Class 3A: Region Previews
Every team in the state is now 0-0. Whether you finished the regular season 21-0 or 0-21 – you can throw that out the window. Win and you move on, lose and your season is over. There will be a…
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Continue ReadingEvery team in the state is now 0-0. Whether you finished the regular season 21-0 or 0-21 – you can throw that out the window. Win and you move on, lose and your season is over. There will be a bit of a consolation prize for eight of the 64 Class 2A teams as there will only be a select few make it through their region and onto Wells Fargo at the beginning of March. From there, one will stand alone as the state champion. Before we get to Des Moines we have eight very interesting brackets to be played out. We preview each of those below with five different categories.
We will look at which team we think could pull off the biggest upset in the bracket as well as the team that has a chance to make a sustained run through the region. We will then predict the championship game and dive into players who are going to impact the region. You can see the 3A brackets in their entirety HERE.
Region 1
Team Most Likely to be a Bracket Buster: West Lyon
West Lyon should be able to easily cruise in the opening round game against Sioux Center. They will then take on the top seed Bishop Heelan and look to spoil their bid to get back to state again. While it wouldn’t be a shock to see West Lyon win the game against Bishop Heelan, they would be knocking off the favorite. If West Lyon wins their second-round game provided they make it through the first round, I think they can get to state.
Darkhorse That Could Make a Run: Unity Christian
Unity Christian is the three seed in this bracket but they are still a little bit of a darkhorse. Their first-round opponent is MOC-Floyd Valley, a team that they have beaten already this season. If they win this one, they likely head on to play Cherokee Washington. Unity Christian had a tough schedule this season and I think it prepared them well for the postseason. I won’t be shocked to see them in the region finals at the end of it all.
Region Championship Prediction: Bishop Heelan 65, Cherokee Washington 61
I think both of these teams could potentially get beat in the second round, but it is hard to pick against these two teams. They are both the overall most talented groups in the region but it is always a possibility to be upset. I am taking Bishop Heelan to make it back to state no matter their opponent.
X-Factor Player: Ella Skinner, Sr., Bishop Heelan
Skinner is a huge reason that Bishop Heelan finds themselves at the forefront of the conversation to get back to Wells Fargo. She is a dynamic scorer who can shoot the ball well from all three levels and she also has the ability to rebound the ball really well. Skinner is a mismatch for any team and should be able to score as much as she wants in the three games.
Ten Other Players To Keep an Eye on
Janie Schoonhoven, Jr., Unity Christian
Gracie Schoonhoven, So., Unity Christian
JeMae Nichols, Jr., Cherokee
Alexis Pingel, So., Cherokee
Kenna Mongan, Fr., Cherokee
Brooklyn Meyer, So., West Lyon
Jazlin De Haan, Jr., MOC-Floyd Valley
Katelyn Stanley, Sr., Bishop Heelan
Amber Aesoph, Sr., Bishop Heelan
Carly Murphy, Jr., OABCIG
Region 2
Team Most Likely to be a Bracket Buster: Spirit Lake
This is a very tough region and I think that any of the top seeds could be upset. Spirit Lake has been very competitive this season and they have the pleasure of playing Okoboji in the first round of the tournament. Okoboji has played a ton of close games this season and I expect this game to be no different. I think Spirit Lake has a good chance at knocking them off.
Darkhorse That Could Make a Run: Algona
Algona has already proven this season that they can take down very good teams when the odds are stacked against them. They opened up the season against Estherville-Lincoln Central and will now see them again in the first round. Algona is on a hot streak as of late so I wouldn’t be shocked to see them knock them off. They will then play Clear Lake which would be a tougher game but they’ve beaten them once this season already.
Region Championship Prediction: Clear Lake 58, Okoboji 56
Clear Lake is the most talented team in this region and despite not having the best record they gained the top seed in the region. Clear Lake will likely meet Okoboji in the finals and I think that Clear Lake’s overall talent will win out. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Okoboji make it out of the region but I think Clear Lake has the best shot.
X-Factor Player: Sara Faber, Sr., Clear Lake
Faber is the motor that runs Clear Lake. She is a tough player who knows how to score the ball at a very high level. When Faber is “on” it’s a thing of beauty. It will be tough for anyone to knock her off her game, but she also has an easily exploitable flaw that teams just haven’t figured out how to stop yet. Faber is in store for another big three games.
