TOP 5 BOYS
Antione West, Whitmer
The 6-foot-3 senior will play for Purdue in the Big Ten next season and he left his mark at Whitmer by becoming the program’s all-time leading scorer. He averaged 17.8 points, 5.1 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.5 steals per game. He also made 82.8 percent of his free throws. He was named First Team All-District by both the AP and Coaches. Whitmer coach Anthony Stacey said, “Antione is an exceptional player who played a pivotal role in leading our program to new heights, including the Final Four in 2024 and regional tournament in 2025. He is a true winner and I’m looking forward to seeing what he can do at Purdue.”
Isaiah Mack-Russell, Central Catholic
The 6-foot-5 sophomore was named First Team All-District while averaging 18.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 1.3 steals per game. He shot 49 percent from the floor and 80 percent from the free throw line. He is rated the number one player in the state of Ohio in the class of 2027. Coach Mike Floyd said, “Isaiah puts a lot of pressure on opposing defenses because of his ability to score in a variety of ways and we asked a lot out of him for being only a sophomore. We are looking forward to seeing him expand his game and grow, not only as a basketball player, but as a leader and young person, first and foremost.”
Makhi Leach, Whitmer
The 6-foot-3 senior was a go-to player for the Panthers and was a key member of the team who led them to the state semifinals in 2024 and to the regionals in 2025. He averaged 21.6 points, 6.6 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 2.0 steals per game. He made 80.6 percent of his free throws. The Bowling Green State University commit was consistent all season long for coach Anthony Stacey who said, “Makhi demonstrated unselfishness and a relentless focus on our team’s success. He can score from all over the court and became an even better team leader this season. It’s been a pleasure to coach him.”
Race Kowalczyk, St. John’s
The Titans junior is well on his way to becoming the 12th player in St. John’s history to score 1,000 career points. He averaged 17.8 points, 5.1 rebounds, and shot 40 percent from three-point land and 80 percent from the free throw line. He was also named First Team All-CHSL and First Team All-District 7. Coach Mike Schoen said, “Race is a hard worker who is always in the gym. He was slowed down in the off-season because of a back injury but came back this year and played great for us. He continues to challenge himself to improve different areas of his game and I am excited to see his development this offseason.” He is bring recruited by a number of mid-major NCAA Division I colleges.
Shawn Foster, Lima Senior
He was named the Division II District Player of the Year as a sophomore, leading the Spartans with 17.9 points, 4 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 2 steals per game. He helped lead Lima Senior to the regional tournament. Coach Quincey Simpson said, “Shawn was the head of our snake. He craved for big moments where he rose to the occasion each and every time. He has a very bright future.” He currently holds college scholarship offers from a number of programs including Cincinnati, Murray State, and Toledo.
Top 5 Girls
Brooke Bender, Anthony Wayne
The 6-foot-1 senior averaged 16.9 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game and was named Division II District 7 First Team. The Northern Lakes League Co-Player of the Year is headed to Villanova University next season. She’s a four-year varsity player for the Generals and has played a key role in leading Anthony Wayne to the Division II state championship game. Coach Jami Carter said, “Brooke has been a leader on the floor and in the locker room since her freshman year. Her complete and through knowledge and understanding of the game and more specifically, our priorities has made her invaluable to our program.”
Elise Bender, Anthony Wayne
The 6-foot-1 senior wing averaged 23.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 3.8 steals for an Anthony Wayne team that reached the Division II state championship game. The Division II District 7 Player of the Year and Northern Lakes League Co-Player of the Year has signed with Villanova University. Through the district round, Bender was shooting 67 percent on two-point field goal attempts, and 41 percent from three-point land. She made 86 percent of her free throws. Entering the state championship game, she had accumulated 2,038 career points. She was also named First Team Division I All-Ohio in 2024 and a Ms. Basketball finalist in 2024 and 2025. Coach Jami Carter said, “Elise is an extraordinary combination of talent, desire, and competitiveness. She has success at an early age but yet only used that to drive herself to work harder and be more committed to reach the highest level of her game.”
Elly Evarts, Gibsonburg
The sophomore guard averaged 22 points, 8 rebounds, 3.9 assists a game. She has already surpassed 1,000 career points and was named the Associated Press Division VI Co-Player of the Year. She led the Golden Bears to the district championship game and was named Sandusky Bay Conference River Division Player of the Year. After a 48-year drought, Gibsonburg has won back-to-back league championships the past two seasons with Elly on the roster. Coach Bo Evarts said, “Elly’s ability to score at all three levels allowed for other players on our team to be successful, which has ultimately led to much of our team’s success.”
Nina Sims, Notre Dame
The Eagles’ senior averaged 11.7 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game as she became a team leader. NDA Coach Travis Galloway said, “Nina’s ability to attack the basket and make players around her better played a big role in our success this season. She also did a great job of making plays on defense. Her role as a leader this year has helped us reach our goal of making the state final four.” A number of NCAA Division II colleges have expressed interest but Nina has yet to make a decision on her college destination.
Victoria Gray, Bedford
The Kickin’ Mules senior is dynamic on the court in more ways than one. She will play volleyball at Indiana University next season but she made the most out of her last basketball season in 2025. She is the school’s all-time leading scorer and finished her high school career with 1,000+ points and 1,000+ rebounds. This season she averaged 20.6 points and 15.0 rebounds. Coach Bill Ryan said, “Victoria has set a new standard for our basketball program. She is a fierce competitor, phenomenal athlete, and outstanding teammate packaged in a 6’2″ frame with a motor that does not quit. You know you have a special player when they are a first-team all-state caliber performer in a sport they play for just four months a year. Victoria is so instinctual out on the court. She understands situations and tendencies and can use her length and athleticism to exploit them throughout the game.”
