North Central Conference: Top Players In Class Of 2021

Year in and year out, seniors tend to dominate in the North Central Conference. However, there was a strong group of juniors that showed out on the court this past winter - and all of them will be looking to take that next step as seniors this coming year. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="131258" first="Raven" last="Kinnetz"], Clarion-Goldfield/Dows (2021)</strong> Next year, [player_tooltip player_id="131258" first="Raven" last="Kinnetz"] will be the top returning scorer in the NCC after posting just under 16 points a game. Kinnetz was a threat from all areas on the court, shooting 41 percent from the field with 29 made 3-pointers. She was also effective at the line, knocking down 83 percent of her shots there. Kinnetz handled the ball much of the time for the Cowgirls, dishing out a team-high 55 assists. She also recorded 90 steals, which placed her among the state leaders. <em>Analysis</em>: An all-around athlete at Clarion-Goldfield/Dows, Kinnetz has a motor that never stops thanks to her cross country background. Look for her to expand on her long-distance shooting next year. <strong>Jenny Wibholm, Iowa Falls-Alden (2021)</strong> It was a tough winter for the Cadets, but that didn’t keep Jenny Wibholm from shining. Wibholm averaged 13 points a game, shooting 46 percent from the field with 23 made 3-pointers. She was also the leader across the board for Iowa Falls-Alden, pulling down team-highs in rebounds (196), assists (50) and steals (71). <em>Analysis</em>: For the Cadets to really contend in the league, they’ll need even more out of Wibholm next winter. She is capable, alongside sophomore-to-be Hailey Bridgewater. <strong>Kendal Clark, Humboldt (2021)</strong> The Clark name is synonymous around the area, and Kendal Clark is the next in the long line. She averaged 11 points per game and led the Wildcats with 170 rebounds and 34 blocks. Along with her strong basketball season, Clark also wrestled for Humboldt. She captured a state title in her first season on the mats. <em>Analysis</em>: The true athleticism of Clark shined bright this winter, doubling up with basketball and wrestling. She is primed for a strong senior season as the leading returning scorer for Humboldt. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="131168" first="Darby" last="Dodd"], Clear Lake (2021)</strong> There was no delay for [player_tooltip player_id="131168" first="Darby" last="Dodd"], as she fit right in with Clear Lake’s standouts this year. Dodd was third on the team in scoring at just under nine per game, knocking down a team-high 58 triples. Dodd was one of the top long-range shooters in the conference, sinking them at a 41 percent clip. She also buried 84 percent of her free throw shots and added 83 rebounds, 58 assists and 33 steals. <em>Analysis</em>: With graduation taking some of the fire-power from the Lions, look for Dodd to have an even bigger impact as a senior. <strong>Morgan Middleton, Clarion-Goldfield/Dows (2021)</strong> One of the top junior tandems in the state comes out of Clarion, as Morgan Middleton and [player_tooltip player_id="131258" first="Raven" last="Kinnetz"] provide an inside-outside presence. Middleton, a future Div. I volleyball player, scored nine points per game on 50 percent shooting from the floor this past season. She also grabbed 149 rebounds with 24 assists, 24 steals and 15 blocks. <em>Analysis</em>: The Cowgirls return virtually everyone, and that should lead to a prime senior campaign for Middleton and the team. <strong>Leah Neverman, St. Edmond (2021)</strong> It was a long season for the Gaels, but Leah Neverman continued to show improvement game-by-game. Neverman led the team at nine points a night, as she was also the leader with 197 rebounds and 41 blocked shots. <em>Analysis</em>: Inside, Neverman was nearly unstoppable, but she also continually added to her game by knocking down a dozen 3-pointers. St. Edmond will need her to be even better as a senior.