Ten Other Players To Keep an Eye on
Magan Christopherson, Sr., Okoboji
Kallyn Stumbo, Sr., Okoboji
Jaydan Nitchals, So., Estherville Lincoln Central
Kaitlyn Tendal, So., Estherville Lincoln Central
Abbey Holmes, Sr., Algona
Shae Dillavou, So., Forest City
Mady Lange, Sr., Humboldt
Chelsey Holck, Jr., Clear Lake
Jayden Frank, Jr., Garner-Hayfield-Ventura
Chloe Frank, So., Garner-Hayfield-Ventura
Region 3
Team Most Likely to be a Bracket Buster: Kuemper Catholic
There aren’t really any good shots at an upset in the first round in this region mainly due to how close all the teams are to each other. If anyone can pull off a true upset it’ll be Kuemper Catholic. Even so, I give that about a 1% chance at happening because Roland-Story will have to play very poorly. If this happens then it would be the upset of the tournament.
Darkhorse That Could Make a Run: Jesup
Jesup has been playing really solid basketball over the past few weeks after starting the season 4-3. They are 13-1 since and their only loss was to one of the state favorites, Dike-New Hartford. They might not be a “darkhorse” but it’s definitely a team that I bet a lot of people don’t think they have a shot. They would have to likely beat Hampton-Dumont-CAL and then Roland-Story but this team is on fire right now.
Region Championship Prediction: Roland-Story 65, Jesup 54
Roland-Story has too much firepower to be taken down by anyone in this region. I think that Hampton-Dumont-CAL has the best chance at beating them in the finals but I also think that Jesup is just a better team. It will be interesting to see who they face off with as I don’t think Roland-Story will be beaten before the finals. I wouldn’t rule out an upset but Roland-Story is just so talented.
X-Factor Player: Reagan Barkema, So., Roland-Story
Barkema has shown signs of getting cold from the floor at times, and that could very well happen against Hampton-Dumont-CAL if they play with the defense that they play. Barkema is a legitimate scorer from anywhere on the floor and she holds a ton of confidence within her own game. If Barkema gets to her spots then Roland-Story should be able to roll.
Ten Other Players To Keep an Eye on
Mallory Badding, Sr., Kuemper Catholic
Amanda Treptow, So., Jesup
Brittany Lingenfelter, Sr., Jesup
Payton McHone, Sr., Jesup
Reece Johnson, So., Roland-Story
Madeline Morton, Jr., Roland-Story
Avery Hanson, So., Hampton-Dumont-CAL
Lauren Meader, So., Hampton-Dumont-CAL
Courtney Miller, Sr., Hampton-Dumont-CAL
Jenny Wibholm, Jr., Iowa Falls-Alden
Region 4
Team Most Likely to be a Bracket Buster: New Hampton
New Hampton has had a very solid season this year and have to play Waukon in the first round and then move on to play Crestwood. Waukon is favored in the first round but I think that New Hampton could conceivably pull off the upset and make their way to meet Crestwood. I don’t think they would beat Crestwood but a win over Waukon would definitely be an upset.
Darkhorse That Could Make a Run: Waukon
Waukon might get beat in the first round by New Hampton but I think they are the team with the best shot to take down Crestwood in this region. It is really hard to beat a team three times in one season and that is what Crestwood would be looking to do if they end up meeting. Waukon lost the first game by one point and then the last game by 13 points. It should be a 5-10 point game if they meet again.
Region Championship Prediction: Crestwood 65, Assumption 59
Assumption should be able to easily come out of the bottom half of the bracket as that is the weakest side of the bracket. They will then likely meet Crestwood who I don’t think Assumption can stop with their personnel. Crestwood should be able to glide into Des Moines without a ton of resistance unless they have an off game.
X-Factor Player: Sharon Goodman, Sr., Crestwood
The chances that Crestwood has to advance to the state tournament rest firmly on the shoulders of Goodman. If she can be stopped then I think that Crestwood has a high probability of losing. If not, then I think Crestwood makes it to the state tournament. The thing that Crestwood can lean on is that she hasn’t been stopped yet.
