08-04-2025
The four Ohioans competing in the Final Four
There aren't any Ohio schools to root for in the Final Four this weekend, but you can still cheer for a few Ohioans.
Fun fact: Senior Sakima Walker, who grew up in Columbus, plays for South Carolina, the team that won it all last year.
She graduated from Africentric Early College, a local girls basketball powerhouse.
Walker helped lead the Nubians to back-to-back state championships in 2018 and 2019. The Ohio High School Basketball Coaches Association named her the player of the year for Division III in 2020, a season cut short by COVID-19.
Zoom in: Walker doesn't get a lot of play time on the stacked South Carolina roster but is a "self-proclaimed team mom" and doesn't mind her role, reports.
"I just stay ready when my name is called, help my teammates, encourage my teammates, and bring good energy," she said.
The other Ohioans: One of those teammates, senior Bree Hall, is from Dayton.
South Carolina faces Texas, which also has two Buckeye State natives: Kyla Oldacre (of Mason) and Laila Phelia (of Cincinnati).
How to watch: Tonight's game starts at 7pm (ESPN).
