Pre-season Conference Review: Mississippi Valley – Valley Division

<strong><u>Valley</u></strong> <strong>Team 2017-18 Record</strong> <strong>Cedar Rapids Jefferson 8-14</strong> The J-Hawks will look to replace last year’s team leader in ppg, rpg, bpg and All Conference selection Erica Oler. They will be led by Junior Jenna Griffith and Senior Kaylee Donner, both whom played significant roles last year. Size won’t be a major factor as the J-Hawks will dress 6’ft Junior's Arianna Hawkins and Grace Jellison alongside 5’10 Senior Lindsey Culver. &nbsp; <strong>Cedar Rapids Kennedy 11-12</strong> All Conference wing Hailey Dolphin has moved on and the Cougars will need to find her 17ppg further down the depth chart. 6’1 Senior Auddie Alepra will look to increase her scoring with help from teammates Senior Madison Friauf and Junior Sadie Powell. A just under .500 ball club a year ago will have eyes on the Cougars as a threat to contend nightly. &nbsp; <strong>Dubuque Hempstead 16-7</strong> Senior Madison Fleckenstein looks to add to her All Conference campaign from last season as she leads the Mustangs without the aid of Morgan Krug 18’. Krug was second on the team in rebounding and steals all key stats to any teams success. The Mustangs seem to always put a solid lineup on the floor and this year shouldn’t be any different. Expect major contributions from Junior's Riley Kay and Kaylie Springer. <strong> </strong> <strong>Iowa City West 19-7</strong> There is nothing like carrying the title of Defending State Champions, something the Trojans will due this season! Iowa signee and last years anchor Logan Cook will be a task to replace. As usual the Trojans have solid depth with Senior Cailyn Morgan whom is coming off of a big summer with Nike Grassroots Team All Iowa Attack as they were crowned Nike Nationals Champions. Wayne State commit Senior Lauren Zacharias and Dartmouth commit Senior Emma Koch will bring their final run with the Lady Stormers Adidas Guantlet squad to run with Morgan. With Sophomore Audrey Koch, this quartet will look to lead the very well-coached Trojans back to the Well for a shot to repeat as 5A Champions! <strong> </strong> <strong>Linn-Mar 3-19</strong> Not too often will you associate rebuilding with Linn-Mar athletics, specifically Girls Basketball. In a sound community that has always raised great talent, competition isn’t hard to find. With budding Sophomore star Keegan Krejca and names such as Junior Carly Printy on the roster look for that process to be done in short order. The Lions will be led by Senior Macey Miller whom shot 35% from deep and led her team in assist a year ago. <strong> </strong> <strong>Dubuque Wahlert 8-16</strong> The Gold and Blue will have their hands full in replacing a heavy senior class that listed 3 of 5 starters and 5 of their top 8 players. Krystal Tranel boasted big numbers in 16ppg while also leading the Golden Eagles in rebounds, assists, steals and blocks. Sophomore Alli Kutsch will look to carry that weight with assistance from Senior Maria Klein and Junior Morgan Herrig. The trio will call on a young roster to help keep the team ready to compete night in and night out. <strong> </strong> <strong>Waterloo West 11-12</strong> The Wahawks most certainly may be the conference sleeper in the Valley Division. With Unanimous All Conference Selection Senior Na’tracia Ceasar starting out the season healthy and leading the way, you can expect a sound team when the Wahawks take the floor! Second Team All Conference point guard Junior Lauren Conrey and Senior Jada Draine will also push this veteran cast assisted by Sophmore Gabby Moore. Top Iowa incoming freshman and Five Freshmen to Watch, Brooklyn Smith standing at 6’2 will have the Wahawks ready to protect the rim at every attempt. Is this year’s team just what the doctor ordered, that remains to be seen. &nbsp; <strong>Iowa City Liberty 6-15</strong> Expansion of the Mississippi Valley Conference-Valley Division brings you the Lightning of North Liberty, with former Hawkeye Jaime Printy-Brandt at the helm. Some pre-season rankings have the Liberty ready to crack the top 20 rankings, the MVC will definitely have a say in how they'll fair. What we learned last season; Junior Cora Saunders can shoot it from the 3-line and fellow classmate Isabel Smith is scrappy on the glass. Look for contributions coming from Junior Sam McPherson and Sophomore Jenna Saunders to help their squad take a stand in the Valley.