Contributed

McDonald’s of Greater Ohio and Purcell Marian High School hosted a special jersey presentation ceremony honoring Darianna “Dee” Alexander, who was recently named a 2025 McDonald’s All American.    Before she embarks on her college career as a Cincinnati Bearcat, Alexander was celebrated alongside her teammates and coaches during the jersey presentation on March 4 at Purcell Marian High School, at 2935 Hackberry Street, Cincinnati. The ceremony was during a school-wide assembly in the gymnasium.

Alexander, the No. 8 ranked girls’ basketball player in the nation according to ESPN and the first Purcell Marian Cavalier to earn this honor, will compete alongside the country’s top high school basketball players in the 2025 McDonald’s All American Games on April 1 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

Being named a McDonald’s All American adds to a growing list of accolades for Alexander. Her high school career includes back-to-back Ohio Ms. Basketball awards as a sophomore and junior, along with being named the 2024 Ohio Gatorade Player of the Year. She has led Purcell Marian to three OHSAA State Championships and was named to the 2025 Naismith Girls High School Player of the Year Midseason Team. Alexander will also represent the U.S. in the USA Basketball Nike Hoop Summit in April in Portland, Oregon.

The ceremony also featured remarks from McDonald’s Owner/Operator Brian Kilroy, who owns several restaurants in the greater Cincinnati area.

For nearly five decades, the McDonald’s All American Games have been a premier platform for some of basketball’s most elite players. The final group of 24 girls and 24 boys are selected by top analysts, prep scouts, media, and coaches from hundreds of high school athletes. Get in the Game,

The Main Event: Tickets to the 2025 McDonald’s All American Games at Barclays Center on Tuesday, April 1, are now available through ticketmaster.com or by visiting mcdaag.com.

Tune In: Fans can tune in on ESPN and ESPN2. The Sprite Jam Fest will air Monday, March 31 at 7:15 p.m. ET on ESPN2. The 2025 McDonald’s All American Games will start with the Girls Game on Tuesday, April 1 at 6:30 p.m. 

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By Spencer Wheelock, wheelock@seyferthpr.com

The McDonald’s All American Games is headed to the basketball mecca of Brooklyn for the first time ever, descending on Barclays Center for a showdown featuring basketball’s future all-stars. McDonald’s announced the final rosters for the game, which includes Purcell Marian High School standout and University of Cincinnati commitment Darianna Alexander who will represent the Girls West Team in this year’s game. University of Cincinnati commit Shon Abaev of Calvary Christian Academy in Florida will join the Boys East Team.

For almost five decades, the McDonald’s All American Games have been a red thread connecting some of the game’s most elite players. The Selection Committee has revealed the next group of 48 athletes to hold the most prestigious honor in high school basketball.

The final group of 24 girls and 24 boys were hand selected by a collection of the game’s top analysts, prep scouts, media and coaches, from hundreds of potential high school players. This next generation of players represent communities from across the nation, each looking to make their own unique mark on the Games’ rich history, continuing a 48-year legacy of impact both on and off the court.

Community has remained a key fixture in the Games’ mission since its founding and this year is no different.       At the 2025 Games, McDonald’s is taking its commitment to community a step further with new and continued investments in neighborhood networks and local organizations, such as Ronald McDonald House. The Games will once again benefit RMHC through its network of local Chapters. There many ways to be part of the action:

Pre-Games Warm-Up: The Sprite Jam Fest, featuring a 3-Point Contest, dunk competition and a knockout game, will be held on Monday, March 31. Ticket information will be provided at a later date.

The Main Event: Tickets to the 2025 McDonald’s All American Games at Barclays Center on Tuesday, April 1 are now available through ticketmaster.com or by visiting mcdaag.com.

Tune In: Fans can tune in on ESPN and ESPN2. The Sprite Jam Fest will air Monday, March 31 at 7:15 p.m. ET on ESPN2. The 2025 McDonald’s All American Games will start with the Girls Game on Tuesday, April 1 at 6:30 p.m. ET on ESPN2 and the Boys Game will immediately follow on ESPN at 9:00 p.m. ET.

