Alexander takes home third Ohio Ms. Basketball award

Dee Alexander's high school basketball career is full of superlatives. She is a five-star recruit, owns a host of school records, and is the first player in Purcell Marian's history to be named a McDonald's All-American. Her coach, Jamar Mosley, calls her a generational talent. As her historic career comes to a close, she can add one more bullet point to her esteemed resumé. She is the eighth player from Cincinnati to be named Ms. Ohio Basketball, the third to win the award multiple times, and now just the second girl in history to be voted the best player in Ohio in three consecutive years. "It's something very special to me, just the simple fact that nobody else besides one other person has done it in Ohio," Alexander said. Kierstan Bell, the only other three-time winner, is one of 10 former winners to go on to play in the WNBA. Alexander wants to become the 11th. Purcell Marian has been one of the best teams in the state over the last four years. Even with their eye-popping margins of victory and dominant runs to state titles, the Cavaliers never take the wins for granted. "From the jump, coach Jamar has always told us to take one game at a time. We take one practice at a time and we always have the same motto: 'Do what we do.' Don't ever change up anything for who we're playing or where we're playing," Alexander said. What does Purcell Marian do? The simple answer is win, to the tune of a 105-10 record during Alexander's career. The Cavaliers' key to winning is getting better every time they step on the court, whether it's a light shootaround the day after a game or an all-out practice in the middle of the season. Alexander is the ultimate competitor, but you wouldn't know it outside the lines. Even in practice, she has an extremely casual demeanor. When she was named the first McDonald's All-American in school history, she reacted with a beaming smile as her teammates lauded her. It's the same way she's received every accolade that's come her way, even her third straight Ms. Basketball honor. Don't get it wrong; Alexander is grateful for all the recognition. But she has also been laser focused on completing the mission of winning four consecutive state championships. "Her unselfishness and her willingness to put the team before anything has just been incredible. It just carries throughout the entire program," Mosley said. Alexander has always been surrounded by talent at Purcell Marian. Two of last year's seniors, Seini Henry and Jayda Mosley, are now freshmen at Ohio State and Central Michigan. Current senior Ky'Aira Miller is signed to play at Bowling Green. Sophomore center Samaya Wilkins has a handful of high-major college offers. Her influence extends beyond the gym on Hackberry Street. She and Mount Notre Dame's K.K. Bransford are the reason the Ms. Basketball award has resided in Cincinnati since 2021. It could stay in Southwest Ohio a little while longer. Mosley has already started talking about Wilkins as a Ms. Basketball candidate. Then there is Winton Woods freshman Strawberry Blankumsee, West Clermont junior Layla Hale and Princeton freshman Erin Thomas. Seeing hometown players perform at a high level has shown them what's possible. "Dee is one of those kids that I would call an outlier. She just came in at the right time when girls basketball started really getting hot. No one really had an emphasis or a focus on girls basketball like they have the last four years," Mosley said Alexander's commitment to Katrina Merriweather and the University of Cincinnati on April 17, 2024, opened the floodgates for the Bearcats' highest-rated recruiting class in program history. Kali Barrett, the all-time leading scorer at Cardinal Mooney in Bradenton, Florida, joined her on July 7. Caliyah Devillasee, a 1,000-point scorer from Maryland, became a Bearcat on Sept. 1. "I'm just excited to be able to build something, even though it is on the rise, and to continue what's going on there," Alexander said. Shortly after announcing her commitment in front of the Oscar Robertson statue outside Fifth Third Arena, she posted a behind-the-scenes video on her Instagram account. It started with her younger brothers, Darrien and Dorrien, taking turns expressing how much she means to them. "Dear Dee, you are my hero," they began. "As you continue to reach new levels in your basketball career, just remember: we'll always be your biggest fans no matter where you go... I couldn't be happier to call you my sister and I can't wait to see you stay home and play for not just the city, but our city." Family is the reason she started playing basketball. She saw her older brother, Darren, play when they were younger and always tried to emulate him. Her mom signed her up for a youth league and the rest, as they say, is history. "They are one of the most important things ever. Having them by my side, knowing that they're going to hold me to high standards and want the best for me no matter what. It's like, why let them down? It's always been my family over everything," Alexander said. Alexander has a deep loyalty to those around her. The six seniors at Purcell Marian came in as freshmen with the shared dream of winning four state titles and have stuck together through it all. The Cavaliers had success prior to their arrival, winning at least 18 games from 2017 to 2021, but they have taken it to another level. "Dee said that she wanted to be at Purcell Marian, but then you had other people telling her, 'If you go to Purcell Marian, you're not going to do this, not going to do that.' She's a prime example of living your own legacy and she did that and is going to forever be in Ohio's record books," Mosley said. When Alexander first arrived at Purcell Marian, she was welcomed with open arms. She now does the same for everyone she meets. When she was named Ms. Basketball at the end of the 2023-2024 season, Mosley said her talent certainly sets her apart, but her desire to make everyone around her better is what truly makes her special. It's why she committed to Cincinnati and believes in what Merriweather is building. Winning seasons at UC have come in waves; Alexander feels a responsibility to lead the next turnaround and set the Bearcats up for prolonged success. "Being born here, it's like, why not put on for where you've been from?", Alexander said. What Mosley will miss most is the example she sets for others. He has seen it firsthand in more ways than one. At practice, his son Lorenzo will give her hugs and high-fives, and rebound for her during shooting drills. "My son looks up to Dee. We ask him, 'Who's your favorite basketball player?' 'Dee.' 'Who's your favorite boy basketball player?' 'LeBron James, but I like Dee better.'" Mosley said. Alexander's legacy is much more than banners in the rafters. Seeing her journey has served as an inspiration to others; knowing her is one of the greatest gifts anyone could receive. Past Ohio Ms. Basketball Ohio winners 2025 – Dee Alexander, Cincinnati Purcell Marian, senior 2024 – Dee Alexander, Cincinnati Purcell Marian, junior 2023 – Dee Alexander, Cincinnati Purcell Marian, sophomore 2022 – KK Bransford, Cincinnati Mount Notre Dame, senior 2021 – KK Bransford, Cincinnati Mount Notre Dame, junior 2020 – Madeline Westbeld, Kettering Fairmont, senior 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