Ranked and Returning: 2020 State Finalists from 1A, 2A and 3A
The 2020 IGHSAU State Championships feel like a distant memory in the wake of several global events. COVID-19 shutdowns began soon after the postseason ended in Iowa, and mid-June is the first time players have been able to return to…
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Continue ReadingThe 2020 IGHSAU State Championships feel like a distant memory in the wake of several global events. COVID-19 shutdowns began soon after the postseason ended in Iowa, and mid-June is the first time players have been able to return to AAU competition.
The 10 state finalist teams — Newell-Fonda and Bishop Garrigan (1A), North Linn and Osage (2A), Bishop Heelan and North Polk (3A), North Scott and Lewis Central (4A), and Johnston and Waukee (5A) — lost several studs, but return a lot of talent.
Here are the 2021’s, 2022’s and 2023’s in the Prep Girls Hoop rankings from 1A, 2A and 3A teams who wil hit the court for the modified grassroots season after a successful end to 2020.
Newell-Fonda — 1A State Champion
Newell-Fonda will come back in November very deep, with six of its returners— all playing for Play4Him Academy during the grassroots season— in the top 100 of their class. 2021’s Maggie Walker Maggie Walker 5'8" | SG Newell-Fonda | 2021 State IA , Ella Larsen Ella Larsen 5'9" | SF Newell-Fonda | 2021 State IA and Bailey Sievers Bailey Sievers 5'8" | SF Newell-Fonda | 2021 State IA ; 2022 Macy Sievers Macy Sievers 5'7" | SG Newell-Fonda | 2022 State IA ; and 2023’s Mary and Mia Walker Mia Walker 5'6" | PG Newell-Fonda | 2023 State IA combined for 56.1 of the team’s 77.6 points per game in 2019-2020, led by the quick, competitive Macy Sievers Macy Sievers 5'7" | SG Newell-Fonda | 2022 State IA . Walker, Erickson, B. Sievers and M. Sievers all shot above 40% behind the arc. Larsen, who is a solid all-around forward, snagged almost six rebounds per game.
Bishop Garrigan — 1A Runner-Up
Ranked No. 1 in 2023, the 6’3” Audi Crooks Audi Crooks 6'3" | C Bishop Garrigan | 2023 State #42 Nation IA brings back 23.2 points, 70.7 accuracy from the field and 11.9 rebounds for the Golden Bears. 2021 Kaylyn Meyers Kaylyn Meyers 5'9" | SF Bishop Garrigan | 2021 State IA will join Crooks and 2023 Molly Joyce Molly Joyce 5'7" | PG Bishop Garrigan | 2023 State IA , an effective scorer with solid handles who also contributed 17.6 points per game last season, for CY Select this summer.
North Linn — 2A State Champion
The Lynx lost a dynamic small forward duo in twins Abby and Grace Flanagan Grace Flanagan 5'8" | SF North Linn | 2020 State IA , but 2023 sister Ellie Flanagan Ellie Flanagan 5'7" | SF North Linn | 2023 State IA aims to fill their shoes as she plays for Iowa Prep this summer. The small-but-strong E. Flanagan averaged 3.6 points as a freshman and gave a solid performance from the free throw line. The team will be led by 2021 center Ellie Ware Ellie Ware 6'0" | C North Linn | 2021 State IA , who dominated the boards and was the team’s second leading scorer.
Osage — 2A Runner-Up
2021’s Dani Johnson Dani Johnson 6'1" | PF Osage | 2021 State IA and Ellie Bobinet Ellie Bobinet 5'9" | SG Osage | 2021 State IA don’t belong to any AAU squad, but they form Osage’s senior leadership next season. At 6’1” and 5’9”, the two have good length and finish well inside and from the free throw line. Johnson took all-state honors in basketball and volleyball, as well as being the 2A player of the year for volleyball.
Bishop Heelan — 3A State Champion
2023 Kenley Meis Kenley Meis 5'9" | PG Bishop Heelan | 2023 State IA , who is slowly making a reputation for big postseason plays in multiple sports, hit a few big threes in the championship game and will expand her role in the fall. The Crusaders lose 87% of their scoring, a gap they hope to fill with Meis and 2023 point guard Lauryn Peck Lauryn Peck 5'6" | PG Bishop Heelan | 2023 State IA .
North Polk — 3A Runner-Up
North Polk will have a presence within All Iowa Attack in July, starting with long 2021 shooter Maggie Phipps Maggie Phipps 5'10" | SG North Polk | 2021 State IA . Phipps’ supporting cast comprises 2022 Lucy Schaffer Lucy Schaffer 5'7" | PG North Polk | 2022 State IA , who had success at the state tournament and grabbed 4.3 rebounds per game last season, just 0.1 behind Phipps; 2023 Makayla Boatman Makayla Boatman 5'6" | SG North Polk | 2023 State IA , who added 9.6 points as a freshman in a successful year from the three point line; 2021 Abi Zimmer Abi Zimmer 5'6" | PG North Polk | 2021 State IA and 2023 Liza Schaffer Liza Schaffer 5'8" | PG North Polk | 2023 State IA .