The post Purcell Marian’s Darianna Alexander to play in McDonald’s All American Games appeared first on The Cincinnati Herald .

By: Mike Dyer

CINCINNATI — Purcell Marian High School 2025 wing Dee Alexander is staying home! The five-star player, ranked No. 6 nationally in the 2025 class by ESPN, picked the University of Cincinnati over Ohio State and Illinois on Wednesday.

Alexander, the two-time Ohio Ms. Basketball recipient, led Purcell Marian (29-1) to a third consecutive state title in March. Purcell Marian is No. 15 nationally in the season’s final MaxPreps Top 25 rankings.

She had one of the most accomplished seasons in Ohio high school girls basketball history this past winter.

Alexander was named Tuesday afternoon to the MaxPreps Junior All-America Team. Last week, she was named to the MaxPreps All-America Second Team. She was also the Gatorade Ohio high school player of the year and the Ohio MaxPreps player of the year.

Scoring 1,896 points in her high school career, Alexander had been considering 15 programs publicly since announcing the finalists on Instagram in November 2023.

Those scholarship offers include the University of Connecticut, South Carolina, Iowa, Louisiana State (LSU), Ohio State, University of Southern California, Texas, Notre Dame, Illinois, Georgia, Virginia Tech and others.

Alexander became the Ohio High School Athletic Association’s all-time girls basketball state tournament scoring leader during the first half of this year’s state final. She scored 134 career points in the state tournament from 2022 to 2024 — with all those games at UD Arena.

Purcell Marian has an 83-4 record for the past three seasons.

The NCAA’s early signing period for basketball starts Nov. 13, 2024.

Reposted with permission from WCPO 9 Cincinnati.

The post Dee Alexander commits to University of Cincinnati appeared first on The Cincinnati Herald .

By: Mike Dyer | WCPO 9

DAYTON, Ohio — Purcell Marian High School has its three-peat.

The Cavaliers defeated Shaker Heights Laurel School 79-52 Saturday night in the Division II girls basketball state final at University of Dayton Arena. It is the third consecutive state championship for Purcell Marian (29-1).

“I just got done telling people I got to let this one sink in,” Purcell Marian coach Jamar Mosley said. “Well, I got to let all three of them sink in. I look ahead too much. What can we do better next year? That was my mindset in the past. I got to let these three sink in.”

Purcell Marian, winners of 27 consecutive games, is the sixth girls basketball team in state history to win three consecutive state titles.

Purcell Marian won the 2023 Division II state title, 2022 Division III state title and was a 2021 Division III state semifinalist.

Only three Ohio high school girls basketball programs have won four consecutive state titles or more including Mount Notre Dame (2006-09).

Purcell Marian junior wing Dee Alexander, a two-time Ohio Ms. Basketball recipient, is already thinking about next year.

“Our job is not completed yet,” said Alexander. “Once we get a state title next year my job will be completed in high school.”

Alexander scored 18 points and had six rebounds. She became the Ohio High School Athletic Association’s all-time girls basketball state tournament scoring leader Saturday night. She has scored 134 career points in the state tournament from 2022-2024.

“It means a lot because I’m just now finding this out so it’s something very special to me,” Alexander said.

Junior Ky’Aira Miller scored 18 points and had five rebounds and three assists. Freshman center Samaya Wilkins scored 17 points and had 13 rebounds.

It’s been a significant week for Purcell Marian, which is a reigning two-time state champion and ranked No. 15 nationally by MaxPreps. Alexander was named Ohio Ms. Basketball for a second straight season Wednesday. Alexander won the Gatorade Ohio player of the year award on Thursday morning.

Purcell Marian joined some very elite company in girls basketball state history this weekend.

Purcell Marian is the 16th team in state history with four consecutive trips to a state Final Four. Entering this year’s state tournament, 20 schools had won at least three girls basketball state titles overall.

Purcell Marian dominated Copley Friday in a state semifinal. It never trailed on Saturday. After two early ties, the Cavaliers led 20-10 at the end of the first quarter and 38-20 at halftime.

The outcome was never in doubt.

Purcell Marian went ahead 60-35 at the end of the third quarter. The Cavaliers won 23 consecutive games by double digits. The most recent game Purcell Marian won by single digits was a 56-51 win at Cooper Dec. 12.

