5A: State Qualifiers – Seeds 1-3

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last night the teams of the 5A class punched their tickets to the state tournament in Des Moines beginning on Monday, February 27th. This is a huge accomplishment for all of these programs but nobody is going to be satisfied until they are holding up the championship trophy in the end. This article is going to highlight the teams who have advanced up until this point and some of their players, enjoy!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>#1 - Pleasant Valley (23-0) </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pleasant Valley qualified for the state tournament after putting together an undefeated season at 23-0 and dominating their regional with ease, winning the championship game 52-17 on Tuesday evening. This team is led by Marquette commit [player_tooltip player_id='545645' first='Halle' last='Vice'] and star guard [player_tooltip player_id='311385' first='Reagan' last='Pagniano'], a duo that has really come together to lead this group throughout this season. They will be matched up with the #8 seed Des Moines-Valley in their first round matchup on Monday afternoon at 1:30 PM. A game that I will be in attendance for and eager to see how it plays out. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["545645"],"_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='545645' first='Halle' last='Vice'] has had another standout year after solidifying her future and committing to Marquette in the offseason. She has been a playmaker, leader, and consistent player in every facet of the game this season to help her team stay undefeated thus far. Vice is frankly a matchup problem at this level. The games that were the closest for them this season in score were against other team with long and athletic stars so until someone can matchup with her 1 on 1 and slow her down, it's going to be a hard matchup to face. The Spartans get a lot of production from a lot of different places, this is going to have to be factored in for other teams when they put together a defense game-plan. If you overplay on [player_tooltip player_id='545645' first='Halle' last='Vice'] then they have other options that can beat you on the offensive end of the floor. I expect Halle to keep up her production during the quarter-finals and semi's, with it becoming more difficult in the championship, if they can get there.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["311385"],"_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='311385' first='Reagan' last='Pagniano'] took a huge step in the right direction this season and has been a fantastic piece for this program in several different aspects. She has been the #2 scoring option that this group so desperately needed, she has been their best guard on the perimeter, she has been a menace on the defensive side of the ball, an mores she has been a great teammate to those around her. She makes good choices for the most part and it has really made a difference in the long run for this team. She is going to keep moving without the ball, finding her spots, and making open shots. I'm excited to see her do all this on the biggest stage with some of the brightest lights. I'm sure she, and this group, will not disappoint.","_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":"Jessie Clemmons ","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_2_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_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":"Pleasant Valley ","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_2_player_details_club_team":"","_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":"Jessie Clemons has been the third player in the Spartans trio of offensive weapons and play-makers this season and is hoping to keep up that production going into their first state-playoff game next week. Clemons has been solid. Doing everything asked of her, contributing on both sides of the floor, and competing as hard as she can when she is out there. She may not be the main option in this offense but she gets her own in a variety of ways. She has quick hands, leading to her 102 steals this year and does a good job of assisting others as well, dishing out 61 in their 23 games. Clemons is going to have to step up big time now as things get more challenging, competition wise. Everyone is more efficient, more prepared, and more seasoned at this point so it's either now or never. Survive and Advance.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":3,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63f67f5b0f091"} /--> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>#2 - Johnston Dragons (22-1)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Johnston Dragons come into the state tournament was only one loss on their record but that loss has pushed the Dragons to the #2 seed in this bracket and in the overall class rankings. Possessing a star studded cast with a bunch of quality players isn't always the easiest thing to balance but the Dragons have done a good job of finding what works out best for them and putting that product out on the court for everyone to see thus far this season. This is a group that has been extremely relevant when it comes to state playoff appearances the past few seasons and that trend is going to continue. They have a diverse team with a big roster ranging from freshman to senior. A team that on any given night could have a player go off for the game of their season/career. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["246121"],"_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":"It's hard to name only one main leader of a team like this but if I was going to I would defiantly say this season it has been [player_tooltip player_id='246121' first='Aili' last='Tanke']. Tanke, the Iowa State women's basketball commit has been consistent and efficient once again this season for her Dragons team while helping some of their younger stars really grow and shine. Throughout their 23 games she is leading her team with 15.5 PPG and 9 RPG while shooting 88% from the free throw line. It's pretty impressive to have the chance to average a double-double throughout an entire season and Tanke will have that opportunity. A versatile player who loves contact and finishing near the hoop. When looking at her overall game it's going to be fun to watch her transition to the college level and compete when her high school career is said and done. She has a play-style that I think could really fit in well for the Cyclones in the near future.