March Madness: Area players set to be part of the NCAA men’s, women’s tournaments

Oral Roberts' Carlos Jürgens (11) shoots over Ohio State's Justin Ahrens (10) during the first half of a First Round game in the NCAA men's college basketball tournament, Friday, March 19, 2021, at Mackey Arena in West Lafayette, Ind. (AP Photo/Robert Franklin)

Credit: Robert Franklin

Credit: Robert Franklin

Oral Roberts' Carlos Jürgens (11) shoots over Ohio State's Justin Ahrens (10) during the first half of a First Round game in the NCAA men's college basketball tournament, Friday, March 19, 2021, at Mackey Arena in West Lafayette, Ind. (AP Photo/Robert Franklin)

The best month of the year for college basketball fans is well underway, and area high schools will be well-represented in both NCAA Tournaments.

Here is a look at the local participants on the men’s side and the women’s side (in alphabetical order):

MEN

Justin Ahrens, Ohio State

Senior forward averaged 5.2 points and 2.5 rebounds for the Buckeyes. He made 45 of 125 shots from 3-point range (35.1 percent). He started 19 of 30 games.

A.J. Braun, Wright State

Freshman center from Fenwick averaged 5.7 points and 3.1 rebounds for the Raiders. He started 20 of the 26 games he played and is shooting 53.8 percent from the field.

Credit: DaytonDailyNews

Harrison Hookfin, Ohio State

Senior walk-on from Lebanon scored two points in six games this season.

Nate Johnsson, Akron

Freshman guard from Lakota East has not played in a game this season.

Caleb McConnell, Rutgers

Senior forward who starred at Dunbar before finishing his career at Spire Academy in northeast Ohio averaged 6.5 points and 5.2 rebounds per game for the Scarlet Knights. He started 30 of 31 games and led the team with 69 steals.

TJ Nagy, Wright State

Junior walk-on guard had two rebounds in nine games this season. He is the son of WSU head coach Scott Nagy.

Andy Neff, Wright State

Senior walk-on forward from Oakwood scored eight points in nine games this season.

Jonny Riddle, Wright State

Freshman walk-on from Beavercreek who graduated from Legacy Christian has not seen action this season.

WOMEN

Madison Bartley, Belmont

Sophomore forward averaged 11.7 points and 5.0 rebounds while starting all 29 games she played for the Bruins. She is their No. 2 scorer and made 52.3 percent of her field goals.

Destiny Bohanon, Dayton

Sophomore from Wayne averaged 1.6 points in 19 games for the Flyers this season.

Dayton's Destiny Bohanon dribbles against Duquesne on Sunday, Jan. 3, 2020, at UD Arena. David Jablonski/Staff

Credit: David Jablonski

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Credit: David Jablonski

Jacquel Bronaugh, IUPUI

Freshman from Wayne averaged 1.5 points in 16 games for the Horizon League champions.

Maddie Frederick, Iowa State

Junior from Tippecanoe averaged 1.0 points in 21 games for the Cyclones.

Bree Hall, South Carolina

Freshman guard from Wayne averaged 2.8 points and 1.6 rebounds in 33 games for the Gamecocks, who are 29-2 and the No. 1 overall seed.

Morgan Haney, Albany

Sophomore guard from Piqua averaged 6.4 points and 3.0 rebounds in 32 games for the Great Danes.

Braxtin Miller, Ohio State

Fifth-year senior from Alter averaged 6.6 points and 3.8 rebounds for the Big Ten champions. She has 87 assists and 38 steals in 28 games, all starts.

Abby Prohaska, Notre Dame

Senior guard from Lakota West averaged 3.7 points and 2.8 rebounds in 17 games this season.

Maddy Westbeld, Notre Dame

Sophomore forward from Fairmont is the No. 3 scorer for the Fighting Irish after averaging 11.7 points and 6.2 rebounds per game. She also has 24 blocks and 27 steals.

Notre Dame's Maddy Westbeld (34) looks to pass as Fordham's Megan Jonassen (43) defends during an NCAA college basketball game, Thursday, Nov. 18, 2021, at Purcell Pavilion in South Bend, Ind. (Michael Caterina/South Bend Tribune via AP)

Credit: Michael Caterina

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Credit: Michael Caterina

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