Pre-season Preview: All-State First Team Predictions – 5A
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Below you will read about my top five players by position that I can foresee having a elite year during the 22′-23′ season, all while pushing their individual teams into having a successful year. Point Guard: Halli Poock Halli Poock…
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Continue ReadingBelow you will read about my top five players by position that I can foresee having a elite year during the 22′-23′ season, all while pushing their individual teams into having a successful year.
Point Guard: Halli Poock Halli Poock 5'6" | PG Waterloo West | 2023 State IA
Halli Poock Halli Poock 5’6″ | PG Waterloo West | 2023 State IA will return as one of the top point guards throughout the state of Iowa in any class as she aims to take her team back to the state championship game for a second year in a row. The intelligent, crafty guard was one of the top leaders in scoring and assists last year in the 5A class. Poock would be labeled as a scoring point guard who can pass once she creates an opportunity for her teammates. She moves well and orchestrates her offense efficiently all while controlling the pace of the game, this is a crucial attribute to obtain for the position that she plays. In the offseason Poock committed to Bradley University to play at the D1 level for the next few years to come. After this season is over there will be no doubt in anyone’s mind who the best, veteran point guard in Iowa and it’ll be Poock.
Shooting Guard: Halle Vice
Halle Vice
Halle Vice
Halle Vice committed to the University of Marquette to play basketball at the college level once her time is up at Pleasant Valley High School but before that happens she is going to show everyone why she is the real deal. The skilled scorer was a dominate leader during the 21′-22′ season for the Spartans as they went 22-3 overall, 17-1 in conference, and ended up losing in the state semi-final to the eventual state champions in the Johnston Dragons. Vice fits in the college 2 spot perfectly as she possesses good height, quickness, IQ, and some athleticism that jumps off the page. This past summer she played with 17u All Iowa Attack EYBL in attempts to win a national championship at the AAU level. Her size and shooting ability gave teams problems as they would never really have a good match up for her across the board, leading to a very productive season. This winter she will join up with her PV team with the goal of making it back to the state tournament and winning it all this year with the team on her back.
Combo Guard: Sahara Williams Sahara Williams 5'11" | SF Waterloo West | 2023 State IA
Sahara Williams Sahara Williams 5’11” | SF Waterloo West | 2023 State IA is the most versatile and skilled player in the state at the 5A level this upcoming year and she is going to show everyone why this winter once things tip off. The Oklahoma women’s basketball commit has been dominating every court that she has been stepping on these past few years and it’s not going to change this high school season. Coming off of a year where her Waterloo West High School team made it to state championship with a solid core group, they will all return once again with the same idea in mind, to win it all. Williams is the full package when it comes to a player at her age. With her god given abilities, basketball skill, and calm demeanor, Williams will show out this winter as not only one of the top shot makers in the state but one of the top players in the state. Anyone who has an opportunity to watch Waterloo West this season, I would suggest to do it. Williams and her point guard, Halli Poock Halli Poock 5’6″ | PG Waterloo West | 2023 State IA , will definitely be putting on a show.
Forward: Lillie Petersen Lillie Petersen 6'0" | PF Bettendorf | 2023 State IA
Lillie Petersen Lillie Petersen 6’0″ | PF Bettendorf | 2023 State IA didn’t really get all the appreciation she deserved for how well she played last season for Bettendorf High School. Petersen, a forward and center combo, does it all for her team in the post when she is on the floor. She is a fundamental rebounder with a very high motor accompanied with high energy. She can spread the floor out and move on the outside of the perimeter as well as working around in the post on either block. This season will be a real test of how far Petersen can take her high school team as she looks to return as the big presence she was last winter. During the summer Petersen brought in a good amount of high college interest while playing for her Quad City Shockers teams on the AAU circuit. She will strive to be as productive this season in hopes of taking her team on a journey for a state championship.
Highlights
Center: Amani Jenkins Amani Jenkins 6'2" | C Johnston | 2025 State IA
Amani Jenkins Amani Jenkins 6’2″ | C Johnston | 2025 State IA is the youngest player on this list but for good reason. She is one of the state’s top “stock risers” although she had a solid freshman campaign for Des Moines North High School. Jenkins, a skilled and shifty center, is going to be a force to be known over the next few years in the state of Iowa. She is an efficient and physical big with the skill around the hoop to grow into a high division 1 player when it’s all said and done. I had the privilege of coaching Jenkins during the Prep Hoops Top 250 camp this past fall and she did not disappoint. She “jumped off the paper” from the starting tip of the first game and didn’t slow down, showing off an impressive up-and-under move along with a solid 15 foot jump shot. After a great regular season, Jenkins will aim to keep up the momentum and make a big playoff run with Des Moines North High School for the 22′-23′ year.