March Madness: 4 area high school grads playing in women’s NCAA tourney

Here is a closer look at them:

Bree Hall, Wayne High School — South Carolina

A 6-foot sophomore guard, Hall averages 4.8 points and 1.6 rebounds in 14.0 minutes per game for the loaded Gamecocks, who won it all last season and could do so again this year.

South Carolina begins its national title defense Saturday at home against No. 16 Norfolk State.

Jordan Hobbs, Springboro High School — Michigan

A 6-3 sophomore guard, Hobbs played in 28 games and started the last nine for the Wolverines, who are a No. 6 seed and open the tournament against UNLV on Friday. She averages 5.3 points and 2.0 rebounds per game.

Credit: Paul Vernon

Credit: Paul Vernon

Cotie McMahon, Centerville High School — Ohio State

The Big Ten Freshman of the Year, McMahon is a 6-foot guard who started every game for the third-seeded Buckeyes, who play host to No. 14 James Madison on Saturday in Columbus. McMahon is second on the team with 14.7 points per game and shooting 51.5 percent from the floor.

Maddy Westbeld, Fairmont High School — Notre Dame

A 6-3 junior forward, Ohio’s Ms. Basketball in 2020 has started all 30 games for the third-seeded Fighting Irish, who face No. 14 Southern Utah on Saturday in the first round. She is third on the team with 11.0 points per game. She is shooting 44.6 percent from the floor, snagging 6.5 rebounds per game and has pitched in 69 assists, 35 blocks and 38 steals.