OHIO — Cincinnati Purcell Marian captured the first girls’ basketball title in school history, with a 62-38 win over Worthington Christian in the OHSAA Division III state championship game.
The Cavaliers (26-1) cruised through the entire tournament, winning all seven games by double-figures, to the tune of 33.3 average margin of victory.
Your 2022 Division III Ohio girls basketball champions: Purcell Marian.@SpectrumNews1OH pic.twitter.com/VuQZMPoCV9
— Casey Weldon (@TheWallyWeldon) March 12, 2022
Purcell Marian created a lot of pressure, creating 14 turnovers — 11 of which came in the first half. It also led to a 23-9 advantage in fast break points.
The Cavaliers were also aided by 63% shooting (24 of 38), including 63% from behind the three-point line (5-8), and 82% (9-11) at the line.
Just as she did on Thursday, sophomore Jayda Mosley — the lone returning regular from last year’s Final Four team — was a settling presence. She scored 11 of her 16 points in the first half. Mosley had 34 points for the state tournament, adding in her 18 in the semifinal win over Union Local.
Freshman Dee Alexander took over the third quarter, scoring 10 straight points for the Cavs, who opened 43-30 advantage. Alexander, one of the top players in the Class of 2025 in the entire country, scored 25 points and pulled down 16 rebounds.
Naturally there will be comparisons with another Ohio freshman that generated national attention at a young age. Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary’s Lebron James scored 25 points, with nine rebounds and four assists on his way to a state championship as a freshman, beating Jamestown Greenview 73-55 in the 2000 Division III final.
Worthington Christian capped an incredible season with its first appearance in the state title game. The Warriors finished 27-3, and got 16 points from Meghan Mayotte and 11 from Megan Weakley in the final.