Pre-season Preview: All-State First Team Predictions – 4A
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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: Jenna Hopp Jenna Hopp…
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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: Jenna Hopp Jenna Hopp 5'11" | SG Glenwood | 2023 State IA
Jenna Hopp Jenna Hopp 5’11” | SG Glenwood | 2023 State IA was the undeniable leader of Glenwood High School last season on the way to state where they fell just short of winning it all. She will return this season in a similar position but with much more asked of her, as they have graduated a good amount of players from a year ago. The South Dakota State women’s basketball commit will be in charge of running the offense and responsible for a good amount of the scoring her team will need to do this season to propel them into a favorable position as the playoffs approach. When it comes to the best point guard in the 4A class there are a lot of good players to consider but if you pair her basketball skill set, what she has done previously, and the work she has put in going into her senior year, she has done everything to put herself in a position to shine once again. Making herself and her teammates better each game.
Shooting Guard: Callie Levin Callie Levin 5'10" | PG Solon | 2024 State IA
Callie Levin Callie Levin 5’10” | PG Solon | 2024 State IA committed to Iowa after her freshman year at Solon High School, showing off to high D1 scouts that at a very young age she was skilled above her years. As she has grown up, so has her game, adding new pieces in the offseason to be an elite player in all facets. This season for her junior year she will return as the main focus for defenses as the Spartans will strive to make it to the state tournament. Levin is a pure shooting guard who will play the same position at the next level for the Hawkeyes. When it comes to her high school play style she does a little bit of everything. She has the ability to bring up the ball and handle or play the off guard position. In my opinion she is at her best when she is able to play the 2 spot, when a point guard can create an open look for her. After being one of the top players in 4A last season and currently being ranked the #2 player in the Top 75 rankings for the class of 2024, Levin will look to have another great season and show off why she is the best at her position.
Highlights
Combo Guard: Libby Fandel Libby Fandel 5'11" | SF Cedar Rapids Xavier | 2025 State IA
Libby Fandel Libby Fandel 5’11” | SF Cedar Rapids Xavier | 2025 State IA was the MVP of her Cedar Rapids-Xavier High School team during the regular season and during their playoff run last season, where they went all the way to becoming state champs. Fandel at the high school level currently can fit into the rotation at the 2 or 3 spot because of her size and shooting ability. If her team needs her to be a shooter and play more of a stand still role she has the ability to do so while possessing a balanced jumper with a high release. If they need her to be more of an attacking presence and get to the hoop after beating her defender off the dribble, she can do that too. Her impressive play from last seasons state championship run and over the summer with Team Iowa 15u Blue Star AAU has gotten her invited to play with All Iowa Attack EYBL 17u for her sophomore – junior summer. This gives her the opportunity to show her skillset at the highest AAU level throughout Iowa over the next few seasons. The Xavier Saints will lose a lot of seniority coming into this winter but I’m sure that Fandel will pick up the slack and show that she is one of the best players in the 2025 class.
Forward: Ava Locklear Ava Locklear 5'11" | SF Clear Creek Amana | 2024 State IA
Center: Lauren Golinghorst
Lauren Golinghorst
Lauren Golinghorst
Lauren Golinghorst comes into this season as one of the top players that you may not know about but will soon find out about this season. Being a versatile athlete around the basket with a wide stance and strong shoulders makes Golinghorst a dominate center for the North Scott Lady Lancers, as well as any team she will play for. During her junior season she lead her Lancers team in points and rebounds and will try to do so again during the 22′-23′ season. Over the summer she did well at Nike TOC with her Team Iowa 17u Blue Star team, showing that she is a competitor with a high motor and even higher ceiling. The steps that she took this past year should get herself some recognition from the college level over the next year. It’ll be fun to see who comes into play once she shows this season how dominate she really can be over everyone else in the post position.