Ten Other Players To Keep an Eye on
Abby Reichter, Jr., North Fayette Valley
Carlee Rochford, Fr., New Hampton
Kaylee Eggerichs, Sr., New Hampton
Annika Headington, Jr., Waukon
Margaret Wacker, Jr., Waukon
Laken Lienhard, Sr., Crestwood
Rachel Bierman, Sr., Tipton
Ava Schubert, Fr., Assumption
Natalie Moore, Sr., Assumption
Maggie McQuillen, Sr., Anamosa
Region 5
Team Most Likely to be a Bracket Buster: Solon
Solon is a very improved team this season and despite playing the team I think can make a deep run in the first round, I think that Solon could make some noise if they get to the second round. They are a better matchup for Monticello than Vinton-Shellsburg is but the tough part for them will be getting out of the first round. If they do then they should have a good shot to take down Monticello.
Darkhorse That Could Make a Run: Vinton-Shellsburg
Even though I think Solon will beat Vinton-Shellsburg, this is a team that is built for sustained success throughout the tournament. They have the scorers to hang with both of these teams and make it all the way to the championship game. This is a team that has shown the ability to win close games and it should come in handy in the bracket.
Region Championship Prediction: Dike-New Hartford 65, Monticello 48
No matter who ends up getting to the final game I don’t see anyone in this region that is capable of taking down Dike-New Hartford. DNH has the confidence and the skill to be able to take down anyone in 3A this season. They are one of the main contenders for the state title this season and for that reason, I don’t see anyone really getting in their way.
X-Factor Player: Ellie Foster, Sr., Dike-New Hartford
Foster is one of the best scorers in the state and is going to want to go out on top with a state title. She doesn’t need much space at all to get her shot off and has shown the ability to put up points against some of the very best teams in the state. If Foster is playing up to her capability during the tournament there is no player in 3A that can match her.
Ten Other Players To Keep an Eye on
Katie Knock, Sr., Dike-New Hartford
Morgan Weber, Sr., Dike-New Hartford
Lucy Howes-Vonstein, Jr., Vinton-Shellsburg
Taryn Sutton, Sr., Vinton-Shellsburg
Ali Vesely, Jr., Columbus Catholic
Jordan Kuper, Sr., Monticello
Gabrielle Steiner, Sr., Monticello
Kaia Holtkamp, So., Solon
Makinley Levin, So., Solon
Natalie Tecklenburg, Sr., Union
Region 6
Team Most Likely to be a Bracket Buster: PCM
PCM has shown flashes this season of being a team that can take down some top teams and then other times they have not played very well. They play some really tough teams throughout the year and could potentially meet one of those in the second round with North Polk. PCM first has to take down Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont in the first round and I think they’ll be able to do so. Look for them to make a run at North Polk.
Darkhorse That Could Make a Run: Williamsburg
At 7-14 you wouldn’t think that Williamsburg has that great of a shot to make a run in this region. But they are 5-1 over their last six games and are coming into the tournament with some momentum. Momentum is huge for those middle to lower-tiered teams and Williamsburg certainly has momentum. I look for them to take down Benton in the opening round and then give a very good game to West Liberty.
Region Championship Prediction: North Polk 56, West Liberty 41
North Polk definitely has the leg up on everyone else in this region. They are the best team talent-wise in this region and I expect them to get to the state tournament. Whoever they play will have a tough time stopping all of their scorers and will have their hands full with their defense as well. North Polk should easily get to the state tournament but West Liberty might be able to provide some resistance.
X-Factor Player: Jaedon Murphy, Sr., North Polk
Murphy is one of the top unsigned seniors in the state and she is also one of the most versatile players in the state as she plays a point-forward type of role. Murphy can shoot it or score it on the inside creating mismatches. She likely isn’t the most talented player on the team but she is going to have some of the biggest impact in games with how fundamentally sound she is.
