SHAW HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL ALL-TIME 45

In honor of 45 seasons of girls basketball at Shaw High School (East Cleveland, Ohio), here is a list of the top 45 players in the history of the program.

Before we get to it, putting together such a list wasn't easy as we didn't have access to statistics for every game and season. We were able to go off of memories, the Plain Dealer news archives and a few other internet sites to do the best job possible.

Shaw's girls basketball program of the Lake Erie League (LEL) has appeared in five state semifinals and have been state runner-up on two occasions.

Special shout out to Brenda Watkins-Hicks who was on the first ever Shaw girls basketball team. At press time we weren't able to find any other players on the first squad but hopefully they're all doing fine and have had productive lives.

If you're interested in discussing Shaw sports history join Shaw Cardinals Sports Group on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/810810319312653

Without further delay here is Shaw's All-Time 45!

Player's Name - Graduation Year or Final Season - Position

Christina Aden - 2003 - Shooting Guard

In 2003, Aden was named All-Ohio First Team, LEL Player of the Year, First Team All-Plain Dealer, First-Team All-Cuyahoga County and First Team All-District. She averaged 20.8 points per game and guided Shaw to a second straight LEL Championship. In 2002 she Led Shaw in scoring at 21.6 points per game and to district championship.

Desiree Alexander - 1988 - Point Guard

Shaw's starting point guard during its state semifinal run in 1988, Alexander had 13 assists in a game and averaged six assists per game for the season. Throughout 1987-88 she had big games like a 20-point, six-steal effort against Glenville during the regular season. Her most clutch moment came when she hit the final four free-throws to get Shaw back to the semi-finals for the fifth time in school history. Alexander scored 15 points during the process of beating conference foe Lakewood 54-48 in the regional finals.

Patrice Bethley - 1990  - Center

Bethley once grabbed 30 rebounds in a game. She lifted Shaw to a 53-52 win over Padua during 1989-90 season, scoring 21 points as Shaw finished the season 14-7. She was a reserve on the state semifinal team in 1988.

Lauren Billingsley - 2001 - Shooting Guard

A very athletic scoring guard, Billingsley posted 13 points in a 70-37 district semifinal win over Euclid in the 1999-00 season that Shaw finished with a 19-4 record. She posted a team best 18 points in Shaw's 54-47 win over Normandy that allowed it to capture the LEL championship.

Julie Borden - 1980 - Power Forward

Borden's post play helped lead Shaw to a 23-1 record, LEL championship and state semi-finals appearance in 1979-80. She averaged 16.4 points and led the team in rebounding. Borden was named All-Plain Dealer Second Team, 1980 and was featured on the Plain Dealer Dream Team, Feb. 21, 1980.

Quiarra Brooks - 1999 - Point Guard

Brooks makes a case for being Shaw's best guard of the 1990s. In 1999 she was named All-LEL and LEL MVP. She led Shaw to an 18-4 record and scored 28 points in the sectional championship, a 64-59 overtime win over Riverside. 

During her junior season in 1998, Brooks was named All-District Second Team by averaging 19 points per game and leading Shaw to its first winning season since the 1989-91 season.

Londa Byrd - 1989 - Center

A six-foot post player, Byrd was an All-Lake Erie League performer in 1989. She was a reserve on the 1988 state semi-final team. She went on to become a star player at Gannon University.

Deontae Cameron - 2001 - Guard

Cameron was an energetic player in a deeply talented Shaw back court. Shaw was 35-11 and had two district finals appearances during her two years in the program. She shared the team lead in scoring with 13 points in a sectional championship win over Brush during her senior season.

Chanel Davis - 2012 - Point Guard

Davis was All-LEL First Team and Honorable Mention All-District during her final season at Shaw. During her junior season she averaged 18 points, five assists and three steals. Led Shaw with 14 points in a sectional semifinal overtime win over Glenville in 2011.

Crystal Davis - 1990 - Point Guard

In 1990 Davis scored 29 points in a regular season road win over Warrensville. That year she helped to guide Shaw to 14-7 season. Davis led Shaw with 15 points in a sectional playoff win over Garfield Heights. As a junior in 1989 she led Shaw to a 30-point sectional win over John Adams with 14 points.

