Girls Basketball: Recognizing the area’s college players

Several of the area’s former top high school basketball players starred this season in the college ranks.

Here’s a look at some local athletes who have excelled at the next level.

Ivy Wolf – University of Dayton

High School: Minster

2024-25 stats: 31 games, 15.4 ppg, 4.3 reb, 2.9 ast

Wolf was one of the best shooters in the country during her senior season with the Flyers, even earning an invite to the State Farm three-point contest on April 3 prior to the NCAA Women’s Final Four. The 5-8 guard led Dayton in scoring 18 times and hit a career high of 33 points, shooting 12 of 15 with eight made threes against VCU on Jan. 5. A few of her postseason awards include Atlantic 10 Third Team All-Conference and College Sports Communicators Academic All-District Honors.

Riley Rismiller – Kent State University

High School: Coldwater

2024-25 stats: 28 games, 7.6 ppg, 5 reb

After spending one season at Dayton, Rismiller, a sophomore, found a new home at Kent State, where she was the tallest listed player on the roster at 6-4. She started each of the Golden Flashes’ first 11 games before settling into a bench role. Rismiller tallied 20 points on Nov. 4 against James Madison in the season opener, which included an impressive 14 of 15 performance from the free throw line.

Cali Gregory – Saint Francis

High School: Crestview

2024-25 stats: 31 games, 15.6 ppg, 3.8 ast, 3.3 reb

During her freshman season at Saint Francis, Gregory led the Cougars to a record of 26-5 with a mark of 15-3 in Crossroads League play. As a starter in all 31 games, the 5-10 guard had impressive shooting numbers of 49% from the floor, 44% from three and 74% from the free throw line. Gregory scored more than 30 points in a game three times this season, including a high of 34 against Mount Vernon Nazarene on Feb. 12. Saint Francis also awarded Gregory with the title of Female Breakout Performer of the Year.

Lyv Lindeman – Tiffin University

High School: Delphos Jefferson

2024-25 stats: 20 games, 11.4 ppg, 3.6 reb

The same reason Lindeman was so dangerous at Delphos Jefferson is the same reason she succeeded in her freshman season at Tiffin — her ability to score the ball. The 5-7 guard started all 20 games for the Dragons and played 32 minutes per night, shooting 41% from the floor and 35% from deep. Lindeman scored at least 20 points in four games, with her best night coming against Lake Erie College on Feb. 22, where she hit six threes, scored 25 points and grabbed six rebounds. On April 30, Lindeman announced that she is transferring to the University of Findlay next season.

Riley Irvin – Tiffin University

High School: Liberty-Benton

2024-25 stats: 28 games, 2.7 ppg,

Irwin appeared in 28 games during her sophomore season, up from 16 games played last year. In 16 minutes per night, Irwin didn’t do a lot of scoring, but was a reliable defender, averaging almost one steal per game. Her best game of the season was on Nov. 26 at Slippery Rock when she scored 14 points.

Ellie Gabel – Tiffin University

High School: New Knoxville

2024-25 stats: 26 games, 2.6 ppg, 1.0 reb

In her third year at Tiffin, Gabel played about 10 minutes per game off the bench. On Feb. 1 against Malone, the 5-7 guard tallied 14 career points, which was her lone double-figure performance of the season. Gabel also excelled in the classroom, earning her a spot on the 2024-25 College Sports Communicators All-District Team.

Erin Kaufman – Malone University

High School: Ottawa-Glandorf

2024-25 stats: 30 games, 16.0 ppg, 8.2 reb

Kaufman led Malone in scoring, rebounds, field goal percentage (55.1%), steals (1.7 steals per game) and blocks (0.7 blocks per game) as a junior. The 6-1 center played a key role in Malone’s 22-8 overall record with an appearance in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference Semifinals. The long list of postseason honors for Kaufman includes Division II Conference Commissioners Association First Team All-Midwest Region, First Team All-Conference in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference, College Sports Communicators, Academic All-District, NCCAA Scholar-Athlete, WBCA Honorable Mention All-American and NCCAA First Team All-American.

Katie Kaufman – Malone University

High School: Ottawa-Glandorf

2024-25 stats: 19 games, 2.4 ppg, 1.5 reb

In her freshman season at Malone, Kaufman cracked the rotation and played just over five minutes per game. The 6-1 forward scored a season high eight points on Feb. 20 against Tiffin and grabbed 10 rebounds against Lake Erie College on Jan. 30.

