The high school basketball season is in full swing and it's no secret the Cincinnati area is home to some of the best hoops in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana.
Who better to know what kind of talent Cincinnati offers than the players themselves?
The Cincinnati Enquirer sought opinions from players across multiple conferences on opponents who were impressive on the court this season.
Check cincinnati.com each Friday to see which boys and girls basketball players left an impression on their opponents this year.
Want to give an opponent a shoutout for his or her stellar play this season? Contact Shelby Dermer at [email protected] or on Twitter @EnquirerShelby.
More:Nothing but respect: Cincinnati athletes offer shoutouts to opponents who impress, Jan. 7
More:Ohio high school girls basketball poll: MND keeps slim lead over Princeton for state No. 1
Sole Williams, Princeton
"Sole Williams is a player that has been such a tough competition this year. She has made tremendous improvements over this past year and has really shown what she can do in every game. She can shoot the three, drive to the basket, attack the defense and assist her teammates. She can do it all. She’s a competitor and puts everything out on the court. Sole is a threat against any team she is playing against, which is why I believe that she should be recognized."
— Kiley McNally, Colerain
Williams was first-team Greater Miami Conference and honorable mention all-district as a freshman in 2019, but appeared in only two games last season due to an ankle injury. This season, the junior leads the GMC in scoring at 24.6 points per game and is tied for the league lead in assists. Williams also ranks in the top three in the GMC in both field goal percentage (51.7) and three-point percentage (37.6). Williams has helped lead Princeton to a 12-2 record and first place in the GMC.
Mari Gerton, Summit Country Day
"Mari Gerton, playing against her is a challenge. She plays both sides of the ball well. She is quick on defense and creates havoc and offensively she can score from anywhere. She plays with a calm demeanor and can control the game well."
— Jayda Mosley, Purcell Marian
Gerton is one of the many talented freshmen in the Miami Valley Conference this season. She is fifth in the league in scoring at 15.2 points to go with 4.4 rebounds, four assists and 2.8 steals per game. Gerton has helped steer the Silver Knights to an 8-4 record.
Chance Gray, Winton Woods
"One of the most obvious top players that I have played this season is Chance Gray. She is a great player, which would explain why she is going to Oregon next year to continue her basketball career. She doesn’t back down. She comes into the game every night knowing that the opposing team is going to do everything in their power to shut her down, but it doesn’t phase her. She never stops moving and will shoot from anywhere on the floor with accuracy. She plays with a confidence that all other players should look up to. My best wishes go out to her as she goes off to college next year."
— Anna Swisshelm, West Clermont
Gray was a two-time first-team All-Ohio member while at Lakota West and she's on pace to make it three straight. After leading the GMC in scoring last season, Gray now leads the ECC at 24.9 points per game. She's also fourth in the ECC in assists (four) and leads the league in steals per game (3.2). Winton Woods, after going 6-11 last season, sits at 13-1 overall and in first place in the ECC.
Jessie Branch, Hughes
"I would give credit to Jessie (Branch). That was the hardest point guard that I've come across. Me and her have played against each other a lot. She has definitely gotten better. She gave us a hard time, I ain't going to lie."
— Destiny Rice, Withrow
Branch, a first-team Cincinnati Metro Athletic Conference and honorable mention all-district selection last season, ranks third in the CMAC this season in scoring (23.3 points per game) and steals (five). Branch scored a career-high 34 points in a 73-59 loss to Withrow Dec. 6, a total she matched just nine days later against Woodward.
Quinn Eubank, Ryle
"Quinn was always a dominate post player. This year, she has expanded her game so much. Not only can she beat you inside, she can take you off the dribble or shoot over from long range. It makes her a hard match up on defense."
—Elizabeth McCoy, Holy Cross
Eubank played 33 games for Ryle as an eighth-grader during the 2019-2020 season, when the Raiders advanced to the second round of the KHSAA Sweet Sixteen Tournament before it was canceled due to the pandemic. Eubank helped lead Ryle to a 33rd District crown last season. This year, the sophomore is averaging 12.9 points and 9.9 rebounds per game for Ryle, which sits at 11-4 overall and a perfect 4-0 against region foes.
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