11/11/2026 11:15:00 AM | Women's Basketball
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio — Youngstown State head women's basketball coach Melissa Jackson is excited to announce that a trio of standout high school seniors will continue their basketball and academic careers at YSU.
Gabby Chadwell, a 5-foot-8 guard from Milford, Ohio, Emily Ritzer, a 6-foot-3 forward from Newark, Ohio, and D'Myah Williams, a 6-foot guard from Independence, Ky., have each signed a grant-in-aid during the November signing period to join the Penguins beginning with the 2027-28 season.
"We are so excited to officially welcome these three tremendous student-athletes into our Penguin family," said Jackson. "All of these young ladies were top high school targets for us – our staff worked extremely hard and they have been committed for a long time, so today is very special."
Chadwell has been named First-Team All-District and First-Team All-Eastern Cincinnati Conference each of her first three seasons at Milford High School. As a junior in 2025-26, she averaged 13.8 points, 4.6 assists and 3.5 steals per game while being named the ECC Defensive Player of the Year for the second straight campaign.
Chadwell was selected to the All-Southwest Regional Team for the third straight season in 2025-26 while earning Division I Third-Team All-Ohio honors. She collected Honorable Mention All-Ohio laurels as a sophomore in 2024-25 when she averaged 13 points, 3.7 assists and 4.5 steals. Chadwell set single-game school records at Milford for assists (9) and 3-pointers made (7).
"Gabby will bring a high-level basketball IQ and a winner's mentality," said Jackson. "As a combo guard, she can play multiple positions for us. A true coach's kid, Gabby really understands the game. She can score at all three levels, and she is a gritty defender."
Academically, Chadwell maintains a 4.34 GPA and is a member of the National Honor Society. She is also a three-time All-ECC Academic Award recipient. Chadwell intends to major in business or dietetics at Youngstown State.
Ritzer has earned First-Team All-District and All-Licking County League honors each of her first three seasons as a varsity starter at Utica High School. As a junior in 2025-26, she was named First-Team All-LCL and Division V Honorable Mention All-Ohio. Ritzer averaged 12 points, 10 rebounds and 2.5 blocks during her junior campaign. She collected Second-Team All-LCL and All-District accolades as a sophomore in 2024-25 and as a freshman in 2023-24.
"Emily will bring great size, athleticism and mobility to our post group," said Jackson. "She really fits what we do defensively with her ability to guard and shot block. We are excited about her skill set offensively and how she will develop in our system."
Academically, Ritzer intends to major in exercise science at YSU.
Williams is the No. 6 ranked overall player in the state of Kentucky. She averaged 16 points per game as a sophomore while helping lead Holy Cross High School to a Kentucky 9th Region Class A championship. Williams was named to the 35th District All-Tournament Team in 2025, and she was awarded the Varsity Perseverance Award in 2023-24. She is a two-time Academic Excellence Award winner, and she received the President's Award of Education in 2025. Williams was also awarded the Fine American Award in 2024 and the Holy Cross High School Indian Award in 2025.
"D'Myah is an ultra-athletic, versatile guard with tremendous size," said Jackson. "We are so excited for what she will bring on both sides of the ball. She is quick with the ball and can really do multiple things on the court. We love her ability to rebound and go – I think she will also be a great facilitator for us."
Academically, Williams is an honor roll student and a three-year member of the National Honor Society. She intends to major in physical therapy at Youngstown State.
For the latest news and updates on the YSU women's basketball program, follow @YSUWomensHoops on X and Instagram.
