Journey to the Tourney 2025
Louisville signee “Peanut” Cradle.
This Event Gets the Ohio Season Off to a Good Start!
December 2, 2025
In its 8th year (second at Winton Woods High School in Cincinnati, Ohio), the event saw 24 teams do battle playing one or two preset games over the November 21-23, 2025, weekend. The event (presented by She Hoops Ohio) had approximately 30 colleges (NCAA D1 and D2 plus NAIA) attend at least one day of the event. The event started on the first day that Ohio schools can play an official game,
Midwest style a bit different
At least to some extent teams at this event, while often playing an up-tempo style, appeared more structured in their on-court efforts with more willing sharing of the ball than seen in games I view in Florida and Georgia (home turf). Yes, there is one versus one play but less frequent than I am used to (maybe one pass and up it goes!).
Ohio expands its number of classes
Last year the Ohio governing body (OHSAA) expanded from four to seven classes in basketball. According to multiple in-state sources, this has led to weaker early round playoff match-ups plus the “going to state” experience has been lessened as only the finals (in and out) are now played in Columbus rather than both the semi’s and finals. Both Florida and Georgia which previously expanded, reversed course (not enough but better) cutting the number of classes down. Sadly, the level of play in girls’ basketball justifies relatively fewer (not greater) number of divisions if you want quality play rather than “running clocks” in later rounds of state playoffs. Sadly, much of America is caught up in the “everyone gets a trophy” mentality.
Best teams present at event…
Not a shocker to those locals attending, best at start of season appeared to be host Winton Woods (2-0 at the event) and Kettering Fairmont (in Ohio, it is normal to say town name [Kettering] followed by school [Fairmont]. This is much less common down South.
Let us take a brief look at some of the talent present at Journey.
Players below are listed alphabetically with listed height, position, graduation year and school. All are from Ohio unless marked otherwise after school name.
Kareena Agrawal, 5-6, guard, 2027, Olentangy High School
Agrawal posted four triples in scoring 25 points in a 67-65 win over Portsmouth and 24 points in a 60-54 win over Chaminade Julienne showing driving and perimeter stroke.
Sienna Allen, 6-0, wing, 2026, Portsmouth High School
An Ohio University commit, Allen posted one of the most impressive performances of the event, scoring 31 points in a 67-65 loss to Olentangy. She hit multiple threes, passed well and displayed strong driving ability as well sometimes facing double team action.
Lauren Bain, 6-4, center, 2026, Seton High School (Cincinnati)
A Kent State commit, Bain posted 30 points, scoring in the lower paint in a 63-46 win over Upper Arlington High School.
Strawberry Blankumsee, 5-9, guard, 2028, Winton Woods High School
One of the top players in the 2028 class, Blankumsee was not at her best physically in posting 22 points total in her team’s two wins at the event. Still a few moves to attack the rim left no doubt as to her talent.
Libby Bunsold, 5-9, point guard, 2028, Bellbrook High School (above)
Bunsold was impressive in each of her team’s two wins (19 and 27 points) at the event. However, points were only part of it as she skillfully controlled her team’s offense with handles, made good decisions and showed quality passing ability. Her maturation should be monitored from Power 4 level down - the word in the gym indicated only mid-major interest in her as of the event.
Ja’Kyiah Cook, 6-0, wing, 2029, Chaminade Julienne
Cook is considered one of Ohio’s top prospects in the 2029 class as she shows an above average ability to attack the rim with athletic power. Building shooting range (not shown in the one viewing) would add considerably to her value.
Ariyana Cradle, 5-6, point guard, 2026, SPIRE Academy (above)
A Louisville commit, Cradle led her team to a 63-49 win over Pickerington Central scoring 15 points while displaying her flashy handles and high energy.
Whitley Davis, 5-11, wing, 2026, Winton Woods High School
A North Carolina A&T commit, Davis was a steady performer scoring a total of 25 points in her two team’s two wins at the event. Whether it be a drive or three, she took what the opponent gave her.
