Pre-season Conference Review: Mississippi Valley – Mississippi Division

<strong><u>Mississippi</u></strong> <strong>Team 2017-18 Record</strong> <strong>Cedar Rapids Xavier 14-9</strong> Pouring in 12ppg and 5ast, Unanimous All Conference performer Junior Caitlyn Daniels will look to lead the Saints to another winning season. She along with running mates Senior Emily Jasper and Junior Libby Arnold will look to increase on their win total and make a deep run into the playoffs. Xavier is a well-disciplined team that you can always expect to perform once the ball goes up. Look for the Saints to contend in the 4A playoff race this season and a shot at the conference crown. <strong> </strong> <strong>Dubuque Senior 6-16</strong> Without point guard Sachi Biehl whom played heavy minutes last season. The Rams will look to Senior Alli Udelhofen to pick up where she left off and lead the team this season. Juniors Ella Noel and Bridget Weber alongside Senior Becca Alveranga will be expected to step in and build on last season. How the Rams will fare this season will rely mainly on their upperclassmen entering the 2018-19 season. &nbsp; <strong>Waterloo East 6-18</strong> Backcourt is a term associated with the Trojans and the growth of Girls Basketball at Waterloo East. Just a short while back the Trojans suited up the twin towers in Makayla Sims and El Sara Greer and fell a game short of making their first ever trip to the State Tournament. Now the Trojans have two seasoned guards in All State Senior Kerris Roberts 19ppg 8rpg and All District performer Senior Amanee Clark 14ppg 4ast, as in past seasons the load is on their shoulders. Look for the Trojans to insert an abundance of youth into the lineup within the freshman class. The Trojans plan to continue bringing the program up for years to come. <strong> </strong> <strong>Iowa City, City High 25-1</strong> [caption id="attachment_16091" align="alignnone" width="300"] photo courtesy of the Gazette[/caption] Your class 5A State Runner-up City High lost in a classic to crosstown rival Iowa City West in the title game. Miss Iowa Basketball and double-double machine Ashley Joens is currently lasing up her shoes at Iowa State. The Little Hawks don’t rebuild they reload in returning three All Conference performers in unanimous selection combo-guard Junior’s Rose Nkumu, Joens younger sister Aubrey and Paige Rocca. City High as always will look to apply pressure and get in your face to force you into turning the ball over. Expecting an invitation to the State Tournament this season is something definitely within reach for the Little Hawks. <strong> </strong> <strong>Cedar Rapids Prairie 16-7</strong> Girls basketball in the College Community School District is quietly turning into to a program that wants to battle at the top. The league has taken notice and Coach of the Year Josh Bentley has the Hawks geared for a promising season. Contending for the Conference title this year will be no surprise as they return their top four starters and six in their top eight rotations. This veteran cast of Seniors Sarah Scmitt and Rachel Kilpatrick along with Junior Sidney McCrea will be led by Junior standout Mallory McDermott. McDermott, Scmitt and McCrea all landed on the All-Conference team and look to improve on their 16 win total from last season. [caption id="attachment_16095" align="alignnone" width="300"] photo courtesy of the Gazette[/caption] <strong> </strong> <strong>Cedar Rapids Washington 12-9</strong> The Warriors will put a roster on the floor this year that will have plenty of talent. Washington will be led by All-Conference wing Senior Sammy Mia and sharp shooter, Winona State commit Senior Caitlin Riley. Washington shot 35% from three and forced 400 turnovers last season to lead the division. Junior Isa Truemper the third wheel of the trio whom all averaged in double figures will need a repeat performance this season to her help mates challenge for the division crown. Rebounding and protecting the rim will get a nice boost, insert sensational top ranked freshman by Prep Girls Hoops 6’0 Hannah Stuelke and the Warriors may do just that, challenge for the conference title! <strong> </strong> <strong>Cedar Falls 22-2</strong> Last season the Tigers entered the season as a heavy favorite to compete for a State Title, but fell short. After landing four girls on the All-Conference team, this season the Tigers will need to replace an abundance of talent. Kamryn Finley, Kiana Barney and Cynthia Wolf have all joined the UNI Panthers Women’s basketball squad and Grace Burken is playing volleyball for the Shockers of Wichita State. Unanimous All Conference selection Junior Emerson Green and co-pilot second teamer Sophomore Anaya Barney will lead Cedar Falls this year. Green and Barney are more than capable of keeping the Tigers in contention. <strong> </strong> <strong>Western Dubuque 18-5</strong> Expansion of the Mississippi Valley Conference-Mississippi Division introduces us to the Bobcats of Western Dubuque. Coach Ostwinkle and company finished runner up in the WaMaC-East Division a season ago and they look to have similar success in the MVC this season. The Bobcats will be led by Junior Lindsey Eimers who poured in 13ppg last year, Senior Karlie Fagan whom averaged 7 boards as well as Senior Emma Baumhover who they expect to contribute hefty minutes.