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

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

By Ryan Isley

Over the past few weeks, we've been 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 and power forwards. Now we finish it up with the centers.

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 centers worthy of fans’ attention in 2021-22.

Pictured above is Mason's Kyla Oldacre (photo by Ben Jackson).

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Natalie Allen, Middletown Fenwick, senior, 6’3”

A good rebounder and defender who can change shots in the paint because of her length. On offense, she has a nice mid-range jump shot and can step out to shoot 3s if left open. Has good upside.

Stephanie Altstaetter, Indian Lake, junior, 5’10”

Averaged 15 points and eight rebounds per game last season in garnering unanimous all-league honors. Was a point guard in junior high before hitting a growth spurt, and because of that she can still play as the backup point guard and set up the offense. A hard worker who is constantly working on improving her game.

Caroline Berlekamp, Liberty Union, junior, 6’2”

She has good quickness for a post player and uses that to score in the paint. She can also step out and shoot from the mid-range. A hard worker in the paint who can grab offensive rebounds and give her team a second chance to score.

Lily Bottomley, Canal Fulton Northwest, junior, 6’3”

Averaged 12.5 points, nine rebounds and 2.5 blocks per game last season and was honorable mention All-Ohio, along with the district player of the year. Has great footwork and moves well for a post player. She has already set the school record for career blocks. She can score in the post and also shoot from the perimeter.

Ella Brandewie, Bishop Hartley, junior, 6’3”

Averaged 12.3 points per game last season and started this season by averaging 12 points and 16 rebounds per game in the first few weeks. She is an elite rebounder on both ends of the floor and a defensive intimidator in the paint with her length. She is one of the top volleyball recruits in the state as well.

Molly Castellanos, Hathaway Brown, sophomore, 6’2”

She can score at all three levels by shooting from the perimeter and the mid-range or taking the ball to the basket and finishing in the paint. Makes a difference on the defensive end with her size in the paint.

Regan Clark, Sidney, junior, 6’0”

Entering her first season at Sidney after transferring from Jackson Center, she is a strong defender in the paint. Offensively, she can score down low or step outside and create a mismatch for most defenders.

Meghan Downing, Tri-Village, senior, 6’2”

Averaged 11 points, 10 rebounds, 4.7 blocks and 3.3 assists per game last season. She is a strong defender in the paint. She can knock down mid-range jumpers and passes the ball well for a post player.

Photo by Ben Jackson

Taylor Gray, Arcanum, senior, 6’0”

Averaged 12 points and eight rebounds per game last season in earning first-team all-conference honors. She is the anchor in the post for a team that likes to play smothering defense and can keep other teams from scoring.

Grace Hagemyer, North Baltimore, senior, 6’1”

Shows great footwork in the post and is a good scorer in the paint as a true post-up center. She is a force defensively in the paint with her size and had 12 blocked shots in a playoff game last season.

Ciara Horney, Cedarville, senior, 5’11”

Scored 10.2 points and grabbed 6.1 rebounds per game last season. She can play the 3, 4 and 5. She is a versatile player and good rebounder who can step outside and shoot or post up in the paint.

Sophia Kline, Berne Union, junior, 6’1”

Averaged 11 points and 7.8 rebounds per game last season. She can play any position because she has the ability to score in the post or to step out and play on the perimeter, where she can shoot or attack the basket off the dribble. Defensively, she can guard all five positions.

Mary Meng, Midview, junior, 6’4”

Transferred to Midview after two seasons at non-OHSAA Christian Community School in North Eaton. She has great footwork for someone her size in the paint. She has stepped up with the level of competition and was averaging 16 points and 17 rebounds per game through the first handful of games for the Middies this season. In her first game for Midview, she scored 21 points, grabbed 26 rebounds and blocked eight shots against Avon.

Kyla Oldacre, Mason, senior, 6’5”

Averaged 14.9 points, 9.1 rebounds and 3.2 blocks per game last season, her first season at Mason after transferring from Princeton. She has been named first-team all-conference in all three seasons and was the conference defensive player of the year as a freshman and sophomore. She is committed to the University of Miami (Florida).

Abbey Parker, Sandy Valley, senior, 6’2”

Nearly averaged a double-double last season with 10.8 points and 9.8 rebounds per game and was named to the all-conference first team as well as the all-district second team. Has the ability to be a great rebounder and showed that by grabbing 17 boards in a win early this season over Indian Valley.

Lanae Riley, Archbishop Hoban, senior, 5’11”

Was named first-team All-Ohio last season by averaging 22.1 points and nine rebounds per game while shooting 63% from the field. She has signed to play at Middle Tennessee State. She is a great rebounder and a strong scorer in the paint. Has worked on adding a jumper to round out her offensive game. While already an outstanding player, she continues to be very coachable.

Riley Rismiller, Coldwater, junior, 6’5”

Averaged a double-double last season with 17.7 points and 10.5 rebounds per game as a sophomore and was honorable mention All-Ohio. She has a great understanding of the game and is a team player with a high work ethic and drive. 

Abbie Smith, Vincent Warren, senior, 6’0”

Averaged 16.3 points and 10 rebounds per game last season while shooting 64% from the field. She has great footwork for a post player. She is tough to guard inside but can also go outside and shoot the jumper. Her court vision allows her to pass out of double and triple teams.

Mauria Stanley, Trinity, senior, 5’11”

Her athleticism and versatility allow her to play multiple positions, as she can score in the paint or step outside where she is one of the team’s best shooters. She is great defensively and can be a game-changer on that end of the floor with her shot-blocking ability.

Jordan Weir, GlenOak, senior, 6’6”

Averaged a double-double with 10 points and 10 assists per game last season. She is a very good rebounder and a great shot blocker who can change the game defensively.