Players Who Helped Punch Their Teams Ticket In 3A

’23 Benton (IA) High G Jenna Twedt. (Rob Howe/PrepGirlsHoops.com)

Brady Peterson February 21, 2023 @ 07:06 AM

Now that we know who will represent their regions in 3A, I'd like to talk about a few players who stepped up for their team in the region finals. All of these kids will play at the Wells Fargo Center coming up this next week.   [player_tooltip player_id='311389' first='Haylee' last='Stokes']   The Estherville Lincoln Center guard led the No. 1 overall seed in 3A back to the State Tournament with a 24-point game in a blowout win. ELC has been one of the best teams in 3A all year and hasn't tripped up at all this season. Stokes and ELC have been one of the most consistent teams in the state, and that didn't change during region play. They'll be a tough out in Des Moines.   Emma Donovan   The Walhert Catholic forward capped off region play with a hat trick of double-doubles. Donovan recorded 11 points and 11 rebounds in the Golde Eagles' Region Final win over Osage. She's found ways to affect the game around the basket, and they were one of the two non-No. 1 seeds to find their way to the state tournament in 3A. The way she's played throughout Regionals has been a critical factor in the Golden Eagles finding their way to Des Moines, and it'll be intriguing to see if they can keep their run going at the State Tournament.   Kobi Leitz   When people think of Solon, the first player they'll think of is the future Iowa Hawkeye, [player_tooltip player_id='246099' first='Callie' last='Levin']. However, the sophomore shot the lights out in the Spartans Region Final win over Mount Vernon. Leitz made six of her seven 3-point attempts in the win and finished the game with 22 points to lead the contest in scoring. The sophomore was the difference in the game and a significant reason why the Spartans made it to the State Tournament and have high ambitions of competing for a few days at the Wells Fargo Center.   [player_tooltip player_id='127632' first='Jenna' last='Twedt']   The future Kirkwood guard and future Iowa State wing [player_tooltip player_id='63032' first='Kelsey' last='Joens'] went head-to-head all game long. Twedt's 33 points edged Joens' 29 points, and Twedt's Benton team punched their ticket to Des Moines with a 53-44 win in the Region Final. Twedt has been one of the most dominant players in 3A all year, and I can't wait for a possible rematch between the Bobcats and Solon at some point at the Wells Fargo Center. The Bobcats have high aspirations and have every right to believe they can make something happen at the State Tournament.

Now that we know who will represent their regions in 3A, I'd like to talk about a few players who stepped up for their team in the region finals. All of these kids will play at the Wells Fargo Center coming up this next week.