PGH Circuit Team Preview: Iowa Prep (U17 & U16)
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The final preview for the Legacy Region I’m working on will be the first time I talk about kids outside of Wisconsin. These are some of the kids that Iowa Prep will have playing on the PGH Circuit this coming season.
U17
Sam McDonald-5’7 G-’23-Dubuque Senior
The 5-foot-7 guard is a disruptive defender at the point of attack, in a zone, or in straight-up one-on-one defense. She also has a comfort playing around pressure defense. McDonald’s isn’t going to make too many glaring mistakes.
Bryar Duwe Bryar Duwe 5'7" | PG Decorah | 2023 State IA -5’6 G-’23-Decorah
Duwe is a solid two-way guard. The Decorah native is a solid shooter at the high school level and will punish defenses that give her space on the perimeter. She will also play solid defense on the perimeter.
Lainey Pilcher-5’8 G-’23-Jesup
When you see Pilcher, you’ll notice her length. The Jesup wing will jump passing lanes and create turnovers with her anticipation. She will surprise some offensive guards with the kind of range she possesses.
Andrea Lopreato Andrea Lopreato 5'9" | SF Mount Pleasant | 2023 IA -5’9 G-’23-Mount Pleasant
The first time I watched her film on hudl, her ball-handling sticks out. Lopreato excels in transition and finds open teammates. She will also be able to punish defenses when given space to shoot.
Ryanne Hansen-5’6 G-’23-Center Point-Urbana
A two-sport athlete from Center Point-Urbana, her athleticism will shine this summer. Hansen has the balance to help her play excellent defense, both on and off the ball. Expect to see her make plays on that end.
Josie Potts Josie Potts 5'6" Dubuque | 2023 IA -5’6 G-’23-Dubuque Senior
If you want to see some tape of Potts’ mistakes, you’ll see a blank screen. The junior will hardly ever make mistakes, and she’ll chip in everywhere. She’s a solid all-around player that will make every one of her teammates look better.
Ella Bockenstedt Ella Bockenstedt 6'0" | PF Marion | 2023 State IA -6’0 F-’23-Marion
The Marion wing is a super skilled 6-foot-wing. Bockenstedt is a good scorer around the rim and can stretch the floor with some 3-point shooting. Her size will also help her guard in space, specifically with quicker guards.
Nicole Rick-5’11 F-’23-Center Point-Urbana
Rick is a forward who provides a lot of space for guards to operate. The forward doesn’t mind stepping out and making perimeter jumpers to get defenses to respect her as a shooter.
Anna Kruse-5’6 G-’23-Dubuque Senior
The Dubuque guard is on the shorter side but makes things happen. Kruse will work well in space and make good decisions with the ball. She will help her team in regards to winning a great deal.
U16
Ellie Daubenmier-5’9 G-’24-Linn-mar
The sophomore is a talented shooter, first and foremost. Daubenmier will get plenty of looks in a summer setting. She could shine this summer. Although her shot looks a little funny, I believe in it.
Isabella Tafolla-5’6 G-’24-Iowa City Liberty
The Iowa City native is a talented two-sport athlete. Her track background will help her excel in transition. Tafolla’s athleticism will open eyes this summer.
Kahlie Hill Kahlie Hill 6'3" | C Calamus-Wheatland | 2024 State IA -6’0 F-’24-Calmus-Wheatland
Hill will be crucial in kick-starting Iowa Prep’s transition game. Rebounding is critical to having a transition game, and people don’t talk about it enough. If this team plays well, Hill will be a good barometer.
Camdyn Kay Camdyn Kay 5'10" | CG Dubuque Hempstead | 2024 State IA -5’10 G/F-’24-Dubuque Hempstead
The Dubuque native is a talented scorer. Kay is a solid shooter and will take advantage in space. The sophomore also does an excellent job of scoring over taller kids in the paint in different ways.
Charlotte Gettman-5’9 G-’24-Waterloo West
The Waterloo West guard will probably use this summer wisely. She plays on a high school team with three uber-talented kids. She’s a rangy kid who will be able to make plays on both ends of the floor.
Laynee Hogan Laynee Hogan 5'9" | PG East Buchanan | 2025 State IA -5’7 G-’25-East Buchannan
The thing that will jump out about Hogan’s game is how well-rounded of a scorer she is at her age. The freshman is a three-level scorer who is already comfortable getting to her spots. She knows she can punish the defense with patience.
Alivia Carr-5’10 G/F-’25-Bettendorf
The Bettendorf forward is short for forwards who you’d think rebounds at a high level. However, her motor runs high, and she can chase down rebounds. Carr will also finish around the rim at a high level.
Mila Van Weelden Mila Van Weelden 5'9" | SG Marion | 2024 State IA -5’9 G-’24-Marion
When you see her play, you can see the outline of a senior leader as a sophomore. Van Weelden is a good communicator and helps her teammates get into positions to succeed. She’s a solid scorer and will excel this summer.
Emma Townsley Emma Townsley 5'7" | PG Benton | 2024 State IA -5’7 G-’24-Benton Community
The shooting that Townsley possesses will help guards on this team excel. When defenses have to respect shooters, it changes how they play. Townsley’s ability to consistently punish help-side defenses will make this team better.