State Champions And Their Leaders Looking To Repeat

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>During the 2021-2022 season we watched many games be played, witnessed teams celebrating in both victory and defeat, and took notice who competed at their highest level. No one wants to end their season with a loss but only a select few each year can be named Iowa Women's High School Basketball State Champions. There are several great programs out there who didn't make this list but may have better chances overall to win it this year, who knows? Here is your returning champions and the journey that lies in from of them to repeat during the 2022-2023 season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>1A: Bishop Garrigan High School </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bishop Garrigan returns this winter with the #1 ranked player in the state in [player_tooltip player_id='63019' first='Audi' last='Crooks'] as their center after they completed their state run with a win last season and finished the year 25-3, 16-0 in conference. It looks like the Golden Bears will have a high percentage to make the state playoff and return to the state championship once again with only graduating 2 major contributors from last year. These contributor only accounted for 15% of their teams total shot attempts. With the likes Crooks, [player_tooltip player_id='63033' first='Molly' last='Joyce'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1207380' first='Zoe' last='Montag'], Bishop Garrigan is in good shape to make a big run during the playoffs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_635c619e40824","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["63019"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='63019' first='Audi' last='Crooks'] will return as the force in the middle of the Golden Bears as they attempt to repeat. Crooks, The Iowa State Women's Basketball commit, is a skill center with great passing abilities. Last year she averaged 23.5 PPG and 12.5 RPG for her junior season while the offense rotated around her, on the way to becoming a state champ.  This year, with the returning of herself and some other key pieces, they will be in a prime spot to make another run once state begins.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["63033"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='63033' first='Molly' last='Joyce'] is the passing presence that Bishop Garrigan will need if they want to be back to back champions. With Crooks in the middle, the team needs a facilitator and last year that was Joyce. She averaged 18.5 PPG, and dished out 4.9 APG as the Golden Bears primary ball handler. Joyce had a successful AAU summer season and will be in ideal shape to help Crooks dominate this season.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":2,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"edit","anchor":"acf-block-67c2362bbd026"} /--> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>2A: Dike-New Hartford High School </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dike-New Hartford won the state championship after a hard fought battle against Central Lyon last year, giving the Wolverines an overall 25-5 record, 8-0 in conference. Becoming champions in your conference and state are successful accomplishments to say the least but [player_tooltip player_id='314094' first='Payton' last='Petersen'] and [player_tooltip player_id='160553' first='Ellary' last='Knock'] won't be satisfied in their triumphs as they will push to return back on top during the 22'-23' season. They will return 3 of 5 starters from a year ago, giving them a solid returning line up. This season will be a bit more challenging as they loss their top distributor in Sophia Hoffmann. If they can make up for Hoffmann's absence and figure things out, they will be a force to be reckoned with. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_635c75a58b223","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["314094"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='314094' first='Payton' last='Petersen'] played the 3-5 position on the way to leading the Dike-New Hartford Wolverines to an overall 25-5 record, 8-0 in conference and state champions. Petersen, on the inside, averaged 18 PPG and 9.1 RPG. For the 22'-23' season the star forward will be asked to play the center position on a more consistent basis as the Wolverines will graduate their primary center from a year ago. Payton along with the help of Jaydn Petersen, and [player_tooltip player_id='160553' first='Ellary' last='Knock'] will strive to come back just as strong this season, as they will have the tough task to return and win it all once again.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["160553"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='160553' first='Ellary' last='Knock'] started 26 of 27 games last year on the way to becoming a state champion. The forward/center played a pivotal rule in the success of her team during the 21'-22' season and hopes to do the same this season as they attempt to repeat. Knock played an inside presence while averaging 10.7 PPG, 5 RPG, 1.7 APG, and 1.8 SPG during her junior year. The combination of Knock and [player_tooltip player_id='314094' first='Payton' last='Petersen'] as the 4 and 5 became a big advantage last winter, as the duo realized early on that most, if any, teams couldn't guard both of them at the same time, leaving a mismatch for one of the two. This style of play made Dike-New Hartford nearly impossible to guard at the 2A level. Looking at this upcoming winter with Knock's physicality down low and shooting capabilities, [player_tooltip player_id='314094' first='Payton' last='Petersen']s all around game, and returning 2 solid shooters, the Wolverines should have a good shot of making the state tournament once again.