committed to Xavier.

Annie Watson, St. Vincent-St. Mary, senior, 6’0”

Averaged 13 points, six rebounds and two steals per game last season in earning honorable mention All-Ohio honors. She is a very versatile player — a slasher who is quick and athletic with a great Euro step offensively. On the defensive end, she can guard anyone on the floor.

Cameron Zinn, McArthur Vinton, senior, 5’10”

A versatile player who can play any position and was named second-team All-Ohio last season after averaging 12.3 points, 10.1 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 3.4 steals per game. Zinn is one of the most competitive high school athletes you will ever see — very skilled on the offensive end and one of the best defenders in the state.