Denise Duncan - 1980 - Point Guard

Many believe Denise Duncan was the best girls player in the history of Shaw High. In 1978, as a sophomore, she was an All- LEL performer. In 1979 she was All-LEL, All-Ohio Honorable Mention, All-Plain Delaer Second Team. That season she averaged 20 points and shot 52 percent from the field

In 1980 Duncan was Third Team All-Ohio and featured on the Plain Dealer Dream Team, Feb. 7, 1980. She led Shaw to 23-1 record, the LEL Championship and a state semi-finals appearance where the team lost its only contest. At the state championships she was named to the All-Tournament Team with the first ever 30-point performance in state semi-finals round.

Simone Fuentes - 1984 - Shooting Guard

Fuentes led Shaw to the LEL championship in 1984. She scored 22 points in Shaw's district championship win over Glenville. An All-LEL and Third Team All-Plain Dealer selection, Fuentes was also grabbed All-Ohio Honorable Mention honors during her senior season. During her junior season she was featured on the Plain Dealer Dream Team, Jan. 27, 1983 and was named All-LEL.

Shawna Glaspy - 1984 - Point Guard

1984 - Glaspy was the point guard on Shaw's 20-5 squad that won the district championship. She was twice featured on the Plain Dealer Dream Team, Feb. 16, 1984 and Jan. 12, 1984. She was also an All-LEL selection. During her junior season in 1983 she was named All-Plain Dealer Special Mention while being featured on the Plain Dealer Dream Team for the first time, Feb. 10, 1983. Helped guide Shaw to a 22-3 record. In 1982 she was a member of Shaw's state runner-up team.

Deleah Gibson - 2018 - Point Guard

A flashy but effective guard, Gibson had three games where she scored 40 or more points during her senior season. She was a two-time All-LEL first team member and two-time All-District Honorable Mention honoree. Gibson was also featured in the Brazz Sports girls basketball documentary series on Amazon Prime Video.

Alaycia Hall - 2003 - Power Forward

An impressive leaper and athlete, Hall was a top rebounder for the district championship squad of 2002. In Shaw's district title game she led the team with 10 rebounds as it captured its 20th win of the season. She led all players with 11 rebounds in Shaw's regional semifinal appearance which was her final game.

Carletta Harrell - 2001 - Forward

Harrell was a reliable team player who could rise to the occasion at any moment and become a star when the number one option may have been having a rough night. In 1999 she had a classic performance against a future Ohio Miss Basketball, Garfield Heights' Allison Lipinski. In that game Harrell scored 25 points to Lipinski's 14, for the Shaw win.

Kourtney Harrell - 2005 - Shooting Guard

Harrell scored 19 points in her first start, resulting in a 54-48 win over Shaker during the 2003-04 season. She provided solid outside shooting throughout her career before competing on the collegiate level at Lakeland Community College.

Maren Hill - 1999 - Center

In 1999 Hill's aggressive post play helped Shaw to its first LEL Championship since 1988. She scored 11 points in district semifinal appearance which was her final game as Shaw finished 18-4. Hill became a star center at Goucher College.

Raina Hill - 1998 - Center

In 1998, Hill was an All-LEL center. The strong and brilliant post defender was also an All-Plain Dealer Honorable Mention, Honorable Mention Northeast Lakes District Team and Plain Dealer Player of the Week. Shaw finished 14-7 in her final season. It was the first time Shaw had back-to-back winning seasons in the 1990s.  

In 1997, Hill earned her first All-Plain Dealer Honorable Mention selection. Her dominant shot blocking was a big contribution as Shaw had a 17-5 finish, which was its most wins since 1988. She scored 13 points with 11 rebounds in Shaw's district semifinals loss to Mayfield.

Dallas Hobson - 1984 - Center

An All-LEL performer as a junior and senior, Hobson Grabbed 11 rebounds as Shaw won the LEL championship with a late season win over Lakewood during the 1984 season. In 1983 she scored 18 points in Shaw's 65-64 win over Glenville in district championship game.

Marcia Holt - 1985 - Forward

Holt was a quality rebounder who averaged nine boards per game during Shaw's 1985 state semifinals run. She had a big game scoring 18 points in the regional championship win over Lakewood.

Javannah Jackson - 2014 - Guard

Jackson was named All-LEL First Team during her senior season. She led Shaw to back-to-back LEL championships in her senior and junior seasons. The guard averaged 12 points and four assists during senior season. During her junior season she posted averages 10 points six assists and four steals per game.

Shirley Johnson - 1979 - Guard

The original Shaw girls basketball star had her career cut short due to an injury but in seven games during the 1979 season, Jackson averaged 26.3 points per game and was acknowledge for having the best scoring average in the Northeast Ohio District by the Plain Dealer. An All-LEL selection in 1979, Johnson had the first 40 point game in Shaw girls history when she scored 43 points on 20 of 40 shooting in an 86-59 win over Berea.

