Ashland University head women's basketball coach
Kari Pickens has announced four additions in the 2023-24 recruiting class.
Joining the Eagles as freshmen next year will be
Gia Casalinova (5-foot-8 guard from Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy High School),
Lexi Howe (5-foot-10 guard from Tri-Valley High School),
Kylie Leibacher (5-foot-11 guard/forward from Margaretta High School), and
Carly Prows (6-foot-1 forward from Mason High School).
Gia Casalinova
A four-year starter and captain, Casalinova went past the 1,000-point mark in her junior season. She earned second-team All-Ohio honors as a junior and was third-team all-state as a freshman, and also has been lauded as first-team all-district and All-Principals Athletic Conference. CVCA was a district champion in her sophomore season.
Pickens – "Gia has been known as a tremendous scorer at the high school level, but it was her defense that most attracted me to her play. This girl is a lock down on-ball defender and can really harass the ball-handler. Offensively, she is a great shooter and can really impact the game with her ability to get to the free-throw line. Gia is going to bring a spark to our team."
Andy O'Keefe, Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy head coach – "Gia Casalinova represents everything that CVCA girls hoops is all about. She leads by example, is always looking for opportunities to serve others, and is extremely genuine and caring. She makes countless sacrifices for her teammates as she pursues our core values of IAm3rd (God first, others second, yourself third) and is selfless. Gia has been a fantastic role model for all of the young ladies that dream of being just like her some day. She has faithfully modeled Christ-like character in our program, leaves an incredible IAm3rd legacy, and has made a massive impact on our program and her teammates – she will be deeply missed. As for her basketball skill set, she is an elite defender, an incredibly efficient offensive threat, and an instant highlight reel. We are beyond excited for her as she moves on to make a long-lasting impact as an Eagle in the Ashland WBB program."
Lexi Howe
Howe played four years of both volleyball and basketball at Tri-Valley.
Pickens – "Lexi will be playing volleyball and basketball at Ashland, and we are so thankful to have her a part of our team. As a fast 5-foot-11 guard, Lexi can get to the rim at will, can rebound and defend with the best of them, and can pass and shoot over just about everyone. Lexi comes from a tremendous program at Tri-Valley and will bring great experience to our program."
Kurt Kaufman, Tri-Valley head coach – "The Tri-Valley Lady Dawg program is excited that Lexi Howe is continuing her academic and athletic career as an Eagle at Ashland University. During her time at Tri-Valley, Lexi's on-court play has helped rewrite the record books. She is a complete player who has the ability to score in many ways and brings energy to the floor that is infectious to her teammates. As a person, Lexi is just as impactful, she is committed to excellence, prioritizes teamwork, demonstrates dependability, and helps bring about the best in others."
Kylie Leibacher
Leibacher also is a 1,000-point prep scorer, and as a junior, was second-team All-Ohio, all-district and Sandusky Bay Conference Bay Division Most Outstanding Player. Margaretta won three straight league titles in Leibacher's first three seasons, as well as two district titles.
Pickens – "Kylie is going to be a dynamic offensive player within our system. She has the size, athleticism, and skill set to play the 2, 3, or 4 position. Kylie's ability to shoot the 3 and get to the rim will be a chore for opponents to stop, and I'm glad I get to coach her instead of coach against her. Outside of her playing ability however, Kylie is an amazing person, student, and leader."
Ray Neill, Margaretta head coach – "Kylie Leibacher is a multi-talented basketball player. She has the ability to attack the basket off the dribble, she is proficient from the 3-point line and she can be effective in the post. She brings an energy and a work ethic to practice every day that is off the charts. On top of all this, Kylie is the proverbial better person off the court than she is on. Kylie and her outstanding family will be a great addition to Eagle Nation."
Carly Prows
Prows earned first-team All-Greater Catholic League honors, and is a four-year varsity performer. She played at Mason as a junior and senior after playing her first two prep seasons at Ursuline Academy.
Pickens – "Carly is a workhorse. She plays on a powerhouse D-I girls basketball team, and is always willing to do whatever her team needs her to do to win. She is a force on the glass and as a forward is incredibly skilled with the ball, being proficient at bringing the ball coast-to-coast, shooting the 3, getting her teammates open, or scoring at the rim. Carly brings a positive energy and effort when she plays, and we are excited to add her to our team."
Rob Matula, Mason head coach – "Carly Prows is one of the hardest working kids I've ever coached. She will do anything to make herself better but more important, to make her team better. The best thing about her is that she's a great person and teammate."