Ten Other Players To Keep an Eye on
Jenna Twedt, Fr., Benton
Regan Freland, Sr., PCM
Maggie Phipps, Jr., North Polk
Lucy Schaffer, So., North Polk
Makayla Boatman, Fr., North Polk
Finley Hall, Fr., West Liberty
Macy Daufeldt, So., West Liberty
Charlotte Wetjen, Jr., Williamsburg
Taylor Busch, Sr., Williamsburg
Maddie Nonnenmann, So., Mid-Prairie
Region 7
Team Most Likely to be a Bracket Buster: Centerville
Rock Valley has to face off with Sibley-Ocheyedan in the first round of the region, a team who they have both won and lost to by six points. I think that Rock Valley is the more mature and talented team even with a loss to them already this season. Rock Valley is my bracket buster because I think that they just matchup a lot better with the #1 seed Western Christian. I could see Sibley-Ocheyedan beating them in the first round but I just think that Rock Valley has a better chance at taking down Sibley-Ocheyedan.
Darkhorse That Could Make a Run: Central Lee
Central Lee has a solid draw in the bracket since they are on the other side of the bracket away from Des Moines Christian. They are the three seed with the fourth-best record in the tournament and they should have a good shot at getting to the finals. West Burlington is a very good team but I think that Central Lee has a real shot to pull it out in the second round if that is the matchup.
Region Championship Prediction: Des Moines Christian 67, West Burlington 43
Des Moines Christian could get upset in the region with their inability to score the ball at times. I don’t think any of these teams are good enough defensively to hold them to under 50 points but if they do then I think they could get beat. I look for Des Moines Christian to roll through the region but as I said, they could run into some trouble if they have an off night offensively.
X-Factor Player: Mya Merschman, Jr., Central Lee
Merschman has really popped onto the scene this season and is playing at a very high level. She is 25.7 points a game while shooting the ball at a 57.7% clip on the year. If Merschman gets hot in the region then I think that Central Lee would put a ton of pressure on both West Burlington and Des Moines Christian. She’s going to be must-watch basketball in the region.
Ten Other Players To Keep an Eye on
Sydney Marlow, Jr., West Burlington
Annaka Harris, Jr., West Burlington
Leah Collier, Jr., West Burlington
Moriah Prewitt, Jr., Des Moines Christian
Kate Muller, Jr., Des Moines Christian
Megan Miller, Fr., Des Moines Christian
Emma Rector, So., Chariton
Avery Hall, So., Chariton
Claire Mathews, Jr., Centerville
Mickey Stephens, So., Centerville
Region 8
Team Most Likely to be a Bracket Buster: Atlantic
There aren’t a lot of possible upsets in this one through the first round as all four matchups are fairly lopsided. In the second round, you will have a potential game between Creston and West Marshall which won’t be an upset. There could also be a game that pits Red Oak against Atlantic and I think that could be a closer one than many think. Red Oak is without one of their top players so Atlantic could swoop in for the upset.
Darkhorse That Could Make a Run: Creston
Creston has struggled this year at times but they also have the top player in the entire region with post player Kelsey Fields. It is tough to stop Fields and I don’t think anyone in the region can do it. They should easily win their first game and then play West Marshall who doesn’t have anyone that can match up with them. With Red Oak’s top player being out, Creston should finally be able to take down Red Oak.
Region Championship Prediction: Creston 62, Red Oak 61
Red Oak, Creston, and West Marshall all have the ability to win the game but Creston has the upper hand with their talent in the post. I don’t think anyone on these teams will be able to stop them on the boards. When Creston is hitting the boards hard they are very tough to stop with all of their second-chance points. I think that Creston squeaks out of here.
X-Factor Player: Kelsey Fields, Jr., Creston
Like I have pointed out before, Fields is the top player in this region as she is a monster on the glass and can score with ease on the inside. There isn’t anyone in this region that can match up with her very well and because of that Creston should be able to march on to Wells Fargo. If Fields is on, Creston should be able to make it easily.
Ten Other Players To Keep an Eye on
Haley Rasmussen, Jr., Atlantic
Mckenzie Waters, Sr., Atlantic
Chloe Johnson, Sr., Red Oak
Ellie Rengstorf, Sr., Red Oak
Avril Sinning, Sr., West Marshall
Karlyn Snider, Sr., West Marshall
Sam Dunphy, Jr., Creston
Kacie Rewerts, Sr., Nevada
Ava Wolf, So., Shenandoah
Roxy Denton, Sr., Shenandoah