PGH Iowa’s Games of the Week: Week 0
In this article:
Once again this year we will be listing the 10 best games of each week for you before each week kicks off. This will be an abbreviated look at the top games this week simply due to there are only two days of games for this first week which we dub “Week 0”. Below you can few some of the premier matchups to watch and games that could have big implications down the line.
Friday: Earlham (0-0) @ Central Decatur (0-0)
This is a big game for both of these teams as Earlham looks to improve on their record from last year and Central Decatur will look to continue their run of excellence. Earlham had nine wins a year ago but a lot of their losses were very close losses. Earlham does lose their second leading scorer but they return three players who scored over 145 points last year including their leading scorer senior
Alli Boyle
Alli
Boyle
5'8" | SF
Earlham | 2021
State
IA
. Central Decatur will now be almost an entirely new look squad as they lose 3 starters and a fourth who played in every single game. Hallee Hamilton’s role this year will be much bigger as she looks to take over and lead the team.
Friday: Boone (0-0) @ Webster City (0-0)
Boone has a young team last year and only lost two players to graduation. This year they will come in more experienced and be able to play with teams right away. They have a lot of talent on the team that matches up well with their opponents and if they can get through the year healthy then they should have a good year. This first game will be a tough task for them though and a win could start them out on a good note. Webster City will miss the service of eight seniors from last year but they do have some other players to step up into that role. Senior Leah Kasch and junior
Kelly Stoakes
Kelly
Stoakes
5'5" | PG
Webster City | 2022
State
IA
will draw a lot of the attention of opposing teams. While they will miss the seniors from last year, this is a group who, with a win tonight, could really get things going early on in the year.
Friday: Unity Christian (0-0) @ Bishop Heelan (0-0)
Unity Christian is looking to contend this year for a state title and there is no better game to start with than the defending 4A state champions. They do not lose anyone from their 15 win team last year and actually have one of the most lengthy rosters in the state. If they come out in this game and dominate I think it’ll put the entire state on notice. Bishop Heelan does have some returning talent from their state championship last year but they will have to replace all five starters. The sophomore duo of
Lauryn Peck
Lauryn
Peck
5'6" | PG
Bishop Heelan | 2023
State
IA
and
Kenley Meis
Kenley
Meis
5'9" | PG
Bishop Heelan | 2023
State
IA
made a big impact last season and this year will look to be the workhorses. This isn’t going to be the year that they repeat as the state champions but the play of these two and the ability for Bishop Heelan to continue playing lock down defense will go a long way in determining how their season will end up.
Friday: Des Moines Christian (0-0) @ Creston (0-0)
This is one of the biggest games of the week as state title hopeful Des Moines Christian travels to Creston for an early season showdown. Des Moines Christian returns Northern Illinois commit
Moriah Prewitt
Moriah
Prewitt
5'7" | SG
Des Moines Christian | 2021
State
IA
, along with fellow seniors
Megan Miller
Megan
Miller
5'11" | SF
Des Moines Christian | 2021
State
IA
and
Kate Muller
Kate
Muller
5'9" | SF
Des Moines Christian | 2021
State
IA
to lead the team. This is a good early season test for them to see how they can handle the ball with pressure and how they will play against other talented teams. Last year in the opening game Des Moines Christian won by a single point. Creston loses just one senior of note from last year and they are looking to get to the Well this upcoming season. A win tonight could really put them over the edge and show the entire class of 3A that they are a beast to be reckoned with. Senior
Kelsey Fields
Kelsey
Fields
6'2" | PF
Creston | 2021
State
IA
will look to lead this team this year.
Friday: Ballard (0-0) @ Dallas Center-Grimes (0-0)
In what might be the best game of the night, Ballard takes on Dallas Center-Grimes. Ballard did lose a few players to graduation but return the bulk of their team. Seniors
Molly Ihle
Molly
Ihle
5'5" | PG
Ballard | 2021
State
IA
,
Cassidy Thompson
Cassidy
Thompson
6'2" | PF
Ballard | 2021
State
IA
, and
Josie Fleischmann
Josie
Fleischmann
5'8" | SG
Ballard | 2021
State
IA
form a formidable trio in the senior class and
Brooke Loewe
Brooke
Loewe
5'7" | PG
Ballard | 2022
State
IA
and
Meg Rietz
Meg
Rietz
5'10" | SF
Ballard | 2022
State
IA
are now upperclassmen and have the ability to take over a game. This is a team that has high hopes to win a state championship this year and they start their season with a tough one. Dallas Center-Grimes does lose two talented seniors but Arkansas Tech commit
Julia Reis
Julia
Reis
5'8" | SF
Dallas Center-Grimes | 2021
State
IA
returns for her senior year and will be helped out by sophomore
Emma Miner
Emma
Miner
5'10" | SF
Dallas Center-Grimes | 2023
State
IA
, senior Lexi Protzman,junior Avery Korsching, and freshman Kayla Reis. This is a good test between two teams in 4A who could very likely find themselves at the Well in March.