Three-time Ms. Basketball winner Dee Alexander finished with 27 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists to lead Purcell Marian to its fourth straight state championship.

Purcell Marian jumped out to a 7-0 lead and never led by less than five points the rest of the way, beating Avon Lake, 72-44, to capture the Ohio High School Athletic Association Division III state championship on Friday at University of Dayton Arena. Purcell Marian finished the season with a 23-6 record. Avon Lake also finished 23-6.

The Cavaliers are just the fourth team in Ohio High School Athletic Association history to win four consecutive titles.

Purcell Marian defeated Avon Lake to win the Division III state championship. It is Purcell Marian's fourth consecutive state championship.

CLEVELAND, Ohio — For the third consecutive year Purcell Marian’s Dee Alexander has been named the winner of the Ohio Prep Sports Media Association’s (OPSMA) 38th Ms. Basketball award.

Cincinnati Marian Purcell was 32 minutes away from winning a fourth state championship, and Avon Lake was the only team that stood in its way March 14.

The Avon Lake Shoregals have strung together a few stalwart defensive performances in matchups against some of the best teams in Northeast Ohio and it has brought them to their first OHSAA girls basketball championship appearance in 31 years.