Elena Oliver – Malone University

High School: Bath

2024-25 stats: 12 games, 1.4 ppg, 1.5 reb

Oliver played around eight minutes per game off the bench in her sophomore season. She scored in six of those games, with a season-high of four points at Lake Erie College on Dec. 14.

Kristen Luersman – Ohio Northern

High School: Fort Jennings

2024-25 stats: 27 games, 8.6 ppg, 6.5 reb

Luersman wrapped up her college basketball career by starting in all 27 games for the Polar Bears. The 5-10 forward cracked double figures in 14 games last season and had her best game against St. John Fisher on Nov. 16 when she scored 18 points and pulled down 10 boards. During her five-year career, Luersman played in 103 games, scored 851 points and earned her fifth letter.

Chloee Glenn – Ohio Northern

High School: Ottawa-Glandorf

2024-25 stats: 27 games, 7.7 ppg, 5.8 reb

Glenn continued to be a consistent producer in her second year at Ohio Northern. The 5-10 forward played 513 minutes off the bench, shot 60% from the floor and made 100 of her 142 free throws. On Nov. 26 against Ohio Wesleyan, Glenn scored 14 points and grabbed 11 rebounds. Glenn is now a two-time letter winner at Ohio Northern.

Courtney Sumner – Ohio Northern

High School: Ada

2024-25 stats: 25 games, 5.1 ppg, 1.9 reb

Sumner earned her second letter for Ohio Northern after playing a prominent role off the bench in all but one game this season. The 5-5 guard hit 26 3-pointers in 344 total minutes. She scored a season-high 14 points two times, the first against Hilbert on Nov. 17 and once more on Jan. 18 against Mount Union.

Savana Brooks – Ohio Northern

High School: Allen East

2024-25 stats: 3 games, 2.7 ppg

As a freshman, Brooks appeared in just three games. The most notable of which came on Nov. 17 against Hilbert when she went 3 for 3 from the floor with eight points, including a pair of 3-pointers.

Noelle Ruane – Ohio Northern

High School: St. Marys

2024-25 stats: 27 games, 2.3 ppg, 3.2 reb

In her three years at Ohio Northern, Ruane has now appeared in 65 games with three starts and has scored 201 career points. The 5-8 guard shot 60% from the free throw line last season, which was her best mark in college. On Jan. 22 against Heidelberg, Ruane hit three of five shots from the floor and 2 of 3 free throws to finish with a season-best eight points.

Gabi Croft – Ohio Northern

High School: Spencerville

2024-25 stats: 10 games, 0.9 ppg

Croft, a 5-9 sophomore last season, scored in three games and twice tallied four points, both times against Heidelberg on Jan. 22 and Feb. 12. She played a season-high eight minutes on Feb. 1 against Capital.

Allison Schwartz – Ohio Northern

High School: Versailles

2024-25 stats: N/A

Schwartz did not appear in a game or record any stats during her freshman season with the Polar Bears.

Rachel Clark – Bluffton University

High School: Bath

2024-25 stats: 26 games, 8.1 ppg, 3.2 reb, 2.3 ast

In her sophomore season at Bluffton, Clark made the transition to the role of full-time starter. The 5-3 guard played 32 minutes per night and shot 40% from the floor, including 32% from deep. Her most notable performance came on Jan. 22 against Mount St. Joseph, when she shot 8 of 14 from the floor and scored 25 points. Clark was also one of four Beavers to be named to the 2024-25 Academic All-District Women’s Basketball Team, selected by College Sports Communicators.

Lacie Fenstermaker – Bluffton University

High School: Pandora-Gilboa

2024-25 stats: 26 games, 8.4 ppg, 6.4 reb, 1.7 ast

Fenstermaker continued an upward trajectory of improvement in her junior season at Bluffton. The 5-11 forward recorded career-high averages in points, shooting percentage (49%), defensive rebounds (4.2), blocks (1.1) and assists (1.7). Of her 10 times scoring in double figures, the most impressive was on Feb. 15 at Rose-Hulman, when she went 8 for 8 from the floor and scored 23 points. Along with Rachel Clark, Fenstermaker was also named to the 2024-25 Academic All-District Women’s Basketball Team, selected by College Sports Communicators.