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":2,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"edit","anchor":"acf-block-67c2362bbd0a6"} /--> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>3A: Estherville Lincoln Central High School</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Estherville Lincoln Central was the complete package last year when it came to competing at the highest level, having a mixture of shooters, scorers, facilitators, rebounders, defenders, and experience. The Midgets ended their season with a 26-10 record overall, 10-0 in conference. They will attempt to keep their winning streak alive once the 22'-23' season kickoff after winning their last 14 games last year including the state championship. Coming in to this season there will be some questions they will need to figure out if they want the same results as last season after losing their lead shot taker from a year ago. The returning of their star point guard in [player_tooltip player_id='311389' first='Haylee' last='Stokes'], senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='127629' first='Jordyn' last='Stokes'], and junior Jasey Anderson should fair well from them in the long run. If they can find a rhythm early and take it into the playoffs, the sky is the limit. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_6361654e073b8","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["311389"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"One of the best the best freshman in the state last year was [player_tooltip player_id='311389' first='Haylee' last='Stokes'], on her way to becoming a state champion she averaged 16.8 PPG and 3.1 APG. Stokes is a complete guard with an advanced skillset for her age. She is a righty with the tendency to dribble left first and finish on the left side of the hoop if possible. She possesses a solid hesitation dribble and the ability to shoot, this makes it hard for defenses to stop the high scoring star. Stokes had a record amount of free throw attempts last year while going 124 of 158 from the free throw line. Something I  would like to see is what happens when she is forced to shoot jump shots and is unable to get to the basket at will. Each game that I have seen her compete in wether it be high school, AAU, or just practicing is that she can get to the hoop whenever she wants to with her effective dribble. As she grows as a player it will be interesting to see what else she can do.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["127629"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='127629' first='Jordyn' last='Stokes'] will re-join the Midgets for her senior year after an impressive junior campaign, ending in her scoring 9 points in the state championship game which added up to 20% of their scoring as they won 44-30 over Ballard High School. Stokes averaged 7.4 PPG and 2.2 RPG during the 21'-22' season to help her team win it all. She has been working hard in the off-season and will look to help accomplish the same this year by expanding her game to another level. Being the starting 2 guard, she will strive to become a better jump shooter and u0022find her spotsu0022 more. She is a quick guard with good IQ around the basket to make the right decision, if there is another thing that will help her add to her u0022bagu0022, it's the ability to shoot/score the ball from all three levels, making defenses play true to their spots and not letting them over-help on [player_tooltip player_id='311389' first='Haylee' last='Stokes'], their point guard, once she beats her defender and drives.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":2,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"edit","anchor":"acf-block-67c2362bbd11b"} /--> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>4A: Xavier High School </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When you talk about the more "unlikely" state championships from the 21'-22' season you would have to include the Xavier Saints from Cedar Rapids. The Saints made a big push once the playoffs started last year and ended up coming out on top as the champions after beating Bishop Heelan High School 54-40. Don't let this final score fool you, as the teams were tied going into the final seven minutes of the game and the Saints ended up winning the fourth quarter 21-7, because of a big final five minutes from senior Lexi Beier, and freshman [player_tooltip player_id='311363' first='Libby' last='Fandel']. This season will be a bit more challenging as Fandel will be given the opportunity to take over for the Saints as they will lose about half of their shot attempts from last season because of graduating players. Now Fandel and center Kyla Mason will be in charge of leading this team in hopes of going to back to the state tournament. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_63616cee073ba","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["311363"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='311363' first='Libby' last='Fandel'] crushed her competition as a freshman for Xavier High School, averaging 13 PPG, 5.2 RPG, and 2.1 APG. The overall combo guard does everything for her team when she is on the floor. She can score, pass, defend and rebound mixed with a really nice shooting stroke from deep. Fandel, who just committed to All Iowa Attack EYBL for next summer, has an act of efficiency on the offensive end. Being able to get a bucket in any way needed of her team to be successful, but also selfless enough to pass when a teammate is open. This is an ability not many posses, especially at this young of an age. As she gets older and gets more strength it is going to be scary of what Fandel is capable of becoming on the basketball court.