Vote now: What was the best OHSAA championship team in girls sports covered by SBLive Ohio in 2021-22?

In the 2021-22 high school girls sports season, SBLive covered the state championships in basketball and softball.

In all, there were eight state championship teams covered by SBLive over those two seasons.

Now is your chance to vote on which of the eight teams that won the championships in those two sports was the best, as we have outlined each of the championship teams below (listed in chronological order).

Read through the nominees and cast your vote. Voting will conclude Monday at 11:59 p.m.

Reynoldsburg basketball

Reynoldsburg made its first trip to the state championship game and made it a memorable one with a 63-56 win over Mason in overtime to take home the Division I state crown.

Imarianah Russell took over the game in overtime for the Raiders, scoring eight of her game-high 28 points in the extra session.

Reynoldsburg finished the season 25-2 and were led by Russell and Mya Perry, who were both named first-team All-Ohio.

“I just wanted to make sure I didn’t let my team down,” Russell said. “When that four minutes hit (in overtime), it was all or nothing.”

Kettering Archbishop Alter basketball

Kettering Alter took home its fifth state title in program history with a 54-38 win over Thornville Sheridan in the Division II state championship game.

The Knights lost just one time on the season, a 60-59 loss to Archbishop Hoban, who was one of the top teams in the state in Division I all year.

Alter was led by Riley Smith, who scored 13 points in the championship game and was named third-team All-Ohio.

“All my friends were in the student section — all my cousins and aunts and uncles were here,” (senior Caraline) Kernan said. “I have been dreaming of this all four years. For me to take a breath and seeing it all, it was just an unbelievable feeling.”

Cincinnati Purcell Marian basketball

Purcell Marian took home its first state title with a 62-38 win over Worthington Christian in the Division III state championship game.

Freshman Dee Alexander, who was named the Player of the Year in Division III, led the Cavs with 25 points, 13 rebounds and five steals in the championship game.

Purcell Marian finished 26-1 and won 22 games in a row to close out the season. They won every game in the postseason by at least 16 points.

“In the summer with the girls, they just came together and just played so well with one another,” Jamar Mosley said. “Once we got into full mode and practices, I felt like it was a true possibility for us to win a state championship.”

Waterford basketball

In the Division IV state championship game, Waterford held New Knoxville scoreless in the first quarter and went on a 14-6 run to close out the game in a 35-26 victory to take home the title.

Waterford finished the season 27-3 and held 11 of its last 12 opponents to under 40 points.

The Wildcats were led on the season by Cara Taylor, who was named All-Ohio second team and Mackenzie Suprano, who earned third-team All-Ohio honors.

“Once we started hitting our shots, we got a few fast breaks down the court,” senior guard Cara Taylor said. “You could feel the momentum go to us, to our crowd and on the bench.”

Lakota West softball

Lakota West cruised through the state tournament, outscoring its two opponents 22-7 to capture the Division I state championship.

The Firebirds defeated North Canton Hoover 13-5 in the state semifinals and finished the season off with a 9-2 win over Springfield Holland.

Led by SBLive Ohio Player of the Year KK Mathis, Lakota West went 28-4 on the season. Mathis and Belle Hummell both earned first-team All-Ohio nods and Molly Grace was named to the second team.

“We are really happy we got to play one more game and end up being happy towards the end and getting the win,” (catcher Kendall) Forren said. “It’s really sad because this is my last time playing with all of these people.”

Triway softball

Triway broke a 1-1 tie in the bottom of the fifth inning of the state championship game to take home a 2-1 win over Jonathan Alder to win the Division II state title.

Hanna Massaro led off with a hit and then scored what turned into the game-winning run on a single by Emily Yacapraro.

That was all SBLive Ohio Pitcher of the Year Carter Wachtel needed, as she shut down the Alder offense from there. In the state tournament, she went 2-0 and struck out 25 hitters in 14 innings while allowing just four hits and gave up only one run, which was unearned.

The Titans finished the season 30-1 and were led by a pair of All-Ohio first-team selections in Wachtel and Hailey Massaro.

“This is the happiest day of my entire life,” Hailey Massaro said. “This is what we worked so hard for.”

Wheelersburg softball

Wheelersburg finished off a near-perfect season with a 5-2 win over Tuslaw in the Division III state championship game.

Leading the championship game 4-2, the Pirates went to freshman pitcher Kaylynn Carter to get the final six outs and she delivered. Macee Eaton added a homer to straightaway center to give Wheelersburg its fifth run of the game.

Wheelersburg finished the season 27-1 and were led by Eaton, who was named first-team All-Ohio.

“I have been really preparing myself to be ready for today,” Carter said. “Even if I wasn’t going to go in, I knew I was going to give myself the best shot if I was going to go in.”

Strasburg-Franklin softball

Strasburg captured its eighth softball state title with a 3-2 win over Lincolnview in the Division IV state championship game.

The championship came down to the final play. With Strasburg leading 3-1 and Lancers on second and third, Ashlyn Price hit a single to center that was fielded by Maggie Richards. One runner scored and Richards came up firing in an attempt to cut down the trail runner at the plate. Catcher Sydney Sibila caught the ball, turned around and tagged the runner out to clinch the state championship.

The Tigers finished the season 27-4 and were led by first-team All-Ohio selection Emma Gilkerson and second-team selection Amelia Spidell.

“I wanted to stop the ball first and then make the tag,” Sibila said. “Sometimes I get a little ahead of myself and I try to make the tag first so I just wanted to catch the ball.”