Shirelle Kaiser - 1989 - Point Guard

In 1989, Kaiser was named All-Plain Dealer Special Mention and All-LEL. In 1988 she was the only non-senior starter on the state semifinalist team. She scored 12 points in a key LEL regular season win over Lakewood. In 1987 she was the only sophomore starter on the district championship winning team.

Charron Leeper - 2006 - Power Forward

Leeper was a strong and polished front court player who averaged 15.5 points and 9.7 rebounds per game during her senior year and only season at Shaw. Her play earned her a Division I scholarship at Radford.

Alexus Lessears - 2016 - Center

Lessears was an All-Ohio Third Team center. She averaged 14.7 points per game and led Shaw the LEL championship. She was a finalist for Plain Dealer Girls Basketball Player of the Year. During her senior season she had a 22-point, 16-rebound performance during a regular season win against LEL foe Maple Heights.

Along with being named Northeast Lakes All-District she was also the class valedictorian.

Orethia Lilly - 1982 - Small Forward

Lilly is another players who can strongly be considered as the best Shaw girl to ever play. As a senior she led Shaw to second straight state finals appearance and a 26-game win streak. She scored 19 points in a state semifinal win over Hubbard and posted 26 points in the finals loss, which was her final high school game. She averaged 16.1 points per game as a senior.

As a junior in 1981, she scored 22 points in a narrow 49-47 win over Barberton in the regional semifinal. She had a dominant 24-point, 14-rebound game in the state semifinals win over Patterson, which helped Shaw qualify to its first ever state championship final in basketball. 

Sabrina McLin - 2013 - Point Guard

McLin averaged 14.3 points per game over her two-year varsity career at Shaw that saw her rack up 253 steals as well. In 2003 she was named LEL Most Valuable Player, All-State Honorable Mention and Honorable Mention All-Plain Dealer. She led Shaw to the LEL championship her senior season.

Torris Moore - 1991 - Center

Moore led Shaw with 23 points in her final game against the number one team in the area and state champ Magnificat. She was a freshman reserve on the 1988 state semifinal qualifying team.

Moore was named All-Plain Dealer Honorable Mention during her junior season and Special Mention after her senior season.

Shauna Nevel - 1992 - Shooting Guard

Nevel was a smooth high scoring player who averaged 20 points per game her senior season. She was a three-time All-LEL honoree while being named to two All-District and All-Plain Dealer teams. Nevel hit five three-pointers in a game during her sophomore season.

Dolores Perez - 1983 - Shooting Guard

As a senior in 1983 Perez averaged 19.5 points per game as she led Shaw to a district title. Pereze was named All-LEL and All-Plain Dealer Second Team. She posted 26 points in a victory over Garfield and 28 points one week later in a win over Normandy. In 1982 she scored 11 points in Shaw's state semi-final win.

Asia Polk - 2002 - Guard/Forward

In 2002, Polk lifted Shaw to its first district championship since 1988 her senior season where she led the team in scoring with 16 points. She was named All-Ohio Honorable Mention during her final year. Polk was a part of two LEL title teams (2002, 1999). As a junior she had a big playoff performance when she grabbed 17 rebounds and scored 10 points in a district semifinal win in 2001.

Tieara Reed - 2004 - Guard

The early 200os were a time when Allen Iverson was one of the most influential athletes in the country. Tierra Reed was as close to a version of Iverson that Shaw ever had. The small shooting guard scored loads of baskets during her career as opponents struggled to keep up with her speedy ways. She was a part of three LEL championships, winning one district championship in 2002.

Reed was an All-Ohio Honorable Mention selection during her senior season. She posted 25 points in her final game in the district semifinal round where Shaw finished 15-6.

Malisha Richardson - 1999 - Forward

Richardson was named Plain Dealer Honorable Mention in 1998 and 1999. Richardson was an important player in Shaw's climb back to respectability during the late 1990s. Scored 22 points in Shaw's sectional championship win over Riverside during her senior season.

Latrice Shotwell - 1985 - Guard

Class of 1985 grad, Latrice Shotwell was a part of a high scoring backcourt that took Shaw to higher places. The first team All-Ohio, first team All-District and All-LEL guard led Shaw to the state semifinals her senior season with an average of 17.9 points per game. She posted 16 points in the state semifinals which was her final game.