Calli Geller, 5-9, point guard, 2027, Newark High School
While her team lost 70-48 to Bellbrook, Geller looked steady in leading her team at point while posting 15 points. Word in the gym was she has D1 offers below the Power 4 level.
Reece Hachney, 5-7, guard, 2027, Mount Notre Dame
An Eastern Michigan recruit, Hackney was a calm field general running her team in its 63-25 win over Upper Arlington. Granted the game was not close but she displayed solid handles and passing ability while helping with her team’s press which overwhelmed Upper Arlington.
Mychael Hanson, 5-8, point guard, 2029, Chaminade Julienne
In posting 12 points in her team’s 60-54 loss to Olentangy, Hanson showed an athletic driving ability and mid-range stroke worthy of monitoring at least at the mid-D1 level.
Janiyah Hargrave, 5-9, guard, 2028, Kettering Fairmont High School
One of the top prospects in the 2028 class, Hargrave posted 19 points in her team’s 60-54 win over Pickerington Central. This is one player who oozes athleticism when attacking the rim.
Elizabeth Hunt, 6-0, wing, 2026, Upper Arlington High School
A Marshall commit, Hunt showed well as a baseline operator although her team lost both games at the event.
Elle Lakios, 5-7, shooting guard, 2027, Rocky River Magnificat High School
Lakios showed a nice three-point stroke in posting 23 points in a 48-35 win over Bishop Fenwick.
Maliyah Lofton, 5-7, point guard, 2026, Western Reserve Academy
A Mercer commit, Lofton got hot (19 points total) in the second half helping to cut a 32-15 deficit to a respectable 61-55 loss to host Winton Woods.
Lucy Luers, 6-1, forward, 2028, Bishop Fenwick High School (Franklin, Ohio)
Although her team lost its only game at the event, Luers showed a D1 upside combining height with a decent perimeter stroke and scoring ability (11 points for the game) in the paint.
Tara Nachbar, 6-3, wing, 2028, Western Reserve Academy (above)
From Slovenia, Nachbar combines great perimeter size with good footspeed and passing ability. She needs to get physically stronger and build shooting range, but a Power 4 upside is already in play.
Emma Quackenbush, 6-0, shooting guard, 2027, Newark High School
In posting 14 points in her team’s one (losing) outing at the event, Quackenbush showed above average driving ability and some ‘ups.’ Word in the gym is that she has D1 offers below the Power 4 level.
Jordyn Suggs, 5-10, guard, 2029, Lawrence North High School (IN)
Suggs typified Lawrence North in having talent but youth. Her team lost 57-30 to host Winton Woods in a game (not living up to billing) between reigning state champs from Indiana and Ohio. Suggs showed stroke and athleticism of D1 level but in early stages of development.
Whitney Stafford, 5-8, guard, 2026, Olentangy High School
A Kent State commit, Stafford showed a nice perimeter stroke in posting 23 points in a 67-65 win over Portsmouth and 20 points in a 60-54 win over Chaminade Julienne.
Bella Swisshelm, 6-0, guard, 2029, West Clermont High School
Swisshelm is considered one of the top prospects in Ohio’s 2029 class. She is a lefty with solid perimeter stroke, runs well and has good passing instincts, still needing to fill out physically.
Kendall Teamer, 5-11, wing, 2029, Toledo Notre Dame Academy
Teamer good hands, strong build and undersized power in working her way to the basket. She needs to build range and watch conditioning to fulfill D1 potential.
Mia Vieth, 5-6, shooting guard, 2026, Mount Notre Dame
An unsigned senior, Vieth can hit the three off (had four in the one viewing) in posting 25 points in her team’s one game (63-25 win over Upper Arlington) at the event. She plays within the team concept not forcing bad shots.
Blossom Wallace, 6-1, wing, 2026, Pickerington Central High School (above)
Having seen Wallace evolve from relatively soft young pup of a few years ago to now tough- as-nails senior, the Ohio University commit did not seem like the same player. A fierce driver, she posted 16 points in her team’s 63-49 loss to SPIRE Academy. Adding additional shooting range might be one area to improve on for the next level.