Laurel School was led by sophomore Saniyah Hall who scored 21 points and had 14 rebounds. Laurel School completed its season with a 19-11 record.

Reposted with permission from WCPO 9 Cincinnati.

The post Purcell Marian girls basketball team wins third consecutive state title appeared first on The Cincinnati Herald .

Contributed

2024 is officially here and we’re feeling it!

However, before we focus on the new year, let’s take a look back at some of the most significant stories of 2023.

News stories and events that shaped in Cincinnati in 2023

2023 Political Achievements in Cincinnati

Sports highlights from local Cincinnati schools

Local Cincinnati businesses growing and succeeding

Cincinnati community members achieving greatness

What are your thoughts? What are some other stories that you think helped shaped Cincinnati in 2023?

The post Cincinnati’s 2023 achievements: Historic markers to black leadership honors appeared first on The Cincinnati Herald .

2023 Ohio Ms. Basketball recipient to compete with U.S. team in Mexico this month

By: Mike Dyer

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — Purcell Marian High School 2025 wing Dee Alexander was selected Sunday morning to USA Basketball’s U16 Women’s National Team.

Alexander, named the 2023 Ohio Ms. Basketball recipient this past season, participated in the team trials starting last week in Colorado Springs.

“It’s a great achievement and a testament to her hard work and talent,” Purcell Marian girls basketball coach Jamar Mosley said. “It’s also a proud moment for our program to have one of our players represent the country at such a high level. We’re excited to follow her progress and see her compete in Mexico. Great news for her!”

Alexander, the MaxPreps Ohio player of the player, was named one of 14 finalists for the team earlier this week.

The U.S. women’s U16 team is scheduled to participate in the 2023 FIBA U16 Americas Championships June 13-19 in Merida, Mexico against Puerto Rico, Mexico and Colombia.

“We are incredibly happy for, proud of, and excited for Dee as she competes at the highest level this month with USA Basketball,” said She-Hoops Ohio’s Bryce McKey. “We know Dee will play a vital role in USA bringing back the gold!”

The U16 team, which has a 34-1 competition record, is seeking its fourth consecutive gold medal, according to USA Basketball. The team has won gold in six of the past seven times in the event.

Alexander led Purcell Marian to its second straight state title this past March. The Cavaliers defeated Canal Fulton Northwest 57-48 to win the Division II state final at University of Dayton Arena.

Ranked the nation’s No. 5 player in the 2025 class by ESPN, Alexander averaged 25.9 points, 9.6 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 2.6 steals this past season. She has scored 1,361 points in her high school basketball career and is just the second sophomore in Ohio girls basketball history to capture Ohio Ms. Basketball honors.

Alexander, who has at least 40 college scholarship offers, was named May 28 as one of 22 finalists for the U16 national team following three days of trials in Colorado. There were 52 trials invitees overall vying for 12 spots on the team.

The roster was selected by the USA Basketball Women’s Developmental National Team Committee and represent the graduating classes of 2025, 2026, 2027 and 2028. Athletes eligible for this team must be U.S. citizens, born on or after January 1, 2007.

Reposted with permission from WCPO 9 Cincinnati.

The post Dee Alexander selected to USA Basketball’s U16 National Team appeared first on The Cincinnati Herald .

This is the latest episode of the Chocolate News Podcast. We bring you news that discusses issues affecting the Black community.

On today’s show we will be discussing the winners at 95th Academy Awards, two local Cincinnati high school basketball teams winning state, the start of March Madness 2023, and more.

This week’s episode is hosted by John Alexander Reese (Digital Editor, The Cincinnati Herald) and Andria Carter (Digital Correspondent, The Cincinnati Herald)

Originally recorded on Wednesday, March 15, 2023.

The post Oscars Winners 2023 and March Madness appeared first on The Cincinnati Herald .

This is the latest episode of the Chocolate News Podcast. We bring you news that discusses issues affecting the Black community.

On today’s show we will be discussing Purcell Marian Girls basketball team reaching state, the first Black female puppeteer on Sesame Street, and the 2023 Oscars race.

