Ohio high school girls basketball: Meet the state’s best forwards for the 2023-24 season

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

With fall sports in the rearview mirror, the high school basketball season is finally here.

SBLive Sports is highlighting some of the best players in Ohio heading into the winter season.

Over the next few weeks, we’ll be taking a position-by-position look at some of the best of the best in high school girls basketball. We started with point guards, combo guards and wings and are now moving on to the forwards.

Here are 20 of the best forwards in Ohio entering the 2023-24 high school girls basketball season.

There are hundreds of standout girls basketball players in Ohio, and these lists are not intended to be comprehensive! You can discuss the other forwards worthy of fans’ attention in 2023-24 by connecting with us on Twitter @SBLiveOH or emailing ryan@scorebooklive.com.

(Note: All stats/information was gathered prior to the season starting)

Bree Allen, Fairland

She averaged 14.3 points per game last year and was named 2nd Team All-Ohio in Division II. The Dragons return most of a team that went undefeated until the state semifinals last year.

Harper Annarino, Granville

 The 6-footer averaged 18.1 points per game last year and was named 2nd Team All-Ohio in Division II.

Bridget Barber, Brecksville-Broadview Heights

 The junior averaged 13.4 points and 6.0 rebounds last year and is getting looks from schools such as Miami (Ohio), Northern Kentucky, Marist and Jacksonville.

Elise Bender, Anthony Wayne

 She and her sister led the Generals to the Division I final four in 2022. Last year the junior averaged 17.4 points per game and was named 3rd Team All-Ohio.

Hayven Carter, Portsmouth

Basketball fans down by the river have known for a long time about this 6-foot-1 freshman who is listed as the No. 2 player in Ohio in her class by Prep Girls Hoops.

Mackenzie Edingburgh, Archbishop Hoban

 Playing in a positionless system that is centered around pressure defense, this senior is the leading scorer thus far for the Knights.

Braelyn Even, Badin

Last year as a freshman she averaged 15.6 points per game and was named 2nd team All-Ohio in Division II. 

Lauren Gerken, Liberty-Benton

An excellent defender who also averaged 19.8 points per game last year, the Bowling Green signee was named 1st Team All-Ohio last year in Division II.

Julia Hall, Magnificat

 A starter since she was a freshman, the junior is very good at posting up but can also drain the outside shot, earning her offers from schools such as Eastern Michigan, Cleveland State and UNC-Wilmington.

Kiera Healy, Dayton Carroll

 The 6-foot sophomore is a strong defender and a solid scorer, making her the No. 13 player in the state in her class, according to Prep Girls Hoops.

Seini Hicks, Purcell Marian

 Last year she led Cincinnati West Clermont to an undefeated regular season and the No. 2 ranking in the Division I state poll, but the senior has transferred to Purcell this year as the Cavaliers seek their third consecutive state title. The Ohio State commit was 2nd Team All-Ohio last year, averaging 12.6 points per game.

Helen Holley, Gilmour Academy

Headed to Michigan State next year, the 6-footer has athletic skills that are off the charts, making her an exceptional rebounder and shot blocker. She averaged 14.7 points last year and was named 2nd Team All-Ohio in Division II.

Natiah Nelson, Africentric 

The Nubians return most of their roster from last year’s Division III state title campaign, led by this 1st Team All-Ohioan who averaged 15 points per game.

Madison Parrish, Mason

 The Comets finished the regular season last year ranked No. 1 in the state in Division I, thanks in no small part to this junior, who averaged 13.5 points per game and was named 3rd team All-Ohio.

Zhieyah Rolack, Dayton Meadowdale 

The best player in the Dayton Public League last year, she averaged 23.4 points per game to earn Special Mention All-Ohio honors and scored 45 points in a sectional tournament game.

Milee Smith, Unioto

 Ranked as the seventh-best sophomore in the state by Prep Girls Hoops, she averaged 13.7 points per game last year and was named 3rd Team All-Ohio in Division II.

Daniah Trammell, Winton Woods

A very physically strong player, the junior averaged 15 points and 12.6 rebounds last year.

Kailee Thiel, Bryan

 The 6-foot-1 senior can play both inside and out, as she did last year while averaging 11 points per game, helping Bryan make its first state semifinal appearance, losing to eventual Division II champion Purcell Marian.

Aniya Trent, Springboro

 With offers from schools such as Clemson, Louisville, Memphis, Rutgers and Xavier, the 6-footer is one of the top juniors in the state.

Blossom Wallace, Pickerington Central

As long as older sister Berry is on the floor, the 6-1 sophomore will be counted on more for her defense and rebounding, both of which she does very well.

(Feature photo of Africentric's Natiah Nelson by Michael Noyes, SBLive Sports)