Winter Break-Down: (5A) Teams To Know Going Forward

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the state of Iowa there are several great teams and programs to be known, stretching over all classes throughout the entire state. Below I will be highlighting a handful of these teams and who I think everyone should know returning from winter break. From what I have seen thus far these teams all have a solid chance to make a statement once playoffs begin. Enjoy</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Favorite To Win It All: Johnston Dragons</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Returning as the favorite to win it all after being a state championship just one year ago is the Johnston Dragons and for good reason. Coming out of break the Dragons will be 10-0 with almost too many weapons on their roster, if that is such a thing. The amount of experience and depth that this program holds on the girls side is impressive, with 7-10 players who would start and contribute at a high level in any other program in the state without question. Before break this team really hasn't had much competition on the court other than in a contest in which they just did not play like themselves but still ended up winning but 5+ points. It'll get real interesting once the playoffs start but I expect for us to be seeing the Dragons in Des Moines once again on their way to the state championship game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["63027"],"_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='63027' first='Emma' last='Hampton'] flys under the radar on this Dragons team as maybe not the best player but definitely an individual who is note worthy and could bring a lot of good to a solid college program in the future. I would describe Hampton as a hard worker with a high motor on both sides of the floor, an efficient player with a soft touch and fundamental footwork near the hoop who possesses the ability to stretch the floor past the 3 point line for her team. On her current Dragons team she comes in as the third or fourth option on offense with all the talent she is surrounded with but in 90% of other programs around the state she would be a stand-out, first option scorer. This is not a slight against Hampton as the few players in front of her are either high division 1 commits or high division 1 prospects. It'll be fun to see the second half of this year for this team while getting close to the playoffs as teams will start to really hone in their teams best players, which will leave a lot of opportunity for Emma and with her scoring ability, we could see some big second half of the season games from her.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63adef5803a63"} /--> <!-- wp:heading {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <h2 class="has-medium-font-size">Next-Best: Waterloo West </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When speaking about power house teams in high school basketball Waterloo West is definitely one that we should be mentioning. I think that the team with the best chance of de-throwning the Johnston Dragons is this Waterloo West team, as they have the star power in [player_tooltip player_id='127635' first='Sahara' last='Williams'] and a veteran bench to really make it challenging on the Dragons through out the entirety of a game. West is also undefeated with an overall 8-0 record coming out of break and will attempt to keep that going all the way throughout the season. I am really hoping that these two teams meet either in the playoffs in Des Moines or in the state championship game as this would easily be the game of the year in women's high school basketball in Iowa for the 22'-23' season in my opinion but until then West will do it's thing and take care of business one game at a time. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["127635"],"_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":"When you speak about Waterloo West and basketball, the name [player_tooltip player_id='127635' first='Sahara' last='Williams'] will always come up. Williams, the University of Oklahoma women's commit, has been doing her thing this season and showing out to help her squad start this season undefeated going into break at 8-0. Williams is a difference maker, a complete game changer. Plain and Simple. She is a versatile athlete with an extremely high basketball IQ who prides herself on working harder than everyone else in the room. She gets it done on both ends of the floor by scoring the ball at an efficient and high rate while also being a menace on defense to her opponents.  Not to mention that she has good speed, a solid handle, and can finish through contact in the post. If West does get the match-up to face the Dragons at some point it'll be interesting to see who guards Williams and how they attempt to slow her down. Again, if this match-up does occur, it could go down as one of the best games ever played in Iowa high school women's basketball and that says a lot about the athletes that would be in this contest. I can't remember a time where there were debatably 5-8 D1 players competing in a high school setting.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63adef5803b01"} /--> <!-- wp:heading {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <h2 class="has-medium-font-size">Underdog With A Chance: Ankeny Centennial</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ankeny Centennial enters the winter break with a 8-3 record but don't let that fool you, this team can compete and can come out on top on any given day. The Jaguars, who have had a challenging schedule up until this point, have been balling this year and flying under the radar while doing it. In the losses this season the Jaguars were outscored by a combined 11 points in three games thus far, showing how close they were in each contest. This is a team that has a good amount of star power across the board in Kennedy White, [player_tooltip player_id='311360' first='Jaeden' last='Pratt'], and [player_tooltip player_id='311377' first='Mya' last='Crawford']. These three players along with some of their teammates could make some waves once playoffs begin if they really start to click before the end of the year, which is 100% possible. I'll be curious to see where they are seeded to start the playoffs and who else is in their regional because of it's another 5A power-house, it could be a battle to get out of that region for either team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Kennedy White","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2023","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"12124","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Ankeny Centennial","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Kennedy White has been the scoring leader for the Jaguars thus far this season while also contributing in most other categories on the stat sheet as well. White, an efficient shooting guard, has been shooting lights out this year and showing how much of a positive impact she can be on the younger stars around her in [player_tooltip player_id='311377' first='Mya' last='Crawford'] and [player_tooltip player_id='311360' first='Jaeden' last='Pratt']. These three combined on any given night can put up a high amount of points while playing some stifling defense with White at the front of the charge. I think that this team, once playoffs start, can really make a run and come out of nowhere against some teams. Losing early on in the season and even once right before the playoffs can be good for programs as it humbles the players and seems to make everyone else lock in a bit more, really showing how important each and every game is in the long run. White and the Jaguars have done that this year, bouncing back after every loss. This could be the difference between going to the state playoff or not at the end of the season during important games but we will just have to wait and see.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63adef5803c22"} /--> <!-- wp:heading {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <h2 class="has-medium-font-size">Sleeper Out Of Nowhere: Des Moines North</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's hard for me to put this team in this category but when you compare records, individual rosters, each teams system and their recent history, I think it would be a long shot for Des Moines to win it all this season but it's not out of the question by any means. Des Moines North goes into break at 6-2 with their two losses coming to some of the big-name teams I have listed above. With the star power of Elizabeth Pout and [player_tooltip player_id='311351' first='Amani' last='Jenkins'], it's possible that on any evening those two could become "unconscious" and go off for 60+ points and in a win. What this team needs is another player to step up. If they can have another teammate to step up in the second half of this year and be dominate along sides with their other two stars, it'll help them in the long run as some of the teams they will eventually have to face will have a deep bench presence. I am anticipating North to get to their regional championship at the least and make it competitive with a shot at state, if they can do that then they could really make a big push at the state tournament. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["311351"],"_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='311351' first='Amani' last='Jenkins'] has been one of the best players in the post all season, helping her team to overall success going into break this year. Jenkins, a big time name and player as only a sophomore, is averaging 19 PPG and 11.4 RPG for her squad. It's fun to watch Jenkins play as she just has so many options and moves in the middle against her competition. She does great job finishing on either side of the hoop with either hand, welcomes and creates contact, and loves to get her teammates involved when she can. She is very good at rebounding the ball and taking it coast to coast for a finish on the offensive end when she can. Match-up wise I don't think that anyone can guard her in the post one on one but as the season wears on, teams will start to double or even triple her so that she will pass it to an open teammate. Forcing her teammates score the ball to win the game in the end. If her teammates can knock down some shots and their two stars play well, watch out.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63adef5803cd3"} /-->