CINCINNATI — It's not common see a freshman starting on a varsity basketball team. At Purcell Marian, they have four, which have helped lead the young squad to the state tournament.
What You Need To Know
- Purcell Marian's girls' basketball team reached its second straight state final four appearance
- The team has four starting freshmen
- Dee Alexander is ranked as one of the best freshmen in the country
- The team takes on Belmont Union Local on Thursday at 12 p.m.
Purcell Marian wasn’t sure how good its girls' basketball team would be this year after making it to the state tournament for the first time in 2021, graduating several key players. But enter four freshmen, and this team is riding high.
“We all have been enjoying it as a team," said Dee Alexander, one of the freshmen. "We have a lot of bond with each other as a team, and it’s just fun to be able to play with the team that we have now.”
Alexander is one of the best freshman players in the country. She said the success this year is exciting for years to come.
“Us being this young and we still have three more years to go, it’s going to be very enjoyable for the next three years that we have," Alexander said.
Two of the other freshmen are twins, Cy’Aira and Ky’aira Miller. They said it’s not always easy playing with one another.
“We will get mad at each other on the court," Ky'Aira said. "But after we get home, we talk about it and we’re back and OK.”
Ky’aira said she was surprised she was picked as a starter.
“I feel like I was going to be coming off the bench trying to work my way to the top," she said.
Her sister said the young team bonded, and despite their experience level, are a talented bunch.
“I feel like we all got talent," Cy'Aira said. "Even though we don’t have that much experience, I feel like we play good together.”
And rounding out the Fab Four is Trinity Small. She said the goal is to win states this year, and every year this talented group is together.
“It makes me really excited," Small said. "I feel like we’re going to go places. We’re going to go far. That’s my goal, win states all four years.”
Purcell Marian takes on Belmont Union Local at 12 p.m. at University of Dayton Arena. The winner will advance to the state championship.
The semifinals are available for Spectrum video customers on channel 314, and the championship games on Saturday will be live on Spectrum News 1 and the Spectrum News App. OHSAA Championship Gameday coverage begins 15 minutes before each game, and returns immediately following the contest.