This week’s special guest is film critic tt-stern enzi.

This week’s episode is hosted by John Alexander Reese (Digital Editor, The Cincinnati Herald).

Originally recorded on Wednesday, March 8, 2023.

The post The Oscars 2023: Final predictions with tt-stern enzi appeared first on The Cincinnati Herald .

By Michael Mitchell

The Cincinnati Herald

Hamilton Commissioners honored two of Ohio’s best on March 16 at the Todd Portune Building in downtown Cincinnati. The Purcell Marian Girls Basketball Team and the Princeton Vikings Girls Basketball Team both brought home state titles.

The Princeton Vikings won OHSAA Division 1 game against Olmsted Falls 69-51 and the Purcell Marian Cavaliers won their OHSAA Division II game against Badin Rams, 64-54, led by Ms. Ohio Basketball, Sophomore Darriana (Dee) Alexander with 20 points and 10 rebounds.

Purcell Marian’s coach Jamar Mosley and Dee Davis and honored with their own day in Hamilton County, March 16th for Mosley, and March 19th for Davis.

The post Girls State basketball champs honored by county officials appeared first on The Cincinnati Herald .

By: Mike Dyer

DAYTON, Ohio — The Purcell Marian High School girls basketball team had March 11 in mind this entire winter as the day it could repeat as state champions.

The Cavaliers fulfilled that mission early Saturday afternoon with a 57-48 win over Canal Fulton Northwest in the Division II state final.

Just like the state semifinal, there were times when it wasn’t easy. But, the Cavaliers persevered to prove it had the top D-II team with the state’s top player overall.

Sophomore Dee Alexander — Ohio’s Ms. Basketball — scored 20 points and had 10 rebounds and three steals as Purcell Marian (27-2) captured its second straight state title in front of 2,941 fans at University of Dayton Arena.

“Our expectation was the same,” Alexander said. “Everything was the same as last year. We just had to do what we know how to do and just block out everybody who is an outsider.”

Alexander scored 10 of her game-high 20 points in the fourth quarter. That included two steals at half-court for layups in the first 2:20 of the quarter that helped give the Cavaliers a 6-2 run and an 11-point lead.

Purcell Marian led 21-15 at halftime but the Cavaliers weren’t satisfied with the first 16 minutes.

“At halftime there I was just talking to Dee Alexander, telling her, ‘We need you to step up’,” Mosley said. “What she did in that second half, she did an amazing job not only on the offensive but the defensive end as well.”

Sophomore Ky’Aira Miller added 17 points — including 13 of 14 free throws — to help Purcell Marian to its 17 consecutive win. Junior Jayda Mosley added eight points including two 3-pointers. Sophomore Trinity Small had two 3-pointers and freshman McKenzie Jones had six points and had eight rebounds.

Jayda Mosley’s second 3-pointer of the third quarter gave Purcell Marian a nine-point advantage (29-20). Small’s two 3-pointers gave the Cavaliers a seven-point lead each time in the quarter.

“Everybody in the country knows who Dee Alexander is,” coach Jamar Mosley said. “But, young ladies like Trinity Small, Ky’Aira Miller, Jayda Mosley — they make Dee’s job a lot easier.”

Saturday’s state final completed a back-to-back state championship journey after the Cavaliers won the 2022 Division III state title, its first title in program history.

“It’s a surreal feeling,” Jamar Mosley said. “I’m still trying to process it. The girls deserve it all.”

Purcell Marian didn’t talk about winning a championship on a daily basis. The Cavaliers simply knew they wanted to improve to reach March 11.

“I think throughout the entire year each one of them got better in different ways on and off the floor,” Jamar Mosley said. “That’s why I say I’m honored to be able to coach a great group of student-athletes with a GPA of 3.6 throughout the entire year.”

Purcell Marian plans to have a school celebration for the state championship this upcoming week with details to be announced later.

Purcell Marian is one of two Greater Cincinnati girls basketball teams in the state final Saturday at UD Arena. Princeton (27-2) plays Olmsted Falls (24-3) in the Division I state final at 8:30 p.m.

Reposted with permission from WCPO 9 Cincinnati

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