Pre-Season Preview: All-State First Team Predictions – 2A
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Below you will read about my top five players by position that I can foresee having an elite campaign during the 22′-23′ season, all while pushing their individual teams into having a successful year. Point Guard: Grace Gaarde Grace Gaarde…
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Continue ReadingBelow you will read about my top five players by position that I can foresee having an elite campaign during the 22′-23′ season, all while pushing their individual teams into having a successful year.
Point Guard: Grace Gaarde Grace Gaarde 5'3" | PG Iowa City Regina | 2023 State IA
Grace Gaarde Grace Gaarde 5’3″ | PG Iowa City Regina | 2023 State IA returns for her senior year coming off of a season where herself and Iowa City-Regina made it to the state tournament, stringing together a big run once the playoffs began. This season will be much more challenging as the Regals will lose all their height in the middle but with a efficient coach and smart system, they should come out just fine. Gaarde is a scoring point guard with unselfish tendencies when it comes down to it. She has a steady jump shot with a quick release but doesn’t like to settle if she doesn’t need to. She has a strong handle while exhibiting a great pass fake when the ball is on rotation on the offensive end. This season I could see Gaarde and star freshman, Morgan Miller Morgan Miller 5’9″ | PG Iowa City Regina | 2025 State IA , lead the Regals back to the state tournament if everything falls into place for them. Their determination and hardworking attitudes will provide a crucial role in all this.
Shooting Guard: Addison Klosterbuer Addison Klosterbuer 5'9" | SG Central Lyon | 2023 State IA
Addison Klosterbuer Addison Klosterbuer 5’9″ | SG Central Lyon | 2023 State IA will come into her senior year as one of the best knock down shooters in the state of Iowa throughout all classes after an impressive season as a junior during the 21′-22′ year. While leading her Central Lyon Lions to the state championship game, Klosterbuer averaged 14 PPG on 42% shooting, including 39% from three, and 4.2 RPG. She also ranked as #1 in the 2A class in three pointers made on the season. The balanced shooting guard committed to the University Of South Dakota during her offseason and will look to make an instant impact as a lights out shooter once that time comes, but until then she will keep doing her thing and keep showing everyone what she is really about, having her game speak for itself. Central Lyon will have a good shot at making it back to the state tournament once again with the goal of winning it all in mind this time, if they can fit some pieces together and play good defense, they could do it but only time will tell.
Combo Guard: Madison Brouwer Madison Brouwer 6'0" | PF Sibley-Ocheyedan | 2023 State IA
Madison Brouwer Madison Brouwer 6’0″ | PF Sibley-Ocheyedan | 2023 State IA was the “Swiss army knife” for her Sibley-Ocheyedan High School team last year and will be once again this winter for her senior season. Brouwer, who is a dynamic 6’0 combo guard, averaged 19 PPG, 9.3 RPG, and 3 APG while leading her team to an overall 18-6 record, 14-4 in conference. She has been working hard this offseason, preparing to take her team to the state playoffs when it’s all said and done at the end of this year. Brouwer is an impressive player with the ability to pull up for a jumper or get all the way to the hoop with her height, length, and speed. She possesses a fundamental pump fake, one dribble, pull up jumper from right inside the arc while also having a good dribble, making it possible for her to put the ball on the floor and finish. When she has a smaller match up guarding her she has the ability to post up and score going over either shoulder with ease. Going forward she will strive to have a great year while propelling her team along the way. By the end of the season I’m sure all eyes will be on Madison and where she can take this program one last time.
Forward: Samantha Brandau
Samantha Brandau
Samantha Brandau
Samantha Brandau makes this list for reasons other then her offensive ability on the basketball court, but more so because of her impact on the defensive end of the floor. Brandau started all 23 games a season ago for the Osaga Green Devils and was a huge impact on the floor when it came down to getting a stop. The athletic forward controlled the paint area, grabbed 234 rebounds on the year along with blocking 73 shots and altered many more. When we look at forwards playing in the game today and we describe what we would like to see out of that player, you describe Brandau. Being a rebounder, shot blocker, and being able to finish with a good touch on the ball gives her a big advantage when she is playing. At the next level I could see her staying at the same position or even moving to the 3 spot if it seems fit.
Center: Payton Petersen Payton Petersen 5'10" | C Dike-New Hartford | 2024 State IA
Payton Petersen Payton Petersen 5’10” | C Dike-New Hartford | 2024 State IA comes in at the top spot for my center position on the year in the 2A class as a junior. The Louisville women’s volleyball commit is a dominate force down low and lets everyone know it with her strong finishes at the rim after a crafty take around her defender. Coming off of a state championship and most would be satisfied but not Petersen, as she will attempt to pair up with her sister for another go at it all again. Petersen is an “high-ceiling” player who can play the forward or center position depending on the style of team play being had. She can finish on both sides of the hoop, can out-jump most, and isn’t shy of contact. As her future isn’t on the basketball court going into college, it’ll still be fun to watch these sisters attempt to lead their Wolverines team back to the state championship for the second year in a row.