COLUMBUS – Canton McKinley High School senior Kierstan Bell has joined LeBron James as the only three-time winners of Ohio’s top high school basketball award.
In doing so, Bell became the first three-time recipient of the Ohio Ms. Basketball award.
Bell was chosen by a statewide media panel from the Ohio Prep Sportswriters Association. The selection was announced Thursday. James was Ohio’s Mr. Basketball from 2001-03 while at Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary.
Bell led McKinley to a 25-2 record this season and the regional championship game by averaging 27.0 points, 7.9 rebounds, 4.4 blocks, 3.8 steals and 3.0 assists.
She finished her career with 2,833 points, passing Ohio legends Katie Smith and Semeka Randall on the state’s career scoring list in recent weeks.
Bell’s point total is fourth in OHSAA history. Canton McKinley went 93-14 with three district titles and one regional title during her career. Bell will attend Ohio State next season as a Buckeye recruit.
Other finalists for the Ms. Basketball Award included Constance Chaplin from Euclid, Jacy Sheldon from Dublin Coffman, Jordan Horston from Columbus Africentric, Sammie Puisis from Mason, Lauren Flannery from Hannibal River, Peyton Scott from Lynchburg Clay and Zia Cooke, Toledo Rogers.
Past Ohio Ms. Basketball Ohio winners
2019 – Kierstan Bell, Canton McKinley, senior
2018 – Kierstan Bell, Canton McKinley, junior
2017 – Kierstan Bell, Canton McKinley, sophomore
2016 – Jensen Caretti, Hannibal River, senior
2015 – Hallie Thome, Chagrin Falls, senior
2014 – Kelsey Mitchell, Cin. Princeton, senior
2013 – Ashley Morrissette, Twinsburg, senior
2012 – Ameryst Alston, Canton McKinley, senior
2011 – Ameryst Alston, Canton McKinley, junior
2010 – Natasha Howard, Tol. Waite, senior
2009 – Kendall Hackney, Cin. Mount Notre Dame, senior
2008 – Amber Gray, West Chester Lakota West, senior
2007 – Jantel Lavender, Cleveland Central Catholic, senior
2006 – Tyra Grant, Youngstown Ursuline, senior
2005 – Maria Getty, Dayton Chaminade-Julienne, senior
2004 – Mel Thomas, Cincinnati Mount Notre Dame, senior
2003 – Brittany Hunter, Columbus Brookhaven, senior
2002 – Barbara Turner, Cleveland East Tech, senior
2001 – Michelle Munoz, Mason, senior
2000 – Michelle Munoz, Mason, junior
1999 – (TIE) Kaayla Chones, Eastlake North, senior; LaToya Turner, Pickerington, senior
1998 – Tamika Williams, Dayton Chaminade-Julienne, senior
1997 – Semeka Randall, Garfield Hts. Trinity, senior
1996 – Semeka Randall, Garfield Hts. Trinity, junior
1995 – Beth Ostendorf, Pickerington, senior
1994 – Na’Sheema Hillmon, Garfield Hts. Trinity, senior
1993 – Marlene Stollings, Beaver Eastern, senior
1992 – Katie Smith, Logan, senior
1991 – Vonda Ward, Garfield Hts. Trinity, senior
1990 – Vonda Ward, Garfield Hts. Trinity, junior
1989 – Carol Madsen, Reading, senior
1988 – Janet Haneberg, Cincinnati Seton, senior
Notable
Three-time winner: Kierstan Bell, Canton McKinley (2017, 2018, 2019).
Won as junior (5): Vonda Ward, Garfield Heights. Trinity (1990, 1991); Semeka Randall, Garfield Heights Trinity (1996, 1997); Michelle Munoz, Mason (2000, 2001), Ameryst Alston, Canton McKinley (2011, 2012), Kierstan Bell, Canton McKinley (2017, 2018, 2019).
Won as sophomore (1): Kierstan Bell, Canton McKinley (2017).
Co-winners (1): 1999 – Kaayla Chones, Eastlake North and LaToya Turner, Pickerington.
