E-G All-Area Girls basketball | FC's Gillum named Player of the Year

LANCASTER — There were certainly some outstanding players in the area this season in girls' high school basketball, but one stood out from the rest. What set Fisher Catholic’s Hadli Gillum apart was just how much she meant to her team and that she seemed to be at her best when her team needed her the most despite having opposing defenses key on her throughout every game. Gillum, a sophomore, demonstrated she could score in a variety of ways and was a lethal passer, getting her teammates involved.

She was a constant throughout the season. For her efforts, Gillum is the 2026 Eagle-Gazette Girls Basketball Player of the Year. Lancaster coach Dusty Miller, who led a huge turnaround for the Lady Gales after they started the season 2-6.

At one point, they won five consecutive games and 10 of 12, playing in the always-tough Ohio Capital Conference-Buckeye Division. The Lady Gales went on the road and knocked off high-seeded Grove City in the tournament before falling just short against Newark in the Division I district championship. It was the first time the Gales reached a district title game in more than 20 years.

Lancaster finished with 13 wins. More: Player of the Year snub fuels Hadli Gillum's district win over FCA After having a standout freshman season that saw Gillum average 15. 9 points and 5.