Playoffs: Week 1 Recap & 4A-5A Players to Watch
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The bigger classes are starting to get going in the state playoffs. Many metro league schools look to make their run this year. WIth a lot of high ranked players in this class. Some up-and-coming freshman. 4A and 5A basketball…
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Continue ReadingThe bigger classes are starting to get going in the state playoffs. Many metro league schools look to make their run this year. WIth a lot of high ranked players in this class. Some up-and-coming freshman. 4A and 5A basketball look to be very exciting. A few teams that really played well first round but just didn’t have the stuff have some promising young talent like Davenport. 48 teams look to make an appearance in 4A while class 5A has 40 teams.
Rivalry Games in the Regions
Grinnell vs. Pella – Always a battle when the two long-time rivals matchup. Pella looks to spoil Grinnell’s Championship run. Grinnell has a strong group of upperclassmen who look to squash this rivalry game and move out of the region.
Sioux City East vs. Sioux City West – The battle of East vs. West will answer which Sioux team will stay alive. West is on a 7 game win streak and really are playing well together. I look for the upset here. East will have to hit there three’s to make it out alive.
Close Games to Watch
Bondurant-Farrar vs Norwalk – Katelyn Lappe Katelyn Lappe 5'10" | PF Bondurant-Farrar | 2022 State IA looks to keep her senior campaign going and lead the blue jays. Norwalk’s sophomore Ava Johnson Ava Johnson 6'0" | PF Norwalk | 2024 State IA looks to have a big game to show she belongs. I like Bondurant and their young squad in this one. Balanced play will help them advance.
Iowa City Liberty vs. Southeast Polk – Jasmine Barney Jasmine Barney 5'7" | PG Cedar Falls | 2023 State IA , Junior looks to lead her team after downing an extremely tough davenport north in the first round. Barney’s all-around game is amazing. The long point is always moving and has a high motor. Cuts well and is very unselfish. With her scoring, Liberty looks to stay hot and advance. The rams have Brooklin Dailey Brooklin Dailey 5'8" | SF Southeast Polk | 2023 State IA who looks to matchup well with Jasmine. That battle will be the key to the game.
Players to Watch
Senior Spotlight
Ava Hawthorne Ava Hawthorne 5'10" | PG Gilbert | 2022 State IA – Gilbert – 30 pts 7 assists 6 steals. Six 3’s. One of the most complete players in her class. Does it all with passion on the court.
Aurora Nehring Aurora Nehring 5'11" | PF Newton | 2022 State IA – Newton – 6 blocks. A great rim protector who rebounds well and can score when put in the right spots.
Jada Williams Jada Williams 5'8" | PG Mason City | 2022 State IA – 25 pts. Four 3’s. This saucey senior can run the show and shoot well.
Jazzy Juniors
Doryn Paup – Creston – 31 points 10 rebounds. Strong all-around game.
Kaliyah Sain Kaliyah Sain 5'10" | SF Cedar Rapids Kennedy | 2023 State IA – Cedar Rapids Kennedy – 21 points 5 assists
Super Sophs
Grace Knutson Grace Knutson 5'10" | SG Cedar Falls | 2024 State IA – Cedar Falls – 23 points. Five 3’s most effective shooter in 5A so far from the field.
Anna Larson Anna Larson 5'3" | PG Norwalk | 2024 IA – Norwalk – 7 assists
Fantastic Freshman
Morgan Mann – Humboldt – 22 points
Karrington Asp – Western Dubuque – 11 rebounds – Lady Martin Bro’s select player. Strong game and is growing in her game well as a freshman
Divine Bourrage Divine Bourrage 6'0" | CG Davenport North | 2025 State IA – Davenport North – Probally the most put together freshman in the crew. Divine is long and strong. She has amazing court vision and is very unselfish. With multiple D1 offers already she scores so well from all levels and is a long strong guard who gets blocks and can defend very well.