Tracey Shorts - 1985 - Shooting Guard

Few players in Shaw history had as many big game performances during their senior season as Shorts did. In 1985, Shorts was an All-Ohio selection that led Shaw to its fourth state semifinals appearance with a 25-point performance in a victory over Lakewood in the regional championship. She scored 23 points in a district round win over Bedford, before posting 22 in a regional semifinal win over Eastlake North. During regular season Shorts outscored Normandy by herself, with 31 points in a 78-27 win. Named to the PD All-Scholastic team, Shorts averaged 18 points per game during her senior season.

Anjoli Smith - 2004 - Guard

Smith was a key contributor, with shooting and transition defense, to Shaw's LEL championship winning team in 2003 that finished 19-3. She was described as the "secret weapon" by coach Edith Spivey, that helped Shaw to win the district championship during her sophomore season in 2002. She was an All-LEL performer during her senior season.

Geraldine Taylor - 1982 - Forward

Taylor scored seven of her 12 points in the fourth quarter, helping to guide Shaw to a regional semifinal win over Barberton in 1982. A reserve, she came in when star forward Orethia Lilly was had four fouls and Shaw was losing 35-32 in the final quarter. Shaw won 58-47 as Taylor had one of the most important off the bench performances in school history. She was a member of Shaw's state finals teams in 1981 and 1982.

Janel Tilghman - 1988 - Forward

There's a solid argument that Tilghman may be Shaw's best ever power forward. In 1988, Tilghman earned LEL Player of the Year, All-Plain Dealer and Second Team All-Ohio honors as she guided Shaw to the state semifinals with an average of 18.1 points and nine rebounds per game. She scored a career high 38 points when Shaw broke a school record with 112 points in a 112-39 win over John F. Kennedy.

Holly Thompson - 1988 - Guard

During the 1988 season Thompson collected a Cleveland-area best 14 steals in one game. She outscored Warrensville by herself when she had a 30-point game in Shaw's 91-23 victory. Thompson also had a game where she recorded seven steals. She helped the team to qualify for state semifinals during her senior season.

During her junior year in 1987 she was named All-LEL, leading Shaw to a 23-2 finish the LEL championship and the district championship. She was named All-Plain Dealer Special Mention. Thompson scored 22 points in a district semi-finals win over Cleveland Heights.

Fredniqua Walker - 2015 - Center

Walker was named third team All-Ohio during her senior season where she averaged 16 points and 12 rebounds per game. She led Shaw to a district runner-up finish where she scored 18 points in the title game. Walker competed for Akron in college.

Sharmella Walker - 1988 - Center

Walker seemed ready for the big time the moment she got to Shaw as she was a four-year starter in the post. In 1985 she started as a freshman on a team that made it to the state semifinals. During her sophomore season she had massive playoff games including a game where she posted 14 points and grabbed 19 rebounds in sectional win over East. She followed that with 17 points and grabbed 25 rebounds in sectional championship win over Lincoln-West.

In 1987 as a junior she was named All-LEL and All-Plain Dealer. She led Shaw to the district title scoring 26 points in a win over East. Walker averaged 15.5 points and 10 rebounds that season and was honored on Feb. 12, 1987 when she was named Plain Dealer Player of the Week.

Her final season saw her lead Shaw with 18 points in a 1988 state semifinal loss. She posted 16 points in a regional championship win. Walker averaged 15 points and 14 rebounds after her senior year and was named Honorable Mention All-Ohio.

Thea Wellons - 1981 - Shooting Guard

In 1981, the high flying Wellons was named second Team All-Ohio, while averaging 21 points per game. She led Shaw to a state runner-up finish, scoring 21 points in state semifinal win. During her junior season she scored 19 points and pulled down 16 rebounds in a district championship win over Glenville. Wellons averaged 14 points per game as Shaw qualified for state semifinals.

Jihan Williams - 2004 - Power Forward

Williams helped lead Shaw to three LEL Championships before transferring as a senior. She was a key player in defending the post for Shaw's 2002 district championship team as freshman. Williams' role grew every year as she became the Team MVP in 2004. She earned All-Lake Erie League honors in 2003 and 2004.

Pamela Williams - 1982 - Forward, Center

Pamela Williams was Honorable Mention All-Plain Dealer in 1982. Selected as Shaw's co-MVP with teammate Orethia Lilly, she scored 16 points in a regional semifinal comeback win over Barberton. Williams front-court play helped Shaw finished the season as state runner-up for second straight year.