Columbia's Allyson Ross named 2021 Lorain County Miss Basketball

LORAIN — Allyson Ross knows her individual statistics maybe weren't as good as previous seasons, but the bar is so high for the Columbia senior it's hard to imagine anything less than the standout performances she's displayed her entire high school career. What mattered most, however, was her team's success and helping a freshmen-heavy group navigate the challenges of a pandemic-shortened season. Ross did all of that and more, leading the Raiders to a tie for second place with Clearview in the Lorain County League after finishing fourth last season, and still put up eye-catching numbers good enough to be named Lorain County Miss Basketball in a ceremony at Lakeview Park on Wednesday. "I know that my statistics weren't as good this year but our team was 10 times better than we were," Ross said. "There is a ton of girls who were big contenders for this award. To be able to play against some of those other amazing players and come out on top is just a huge honor. "I'm more excited than anything and I'm actually really blessed that I even had the opportunity to be nominated for this award." Ross, a Winthrop University commit, averaged 14.8 points, 6.7 rebounds, 4.9 assists and 3.4 steals this season while also scoring her 1,000th point and being nominated to the McDonald's All-America Game. She holds school records for steals in a game (13), assists in a game (11), most steals in a season (109) and is sixth on Columbia's all-time scoring list. Not bad for a player who considered herself to have a down year in 2021. But there's one stat in particular Columbia coach Corey Taylor points to when asked about the impact Ross had on the team this season. "She over four years has been the heart and soul of our offensive and defensive side of the ball. What people don't really talk about, you see all the scoring, you see her ability to get to the basket, but it's really the rebounding," Taylor said. "She's averaging five or six rebounds for her career … and most of the time she's one of the smallest girls out on the floor, and that just tells you about her heart. "It's something I've really grown to love about her and something that's not going to be easy to replace, if at all." At one point, the Raiders were forced to quarantine much like many teams in Lorain County and beyond, but it was then that Ross' leadership was truly displayed. "After that we started practicing even harder, working even harder because we didn't know if we were even gonna have a season," she said. "That's another reason we were very successful this year is because there was a lot of doubt going into the season. There wasn't one second we weren't working hard, which is why it mattered so much to us." "We went into quarantine one time playing our best basketball and for us to just not shutdown, it's so easy (after) not getting in the gym for two weeks to shut down," Taylor added. "(Ross) did a great job of keeping them on track and making sure (the underclassmen) developed the way they did." Ross now heads to Division I Winthrop to continue her basketball career and leaves Taylor and his staff wondering how you replace a Miss Basketball who's contributed as much as Ross has to the program. "For her to be able to stand out with all the talent in Lorain County is amazing," he said. "She's just an overall great talent. We've got a big void to fill now." Earning a Miss Basketball special mention was Lorain County League scoring leader Brooke Rebman, of Clearview. Contact Marissa McNees at mmcnees@chroniclet.com or @MarissaNM on Twitter. 2021: Allyson Ross, Columbia 2020: Ally Winnen, Elyria Catholic 2019: Kamryn Dziak, Amherst 2018: Isabella Geraci, North Ridgeville 2017: McKenah Peters, Keystone; Sydney Roule, Amherst 2016: Riley Schill, Elyria Catholic 2015: Brooke Wallace, Amherst 2014: Casey Morrissette, Firelands 2013: Aubree LaForce, Vermilion 2012: Emily Julius, Avon 2011: Shanique Ogle, Lorain 2010: Emily Nagle, Columbia 2009: Tai Dotson, Elyria 2008: Honesty King, Elyria 2007: Ali Stack, Firelands 2006: Audra Mihalic, Amherst 2005: Kate Verhoff, Elyria 2004: Holly Earl, Clearview 2003: Christina Jackson, Southview 2002: Lisa Verhoff, Elyria 2001: Netra Williams, Admiral King 2000: Jessy Verhoff, Elyria 1999: Holly Koepp, Lorain Catholic; Layla Willis, Clearview 1998: Monica Ross, Midview 1997: Tyshekwa Madison, Elyria; Rebecca Sandor, Avon Lake 1995: Megan Chawanski, Avon Lake 1994: Stacy Fifer, Avon Lake 1993: Beth Becker, Firelands 1992: Sherri Horvath, Amherst 1991: Kyle Lathwell, Lorain 1990: Renee Aggers, Vermilion 1989: Monica Taylor, Elyria 1988: Ann Forbes, Elyria West; Chris Nagy, Lorain 1987: Anita Godlewski, Lorain Catholic 1986: Ann Gilbert, Elyria 1985: Amy Welch, Elyria West