Lindsey Smith – Bluffton University

High School: Kenton

2024-25 stats: 24 games, 6.1 ppg, 7.7 reb, 2.2 ast

As an experienced senior, Smith started 23 games and continued to be a dominant post presence, standing at 6-1. She doubled her scoring average (3.2 ppg to 6.5 ppg) and played a career high 24.8 minutes per game. Smith went 9 for 9 from the floor and scored 18 points at Hanover on Jan. 13. She also grabbed at least 10 rebounds in a game nine times.

Erin Schaufelberger – Bluffton University

High School: Van Wert

2024-25 stats: 11 games, 0.7 ppg, 0.9 reb

Schaufelberger, a 6-1 center, played 42 total minutes during her sophomore season. She scored in three games, including a four-point performance against Earlham on Jan. 15.

Addisyn Freeman – University of Findlay

High School: Elida

2024-25 stats: 30 games, 4.9 ppg, 5.5 reb

As a sophomore, Freeman, a 5-8 guard, made two starts and appeared in all 30 games for the Oilers. She scored a season-high 13 points against Saginaw Valley State on Nov. 9 and grabbed a season-high 12 rebounds against Kentucky Wesleyan on Feb. 15.

Ella Mescher – University of Findlay

High School: Minster

2024-25 stats: 27 games, 3.3 ppg

Mecher played 305 total minutes during her junior season, while also shooting a career-best 75% from the free throw line. She scored a season-high 10 points against Lake Superior State on Nov. 8 and pulled down a season-high six rebounds against Cedarville on Feb. 1. Mescher was also one of four Oilers to be named to the 2024-25 Academic All-District Women’s Basketball Team, selected by College Sports Communicators.

Janae Hoying – University of Findlay

High School: Minster

2024-25 stats: 30 games, 8.3 ppg, 2.2 ast

Hoying spent her senior season as a full-time starter for the Oilers, playing 24.2 minutes per game and leading the team in assists. She finished in double figures 10 times and scored a season-high 13 points on Nov. 2 against Minot State and matched that total against Indianapolis on Nov. 23. Hoying also joined her high school and college teammate, Ella Mescher, on the 2024-25 Academic All-District Women’s Basketball Team, selected by College Sports Communicators.

Allison Hughes – Edison State University

High School: Parkway

2024-25 stats: 30 games, 12.8 ppg, 12.6 reb

The rebounding machine Hughes became at Parkway High School has carried over to her two seasons at Edison State, where she averaged a double-double as a sophomore. The 6-2 center shot 57% from the field and earned OCCAC Player of the Week honors a handful of times after doing so five times as a freshman. On Jan. 18 against Lakeland College, Hughes shot 12 of 19, scored 28 points and collected 18 rebounds. She pulled down 21 rebounds in a game twice, on Dec. 12 against Oakland Community College and on Feb. 8 against Lakeland College.

Maisie Strawser – Edison State University

High School: Lima Senior

2024-25 stats: 26 games, 3.0 ppg, 1.7 reb

In her first season at Edison State, Strawser played exactly 300 minutes and scored a season high 11 points twice, on Nov. 15 against Lansing Community College and on Dec. 20 against Wayne County Community College.

Ania Pearson – Edison State University

High School: Shawnee

2024-25 stats: 30 games, 8.4 ppg, 9.4 reb

Pearson made 28 starts in her second season with the Chargers and played 808 total minutes. Pearson’s best performance of the season came on Jan. 11 against Lorain County Community College, where she scored 22 points and pulled down 13 rebounds.

Emma Will – Edison State University

High School: Delphos St. John’s

2024-25 stats: 29 games, 4.6 ppg, 1.9 reb

Will, a former Midwest Athletic Conference first teamer, got off to a slow start but earned a significant role on the team as the season went on. The 5-7 guard made nine 3-pointers and shot 61% from the free throw line. She scored a season-high 19 points on Jan. 11 against Lorain County Community College.

Jenna Dirksen – Edison State University

High School: Versailles

2024-25 stats: 30 games, 7.7 ppg, 3.6 reb, 3.0 ast

In her first season at Edison State, Dirksen posted solid shooting numbers of 35% from the field and 70% from the free-throw line. She made 28 starts and had her best game of the season on Dec. 12 against Oakland Community College when she scored 19 points.

Reach Chris Howell at 567-242-0468 or on X @Lima_Howell

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