Pre-Season Predictions: All-Team Seniors – Part 1
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Kaliyah Sain IA #6 SF #2 HEIGHT 5'10" POS SF CLASS 2023 View Player Boost Profile Download Image Kaliyah Sain Class 2023 Position SF Height 5'10" HS Cedar Rapids Kennedy | IA Pre-Season Predictions: All-Team Seniors – Part 1…
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Continue ReadingKaliyah Sain Kaliyah Sain 5’10” | SF Cedar Rapids Kennedy | 2023 State IA returns as the star of the show for the Cedar Rapids-Kennedy Cougars. The skilled combo guard is coming off of a great junior season as well as a great AAU summer with Team Iowa . Sain is a difference maker on the floor with her size, speed, athletic ability, and basketball skill. She is a match up nightmare for any forward trying to guard her on the perimeter, while also having an extra step against smaller guards because of her length. She can shoot the ball with a consistent high release and plays aggressive trying to get to the hoop. She doesn’t settle for bad shots and is good about making the right choice, wether it results in a bucket for herself or a teammate. This year will be a real test for Sain as she will be more of the focus for teams the Cougars play after the loss of a few key seniors from last year. She has been working hard in the offseason and will look to show her elevated game starting in the next few weeks.
The Cedar Rapids-Jefferson Jayhawks bring in a new coach and a new system for their 22′-23′ season in hopes of putting together a foundation to continue the growth of their program and the year that lies ahead. Under command will be starting point guard Emma Slings Emma Slings 5’9″ | PG Jefferson | 2023 State IA . Slings is a diverse guard who is an all time leader when the ball is in her possession. She posses the ability to dribble with either hand strategically and under pressure, has good court vision, passes well, and can shoot from any range. The biggest part of her game in regards to her team play is how she stays in control and makes sure everyone is in the right spots or running the correct sets. She has solid scoring abilities with a blow by dribble or a pull up jumper but this does not define her game. She seems to take pride in dishing out assists as much as she does scoring the ball. This season for her senior year she will join back with the Jayhawks in hopes of having a better overall season and turning things around for the future of the program.
Lillie Petersen Lillie Petersen 6’0″ | PF Bettendorf | 2023 State IA will look to return as one of the top forwards in the state for her senior year as she comes back to Bettendorf High School for one more go around. Petersen, an athletic forward with fundamental footwork, dominated her competition on the AAU level with her Quad Cities Shockers team each week this summer and she especially showed out at Nike TOC in Chicago. Showing off her skill in the post rebounding and scoring at all three levels, this brought a lot of interest to Petersen as she played her game. She will be put in the position of having a great season with the only thing being able to slow her down being herself. With the post moves that she obtains, mixed with the footwork, IQ, and physicality to finish through contact, she should dominate her competition once again in hopes of making a big run once playoffs are around.
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Unity Christian High School lost in the 3A state championship one season ago, being led by junior Gracie Schoonhoven Gracie Schoonhoven 5’11” | PF Unity Christian | 2023 State IA . Schoonhoven had the most impressive stat line maybe out of all players in Iowa last year across all categories, doing a little bit of everything for her team. This season will be looked on as a “revenge” tour, as the Knights bring back a very experienced roster and a star in Schoonhoven. The 5’11 forward is an all around baller. She plays hard on both ends of the floor, plays smart whenever she is in the game, and plays consistent overall, leading her to put up massive numbers in every category this past year. When she gets into college she has the perfect skill set to play a 2 or 3 guard depending on the competition. Being her upcoming senior year, it’ll be fun to see what this Unity Christian team can put together as they come in as this seasons 3A favorite to win it all. Schoonhoven will be herself and if her teammates can add to it, they will do some big things together.