Iowa Playoff Performers 5A: Recap Week 2

5A basketball in region play this year didn’t have many close games or upsets to report this year. The class is full of power city schools that have a lot of talented players on each bench. In the lower classes, you only see one or two players on each team. To win out in 5A you have to have solid post play and defense will be the key this year. Every team can score in bunches so it looks to be an exciting 5A battle this year. Lot’s of young talent looking to show they can hang. Jaden Pratt - Freshman - Ankeny Centennial - Long hybrid forward who can post up well. Plays very aggressive and strong when she gets in the game. Ball hawk who rebounds with force. Pratt has a lot of upside and only will grow in her game. She will be the spark the Jaquars need to make a state championship happen. Arriana Jackson - Junior - Des Moines Roosevelt -  Plays well within the game doesn’t force tough shots. Sprints the court well. She will have to lock down her matchup and score big for Roosevelt to get past the first round. Hybrid stretch forward. [player_tooltip player_id="311385" first="Reagan" last="Pagniano"] - Freshman - Pleasant Valley - The All Iowa Attack guard gets picks at a high rate. Can shoot the three ball well and is going to be the impact player for spartans. Very shakey. Tough to the rim player who can finish well. [player_tooltip player_id="129046" first="Emma" last="Gipple"] - Senior - Dowling Catholic - Big time rebounder and post player. Emma has a solid shot blocking game and is a pest at all times on defense. Her strong play inside and protecting the rim for Dowling will be key for Catholic to make it out of the first round. Kelsey Joen’s - Junior - Iowa City High - The third Joens sister to commit to Iowa State. The junior looks to lead. The 6 foot attack guard is very polished and almost scored 500 points this season. Aggresive on both ends of the court she looks to get buckets. Look for her play to get High past the first round. [player_tooltip player_id="127622" first="Halli" last="Poock"] - Junior - Waterloo West - She’s a walking bucket. Highlights all over youtube. Halli’s game is super strong and polished. Like a pitbull on defense she gets a lot of steals and can score at any level. West will ride her sassy game and make some noise if she can play well. [player_tooltip player_id="314159" first="Elan" last="Litt"] - Sophomore - Valley - Valley’s difference maker to me. Elan is a young strong guard who isn’t afraid of anyone. She get’s you a lot of turnovers with her constant pressure and her game is growing very well. Look for her to make a difference for the tiger’s throughout the playoffs. [player_tooltip player_id="63051" first="Molly" last="Noelck"] - Junior - Johnston - Great court vision and presence on the court. This long hybrid forward can defend the post and get you blocks or guard a stretch and get you picks. Great catch and shoot three point game. Johnston is loaded with talent and are my favorite this year. Molly plays big and her team wont have any issues taking state.