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

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 focused on the point guards, next were the shooting guards, followed by the small forwards. Now it's the power 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 power forwards worthy of fans’ attention in 2021-22.

Pictured above is Valley View's Claire Henson (photo by Ben Jackson).

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Chloe Chard-Peloquin, Newark Catholic, senior, 6’2”

Was named third-team All-Ohio last season after averaging 14 points and 13 rebounds per game. She can play multiple positions, including point guard and each post spot. A tough defender who loves the challenge of guarding all spots on the floor. Has the strength to guard in the post but also the speed to guard on the perimeter. She has signed to play at Canisius College.

Olivia Cooper, Pickerington Central, junior, 6’1”

She averaged eight points and six rebounds per game last year as a sophomore. She is very long and athletic with a great first step. Defensively, she is a very versatile defender who can guard inside or on the perimeter. Already holds multiple Division I college offers.

McKayla Dunkle, Cadiz Harrison Central, senior, 6’2

Named second-team All-Ohio last season when she averaged a double-double with 17.8 points and 11.8 rebounds per game. She can play in the post, where she has excelled the past three seasons, and on the perimeter, where her game is much improved and can now score at all three levels. She is a tremendous rebounder and has developed into an excellent shot blocker.

Lauren Gerken, Liberty Benton, sophomore, 5’11”

Came onto the scene as a freshman last season and earned honorable mention All-Ohio honors by averaging 17.2 points per game. Creates a defensive mismatch with her length and quick hands, which allow her to get blocked shots or steals.

Kamryn Grant, Africentric, sophomore, 6’1”

Made her mark as a freshman with her athleticism. Offensively, she can play in the paint or on the perimeter and she handles the ball well for a big. On the defensive end, she uses her length as a dominant shot blocker in the paint.

Claire Henson, Valley View, senior, 5’11”

She averaged 12 points and six rebounds per game last season in earning special mention All-Ohio honors. A very versatile forward who can score at the basket or step out and shoot the mid-range jumper and can also score from the perimeter. She has committed to Long Island University.

Alexa Hocevar, West Geauga, junior, 6’1”

Averaged 11.7 points and nine rebounds per game last year and was named special mention All-Ohio in Division II. She is strong on the offensive and defensive end of the floor. She is a good shooter from the perimeter and has the athletic ability to get out in transition and score ahead of the defense.

Helen Holley, Laurel, sophomore, 6’2”

A sophomore with high upside, she is a terrific athlete with a quick first and second jump. She’s starting to come into her own and can score in the paint as a post player, but also attack from the perimeter like a guard. She has a high IQ for the game and always seems to know the right place to be and the right thing to do.

Morgan Hunt, Tri-Village, junior, 5’10”

Earned first-team All-Ohio in Division IV and Southwest District’s Division IV co-player of the year last season while averaging 18.2 points and 7.8 rebounds per game. She is a great all-around player who has a great competitive nature and really shines in the transition game. Can knock down the open perimeter shot but her best gift is her ability to finish around the rim.

Sarah Johnson, Troy Christian, senior, 6’2”

She averaged 9.8 points and 8.5 rebounds per game as a junior last season. Her size creates problems on the defensive end, and she can block or change shots because of it. Also uses that size to be a good rebounder in the paint. She is a very efficient scorer in the paint on the offensive end.

Ashley Kerekes, Copley, junior, 5’10”

She was named special mention All-Ohio last season as a sophomore. She displays a lot of athleticism and can get out quickly in transition. On the defensive end, she is a good rebounder and shot blocker in the paint.

Blessing King, Worthington Christian, senior, 5’11”

Named honorable mention All-Ohio last year with 12.6 points per game. She is an elite athlete who knows how to use that athleticism to get out in transition and with start the fast break or finish it. She is also a great rebounder who plays with a motor that doesn’t stop. Defensively, she uses that athleticism to guard multiple positions.

Mallory Mullen, Springfield Catholic Central, senior, 6’0”

A two-time state champion in the high jump, she uses that athletic ability on the basketball court to be a great rebounder and offensive threat around the basket. She was named honorable mention All-Ohio in basketball last season. She has signed to compete in track and field at the University of Kentucky.

Asia Nicholson, Brush, senior, 6’1”

She averaged 13 points and 14 rebounds per game last season. A dynamic forward who is very athletic, she can touch the rim and is very fast. She is a monster down low and can shoot the ball as well. She has signed to play for Alabama A&M.

Samara Savoy, Reynoldsburg, junior, 5’11”

A physical player who is a good rebounder and defender in the paint because she is not afraid of a physical style of play. That also allows her to be a strong scorer in the paint through traffic. She had a great game this season in a convincing win over Newark, scoring a career-high 16 points and grabbing 10 rebounds.

Jayne Six, Glouster Trimble, senior, 6’1”

Averaged 15.3 points per game last season, garnering honorable mention All-Ohio honors. Uses her size and length to be a double-double threat on any given night and also to defend the paint on the defensive end as a shot blocker.

Jenna Smith, Garrettsville Garfield, senior, 6’0”

Honorable mention All-Ohio last season with 18.3 points and 11.2 rebounds per game. She has already scored 1,000 points in her career through her junior season. The offense runs through her, and she is a matchup problem for teams because of how well she runs the floor and can handle the ball. She has committed to play at Marietta College.

Faith Stinson, Sheridan, senior, 6’1”

Averaged 18.8 points and 11.9 rebounds per game last season to be named first-team All-Ohio for the second time in her career. She can play inside or outside and handles the ball as a secondary ball-handler against the press. On pace to become Sheridan's all-time leading scorer, rebounder and shot blocker. She has committed to play at the University of Akron.

Allie Stockton, Sidney, junior, 5’11”

She averaged 16.1 points, 6.1 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 2.5 steals per game last year and has been a starter since her freshman season. She has learned how to focus on the other aspects of the game like rebounding and assists when her shot isn’t falling. She has been a key contributor for Sidney since her freshman year and is on pace to surpass 1,000 career points this season.

Belle Zirzow, Bristol, senior, 6’0”

Named honorable mention All-Ohio last season after averaging 19.8 points and 6.2 rebounds per game, which both led the team. She can score from the inside or the outside, as she is a good shooter from the perimeter. She uses her size inside to be a good rebounder.