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_1_player_details_player_name":"Kyla Mason","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_1_player_details_graduating_class":"2023","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_1_player_details_height":"6'1u0022","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_1_player_details_position":"12122","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_1_player_details_school":"Cedar Rapids Xavier ","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_1_player_details_club_team":"Team Iowa","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_1_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Kyla Mason is a great rebounder with the physicality she shows in the paint against her opponents. The true power forward averaged 10 PPG and 5.2 RPG last year for the Saints. Mason, who plays in the middle for most of her teams, has the ability to bring the ball out and run action on the perimeter as she knows when to screen and roll in most situations. When it comes to being physically strong, there aren't many stronger and more coordinated than her in the pain, as she can finish at the rim with either hand and through contact if necessary. With the returning of Fandel and Mason, the Saints will have another successful season but will it end in a state championship? Only time will tell.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":2,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"edit","anchor":"acf-block-67c2362bbd198"} /--> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>5A: Johnston High School </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There was only one state champion last year on the girls side who went undefeated for their entire season and that was the Johnston High School Dragons, posting an impressive record of 26-0, 8-0 in conference. The Dragons lead by their impressive senior class put up some crazy stat lines during the 21'-22' season, but the number that really stands out is their scoring advantage over the teams that they competed against, outscoring their opponents by a combined 823 points. That averages out to about 32 points a game. This year they will have to find scoring as their three leading seniors who made 46.7% of their shots last season, have graduated. To follow up such a year in the same way is almost impossible but with some experience returning in Alli Tank, [player_tooltip player_id='63051' first='Molly' last='Noelck'], [player_tooltip player_id='246101' first='Aaliyah' last='Riley'] and the addition of freshman Jenica Raine, the Dragons will look to make it happen. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_6361868a073bc","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["246101"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='246101' first='Aaliyah' last='Riley'] will look at take the Dragons on a journey to the state playoff once again after being their starting point guard a year ago. Riley is a pass first point guard who gets baskets by working smarter, not harder. She averaged 6.9 PPG, 3 RPG, and 3.2 APG as the main facilitator but will step more into the limelight as this season moves forward. She will have to attempt to make scoring more of a primary option for herself with the lack of experience her team will have to start the year. That being said, I expect to see all of her numbers rise for her senior season, with the returning players and scoring they have coming in the 2026 class, she will still have plenty of options to pass to once they get some games in the rear view.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["63051"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='63051' first='Molly' last='Noelck'] didn't start a game her junior year for the Dragons but came off the bench to make a huge scoring difference later in the game. The knock down sharp shooter averaged 8.7 PPG, 1.9 RPG, and shot 45.6% from the three point line on 114 attempts to lead her team. Noelck will look to come into the starting role this winter and build off the momentum she had last year, making an impact as a shooter. Even though the seniors from last year made all the difference for the Dragons, they will have some good experience coming off their bench in the form of shooters, rebounders, and defenders.  They will have a good chance to piece it together and compete once again during the 22'-23' season.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_2_player_details_player_name":"Jenica Raine","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_2_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_2_player_details_height":"5'10u0022","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_2_player_details_position":"12121","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_2_player_details_school":"Johnston","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_2_player_details_club_team":"Pure Prep AAU","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_2_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"All eyes this season will be on incoming freshman Jenica Raine, who has been receiving national recognition since a very young age for her outstanding abilities on the basketball court. Raine already has 20+ D1, high level offers at the age of 14 and it isn't planning on slowing down anytime soon. I had the chance to watch her compete a handful of times this past summer and she really is everything you see written about her. She can score with anyone in the country, can defend, can rebound, and is an elite passer with great handles. The combo guard will join up with the Dragons for her freshman year and will step into a starting role immediately in attempts to be the scoring machine that she is made out to be.  Coming into the season as one of the best players in the country usually brings a lot of pressure onto young players but I think in this case, everything will be fine for Raine and the Dragons. We just need to sit back and enjoy the show.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":3,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"edit","anchor":"acf-block-67c2362bbd243"} /-->