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["246101"],"_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='246101' first='Aaliyah' last='Riley'] has made her stamp as a scorer and overall play-maker on this team with the type of impactful season she has put together for her junior year. Riley has been a dominate force on both ends of the floor for the Dragons while also being a team player and intense competitor. As of right now she is currently averaging just over 13 PPG on 48.8% shooting, 39% coming from behind the arc. Numbers that would usually jump off the page within a program as their #1 option but for the Dragons, she is another major piece to this big puzzle they are trying to put together before the end of the season. It's not going to be easy though. With receiving the #2 seed in this bracket the Dragons will secure a matchup with the #3 seed Waterloo West in the Semi's, assuming both teams advance, which is something I don't feel comfortable saying yet as anything can happen on any given night. As for Riley, she will keep doing her thing and showing off her stock as a prospect and gamer. A stock that is rising.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["557354"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='557354' first='Jenica' last='Lewis'] haș lived up to the hype surrounding her name coming into her freshman year and doing that alone is impressive because she is a big-named player. Lewis who is only a freshman, has received over 25+ high-end, D1 offers before she even played a high school game and now more since the start of the season. Lewis is a gamer. She is the #1 ranked player in the class of 2026 in Iowa and is nationally ranked at the same time as a top PG throughout the country. This season she has showed us why. She was asked to step in and be a big part of this program, to come in and lead her team as a true passing point guard compared to her usual scoring-self. A task in which she accepted and excelled at a rapid rate. As you can tell it's gone pretty well as they have only recorded 1 loss up until this point. With all that being said she has picked up her scoring toward the end the year, showing that she is a lethal three point shooter from behind the arc. She also possesses extremely high game IQ and ability to handle the ball. It's going to be fun to see this group compete with Lewis at the helm on a bigger stage next week, she what she can do live.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["63027"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='63027' first='Emma' last='Hampton'] has been flying under the radar for the most part this season with the players she has around her but she is making the most of it for her senior season and it's been working in her favor. Hampton has been a consistent, efficient, and crucial piece to this group's success thus far. She has been someone that this team can rely on to get a big time rebound or bucket near the hoop in clutch moments, helping her team have more options and opportunities on both sides of the floor. Her game is really what you see, is what you get. She plays simple and with good pace. She has an act for rebounding the ball while playing physical. She is someone that really helps this team establish a presence on the perimeter at the beginning of games but isn't afraid to go inside and do the dirty work as well . Going forward she is going to have to keep up her production and play-style because the competition they face ahead really has dominated the paint in their wins, something the Dragons need to stop as soon as they can from tip off.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":4,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63f67f5b0f1b9"} /--> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>#3 - Waterloo West (22-1) </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Waterloo West comes in at the #3 seed in the 5A state tournament and has secured themselves a date with the #6 seed Ankeny Centennial in round 1. A team that may not have the same record as this Waterloo West team but what they lack for in record, they make up for in heart and hustle. The Wahawks have had a year. They started the season ranked #2 in the 5A class and have only fallen down to #3 with their 1-loss on the season. Showing really how close the 1-3 rankings/seedings have been this entire year in the 5A class. Like I mentioned above, if they win their first game and Johnston win's theirs then these two groups are going to face off in the Semi's. Making this the matchup of the year and the game of the season in my opinion. These two groups have had the best overall seasons when it comes to records, strength of schedule, star power, consistency, and coaching. This could be one of those games in the end in which everyone knows it should have been the championship but we will just have to wait and see. Gotta survive and advance round 1 first. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["127622"],"_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='127622' first='Halli' last='Poock'] has been the point guard and leader that the Wahawks dreamed of this season but this is no surprised as Poock is just doing her usual things on the court. Dominating. This season she surpassed the 2000 point mark for her high school career. Not something you see very often. On top of that she has been a bucket this go around, led her team to a 1-loss season thus far, and has shown that she is going to make an instant impact at the next level. The Bradley women's basketball commit isn't done though. Currently she is averaging 22.4 PPG, 3.8 RPG, and 4.2 APG. Something she is going to try to keep up over these next few games with the goal of bringing home a championship for her team. Not much more I can say, Bradley is getting a great player with an even better head on her shoulders. Congrats Bradley.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["127635"],"_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='127635' first='Sahara' last='Williams']. That's all. Thats the article. Not really but that's how good of player Williams really is. She is a special talent, a talent that most programs will never understand because they will never have a player like her around. The Oklahoma women basketball commit is different. She is a physical force that can't be stopped near the hoop. She is agile, versatile, and smart all along with being equipped athletically more then most. This Waterloo West team does a great job of running their offense through their stars and showing them off in an efficient way. Something impressive from the players to execute and the coaches for putting it together. I want to see Williams VS the Dragons. This will be her toughest test on the year and I want to see what she can really do on the biggest stage with the brightest lights against some other big-time D1 talent. A court, that if it were to happen, would have 5-8 D1 recruits at one time.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":2,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63f67f5b0f258"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->