Class 3A – Region 7: 2021’s Who Should be Valued by Colleges

As we look for other ways to cover prospects we thought it would be beneficial to cover players in a way that allows us to cover those we don’t write much about. We will be using the region’s from last season as they were constructed. Obviously, these regions will change into next season but for these stories it was the easiest way to divide players and teams as equally as possible. We will be writing a series of three stories for each region in the state and the categories are as follows: 2023’s to put on Your Radar, 2022’s who can Breakout, and 2021’s Who Should be Valued by Colleges. We will continue to go through each region and aim to hit as many players as we can that we haven’t talked about previously. Here are five 2021’s who should be valued by colleges. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="131136" first="Mya" last="Merschman"] - Central Lee</strong> Central Lee pushed Des Moines Christian to the brink in a regional final last year, and the Hawks will be looking to [player_tooltip player_id="131136" first="Mya" last="Merschman"] to complete the mission this season. Merschman averaged a double-double as a junior, producing 25 points and almost 11 rebounds per game. She made almost 58 percent of her shots, including nearly 40 percent of her three-point attempts. Along with 607 total points and 257 rebounds, Merschman also had 33 assists and sank 83 percent of her 165 free throws. She added in 55 steals and 33 blocks. Merschman is also one of the top blockers returning on the volleyball court. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="165062" first="Sydney" last="Marlow"] - West Burlington</strong> How good was [player_tooltip player_id="165062" first="Sydney" last="Marlow"] from West Burlington in 2019-20? She finished the season by making 50 percent of her field goals. Marlow recorded 426 points to lead the Falcons, adding 154 rebounds, 102 steals, 77 assists and 11 blocks. Her year was one for the record books, and Marlow will be looking for even more as a senior. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="165032" first="Claire" last="Mathews"] - Centerville</strong> For Centerville to take that next step, they will need even more production out of Class of 2021’s [player_tooltip player_id="165032" first="Claire" last="Mathews"]. As a junior, Mathews recorded 336 total points, shooting just over 47 percent from the field. She helped the Big Reds to a runner-up finish in the conference, scoring 336 points with 61 steals, 54 assists and 54 rebounds. If she can bump up her 58 percent shooting from the free throw line, it will be a nice conclusion to her prep career. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="165004" first="Kate" last="Muller"] - Des Moines Christian</strong> It was a banner year for Des Moines Christian, as the Lions reached the Class 3A state tournament and finished with a 22-3 record. Alongside standout [player_tooltip player_id="164930" first="Moriah" last="Prewitt"], the roster features a host of talented members of the Class of 2021 including [player_tooltip player_id="165004" first="Kate" last="Muller"]. Muller was the top rebounder for the Lions last year with 138, including nearly three per game on the offensive glass. She also had 267 points, 36 steals and 28 assists, knocking down 24 three-pointers. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="165067" first="Annaka" last="Harris"] - West Burlington</strong> A second member of the Class of 2021 looking to lead West Burlington to bigger things is [player_tooltip player_id="165067" first="Annaka" last="Harris"]. Harris recorded 256 points with 148 rebounds, 113 assists and 91 steals, shooting just over 50 percent from the field. She comprises quite the 1-2 punch with classmate [player_tooltip player_id="165062" first="Sydney" last="Marlow"] for the Falcons.