ESPN RISE

Editor's note: ESPN RISE Magazine honors the top individual athletes in each of the magazine's 25 regions. Disagree with our choices? Vote for your favorite athletes here. And check out the honorees from other regions here.

BOYS' ATHLETE OF THE YEAR

ORLANDO SCALES
Elder / Wrestling
It would've been difficult for Scales to top his 2007-08 campaign, when he went 48-0 and won the state crown at 215 pounds. But the senior grappler managed to produce another impressive season on the mat this winter. Scales kept his unbeaten streak intact, finishing the year 39-0 and winning his second consecutive state championship. Scales was also a key member of the school's football team, which advanced to the Division I finals. On the gridiron, he recorded 7.5 sacks to earn an All-State honorable mention nod.

OTHER FINALISTS

BO CORDELL
Indian Hill / Football
While his team just missed qualifying for the playoffs, Cordell was one of the most polished passers in the area. The senior signal-caller completed nearly 70 percent of his passes and tossed 31 touchdowns against just six interceptions.

ORLANDO WILLIAMS
Princeton / Basketball
The senior guard was electric in the open floor and led the Vikings to an appearance in the Division I state finals. Williams averaged a team-high 17 points to go with 4.9 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.7 steals.

ZACH WILLS
Mason / Cross Country
Wills continues to add to his impressive resume, and he is only a sophomore. In the fall, he finished the season undefeated, won the Division I state title and placed eighth at the Nike Cross Nationals Midwest Regional.

GIRLS' ATHLETE OF THE YEAR

ELIZABETH BURCHENAL
St. Ursula / Soccer
There is an overwhelming amount of evidence proving Burchenal is the state's top talent on the pitch. The junior UNC recruit has netted 65 goals and 26 assists in her time with St. Ursula after connecting for 33 goals and 16 assists in the fall. Her scoring punch has helped the Bulldogs win back-to-back Division I crowns. Burchenal, an ESPN RISE All-American and Gatorade State Player of the Year, accounted for 49 percent of her team's goals and scored in every postseason contest, including the game-winner in the state finals.

OTHER FINALISTS

JADE HENDERSON
Ursuline / Volleyball
Henderson led Ursuline to the Division I state finals, where the Lions suffered their lone loss of the season. She piled up 306 kills and 222 digs, earning All- State, All-District and All-Conference honors as a junior.

CELIA OBERHOLZER
Wyoming / Swimming
She's only a sophomore, but Oberholzer has already established herself as an elite swimmer in Greater Cincy. At state, she won the 100 backstroke and was part of the 200 medley relay team that placed second.

CHELSEA TOLLIVER
Simon Kenton / Basketball
The Eighth Region Player of the Year scored 20.6 points per game during the regular season. Tolliver helped Simon Kenton advance to the Elite Eight, where she tallied 28 points in the season-ending loss to Casey County.