Playoffs - Class 1A: Region 5-8 Preview

As we get closer to spring and into the month of February it means one thing and one thing only for Iowa women's high school basketball and that is the start of post-season play on the way to crowning a state champion. (Records in this article reflect date when article was published)   <h2 class="has-large-font-size">Region 5</h2>   In the 5th region of the playoffs we have two teams that combine for a season total of 1 loss between both squads, the Westwood Rebels and the Woodbine Tigers. The Westwood Rebels are the #1 seed in the region coming in with a current record of 18-0 while the Woodbine Tigers sit with the #2 seed at 18-1 record, a virtual toss-up record wise. Both teams will receive a first round bye in this situation. The Rebels will play the winner of Boyer Valley VS Whiting and the Tigers will play the winner of Riverside VS Griswold in round 2.   <h2 class="has-medium-font-size">Teams & Their Leaders:</h2>   Westwood Rebels (18-0) - [player_tooltip player_id='311374' first='Ashlyn' last='Davis'] (14.9 PPG, 9.2 RPG), [player_tooltip player_id='782496' first='Brenna' last='Johnson'] (12 PPG, 8.4 RPG, 2.4 APG), Paige Wagner (8.8 PPG)   Boyer Valley Bulldogs (5-13) - Lauren Malone (9 PPG, 2.9 APG), Jessica O'Day (7.7 PPG, 11.2 RPG)   Whiting Warriors (2-10) - [player_tooltip player_id='127631' first='Kinzie' last='Theeler'] (13.6 PPG, 8.5 RPG, 2 APG), Caitlyn Jacobson (7.1 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 1.8 APG)   CAM Cougars (13-6) - [player_tooltip player_id='314136' first='Eva' last='Steffensen'] (17.1 PPG, 8.1 RPG, 3.3 APG), [player_tooltip player_id='314140' first='Meredith' last='Rich'] (10 PPG, 4.9 RPG)   Orient-Macksburg Bulldogs (5-13) - [player_tooltip player_id='582809' first='Emma' last='Boswell'] (14.2 PPG, 18.8 RPG, 1.2 APG), Christa Case (11.7 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 1.7 APG)   Tri-Center Trojans (10-9) - [player_tooltip player_id='646445' first='Taylor' last='Kenkel'] (9 PPG, 1.4 APG), Alexis Flaharty (8.3 PPG, 6.7 RPG), Cassidy Cunningham (6.4 PPG, 3.3 RPG)   West Harrison Hawkeyes (2-16) - [player_tooltip player_id='582839' first='Maclayn' last='Houston'] (23.2 PPG, 10.8 RPG), Tyler Stirtz (4.2 PPG, 7.4 RPG)   Woodbine Tigers (18-1) - [player_tooltip player_id='582832' first='Charlie' last='Pryor'] (14.8 PPG, 2.4 APG), Amanda Newton (11.8 PPG, 8.5 RPG), Addison Erickson (9.9 PPG, 8.5 RPG), Nicole Sherer (5.3 RPG, 5.1 APG)   Riverside Bulldogs (6-13) - [player_tooltip player_id='883740' first='Sophia' last='Taylor'] (6.8 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 1.2 APG), Elly Henderson (7 PPG, 1.2 APG)   Griswold Tigers (2-18) - McKenna Wiechman (8.8 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 1 APG), Emma Mundorf (2.6 PPG, 4.4 RPG)   Stanton Viqueens (19-2) - [player_tooltip player_id='127628' first='Jenna' last='Stephens'] (14.5 PPG, 7.7 RPG, 2.6 APG), Marleigh Johnson (12 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 5.4 APG)   Hamburg Wildcats (0-9) - Emma Bartlett (13.6 PPG, 2.9 RPG), Hailee Bartlett (8.8 PPG, 6.4 RPG), Hilda Thompson (2.9 RPG)   Murray Mustangs (11-7) - Jayda Chew (12.4 PPG, 5 APG), Morgan Keller (9.7 PPG, 8.2 RPG, 2.1 APG)   East Union Eagles (1-17) - Noelle McKnight (16.8 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 1.7 APG), [player_tooltip player_id='782236' first='Sydney' last='Staver'] (9.2 RPG, 1.1 APG)   <h2 class="has-medium-font-size">Prediction</h2>   This region is diverse. There is a good amount of individual talent from top to bottom when we name off some of these programs. On the upper section of the bracket I have Westwood making it to the Region championship but I'm not exactly sure against who. I do like the 2 seed in the Woodbine Tigers as they have shown up and shown out this season but I think they need to watch out for the Stanton Viqueens. A team that comes is currently sitting at 19-2 with a lot of convincing wins via a good amount of the others teams in this region. Either way with whomever comes out on top in that matchup I am going to give the edge to the Rebels to become the champs of this region and eventually move on. They just seem to be playing at a higher level then everyone else around them right now and I expect that to continue into a few of their post-season contests.   <h2 class="has-large-font-size">Region 6</h2>   As we look ahead to region six we see that the two top teams are the West Fork Warhawks and the Central Elkader Warriors as both teams will get a first round playoff bye in this region. The Warhawks have kept an undefeated record up until this point at 19-0 with a chance to keep that intact going game by game. The Warriors have only dropped 2 contests up until this point leaving them with an overall record of 17-2. Both of these programs have shown great success this year. I'll be interested to see where they can take it from here.   <h2 class="has-medium-font-size">Teams & Their Leaders: </h2>   West Fork Warhawks (19-0) - Emma Martinek (15.8 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 2.2 APG), [player_tooltip player_id='671467' first='Leah' last='Weaver'] (11.4 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 4.5 APG), Ellie Weaver (8.5 PPG, 2.9 APG)   Dunkerton Raiders (9-10) - Peyton Smith (11.6 PPG, 7.1 RPG), Maeson Wolff (9.8 PPG, 2.3 APG)   Nashua-Plainfield Huskies (4-15) - [player_tooltip player_id='842547' first='Kadence' last='Huck'] (10.8 PPG, 4.2 RPG), Jalynn Pratt (4.9 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 1.6 APG), Kendall Bailey-Pint (4.4 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 1.5 APG)   Clarksville Indians (14-5) - Jenna Myers (13 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 1.9 APG), Cailyn Hardy (11.7 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 2.9 APG)   Rockford Warriors (1-16) - Loren Fierova (3.8 PPG), Ashlynn Grady (3.5 PPG, 1 APG)   Don Bosco Dons (8-9) - Kenndi McGarvey (8.6 PPG, 8.8 RPG, 2 APG), [player_tooltip player_id='127620' first='Emily' last='Naughton'] (6.9 PPG, 6.5 RPG, 1.3 APG)   Tripoli Panthers (1-18) - Shyann Quigley (9.1 PPG, 4.4 RPG), Isabel Bernard (6 PPG, 1.1 APG), Keyra Krueger (5.1 PPG, 1 APG)   Central Elkader Warriors (17-2) - [player_tooltip player_id='160571' first='Delaney' last='Scherf'] (20.4 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 3.1 APG), Ashlyn Scherf (11.1 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 1.9 APG)   Edgewood-Colesburg Vikings (9-11) - [player_tooltip player_id='582840' first='Audrie' last='Helmrichs'] (18.8 PPG, 14.4 RPG, 1.9 APG), Addy Kirby (9.6 PPG, 5.3 APG)   Kee Kee Hawks (5-13) - [player_tooltip player_id='782230' first='Addison' last='Winters'] (14.5 PPG 12.1 RPG, 1.2 APG), Mallory Mohn (7.9 PPG), Alaine Bakewell (5.9 PPG)   Turkey Valley Trojans (14-5) - Jacqlyn Schmitt (15.6 PPG, 6.5 RPG), Brianna Busta (4.5 RPG, 1.5 APG), Alison Leibold (6.6 PPG, 1.8 APG)   West Central Blue Devils (5-14) - Abby Squires (11.7 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 2.3 APG), Kaydence Martin (6.1 PPG, 8.1 RPG)   Maquoeta Valley Wildcats (12-9) - Haley Ronnebaum (11 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 2.4 APG), [player_tooltip player_id='582827' first='Bianka' last='Ronnebaum'] (10.6 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 4.1 APG), [player_tooltip player_id='782505' first='Grace' last='Richter'] (10 PPG, 5.9 RPG)   Central City Wildcats (4-18) - [player_tooltip player_id='314133' first='Bailee' last='Weber'] (17.3 PPG, 2.8 APG), Avery Wise (5.9 PPG, 1.9 APG)   <h2 class="has-medium-font-size">Prediction </h2>   In a region that has some teams head and shoulders above the rest, it still doesn't show a clear path for any-one specific team. The two top seeds will win some games with a good chance to make it through this region but it's going to be tough and I wouldn't be surprised if another program like the Maquoeta Valley Wildcats or the Edgewood-Colesburg Vikings step up and come out on top of this region, moving on to the next round of the post season.   <h2 class="has-large-font-size">Region 7</h2>   The St. Albert Saintes and the Martensdale-St. Mary's Blue Devils jump into this region with the #1 and #2 seed in bracket play but it's going to be a challenge to survive this one as there are several teams that can compete for this region's championship currently. The Saintes enter with an overall 15-4 record while the Devils sit at 16-3. The Saintes will play the winner of Lenox VS Diagonal and receive a first round bye. The Blue Devils will have to match up in the first round against Bedford high school at home.   <h2 class="has-medium-font-size">Teams & Their Leaders: </h2>   St. Albert Saintes (15-4) - [player_tooltip player_id='342184' first='Missy' last='Evezic'] (11.3 PPG, 8.2 RPG), Lily Krohn (8.5 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 2.9 APG)   Lenox Tigers (10-7) - [player_tooltip player_id='592193' first='Sadie' last='Cox'] (17.9 PPG, 15.1 RPG), [player_tooltip player_id='592194' first='Zoey' last='Reed'] (14.5 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 2.2 APG), Cadence Douglas (7.4 PPG, 6.9 RPG, 1.2 APG)   Diagonal Maroons (12-7) - Taylor Lumbard (15.2 PPG, 14.4 RPG, 2.4 APG), Anna Newton (11.8 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 4.1 APG)   East Mills Wolverines (15-4) - [player_tooltip player_id='127634' first='Emily' last='Williams'] (15.8 PPG, 9.8 RPG, 3.7 APG), Aspen Crouse (9.9 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 1.4 APG)   Sidney Cowgirls (8-12) - Avery Dowling (9.8 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 2.4 APG), Aunika Hayes (9.3 PPG, 8.7 RPG), Kaden Payne (8.7 PPG, 7.1 RPG)   Fremont-Mills Knights (12-7) - [player_tooltip player_id='314134' first='Izzy' last='Weldon'] (11.3 PPG, 2.5 RPG, 2.9 APG), [player_tooltip player_id='896746' first='Ella' last='Thornton'] (8.5 PPG, 3.1 RPG)   Essex Trojans (3-15) - Brooke Burns (12.4 PPG, 1.6 APG), Brianne Johnson (9.7 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 1 APG), Cindy Swain (4.6 PPG, 1 APG)   Martensdale-St. Mary's Blue Devils (16-3) - [player_tooltip player_id='314132' first='Brynnly' last='German'] (14.2 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 5.4 APG), Campbell German (11.1 PPG, 6.1 PPG, 2.2 APG)   Bedford Bulldogs (3-16) - [player_tooltip player_id='560336' first='Alexis' last='Perkins'] (9.7 PPG, 14.6 RPG), Bridgett Murphy (8.6 PPG, 4.8 RPG), Kendra Sleep (6.8 PPG, 12.6 RPG)   Mormon Trail Saints (10-6) - [player_tooltip player_id='246124' first='Mia' last='Shanks'] (16.2 PPG, 1.9 APG), [player_tooltip player_id='675308' first='Aidyn' last='Newton'] (15.8 RPG), Annika Shanks (9.1 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 4 APG)   Melcher-Dallas Saints (11-10) - [player_tooltip player_id='842539' first='Addison' last='Wadle'] (14.4 PPG, 3.2 APG), Gabby Overgaard (7.6 PPG, 7.8 RPG), Kasyn Reed (6.4 PPG, 8.2 RPG)   Earlham Cardinals (14-3) - Kara Hohertz (12.4 PPG, 10 RPG), Lily Conry (10.1 PPG, 2.9 APG)   Southeast Warren Warhawks (2-17) - Alivia Ruble (18.8 PPG, 10.4 RPG), Jessica Lillig (6.8 PPG, 4.9 RPG), Lexi Clendenen (6.2 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 2.4 APG)   Wayne Falcons (11-9) - Clara O'Brien (13.7 PPG, 2.9 APG), [player_tooltip player_id='788536' first='Izzie' last='Moore'] (9.5 PPG, 10.4 RPG), Devyn Davis (9.4 PPG, 5.5 RPG)   Lamoni Demons (8-11) - [player_tooltip player_id='1145150' first='Taylor' last='Henson'] (15.2 PPG, 1.2 APG), Kelly Lloyd (8.2 PPG, 1 APG)   <h2 class="has-medium-font-size">Prediction </h2>   This region has the most compact competition level throughout all the other region's in this class in my opinion. There are 4-5 teams here that could string some wins together and make things really interesting. A lot of teams here have not lost much at all this season, showing they know what a successful team and year look like. This is a big factor. When it comes to big games in big moments you want to have experience like you've been there before. Many of these teams above know how that goes. My prediction for this region is going to be Martensdale-St.Mary's or Lenox high school to advance. They have the most diverse scoring groups in their region along with great coaching staffs to back them. All this added together, I like their odds the most.   <h2 class="has-large-font-size">Region 8</h2>   There is only one team that received a first round bye in region 8 and that is Winfield-Mt Union. The Wolves enter with a record of 19-0 and have dominated in every contest they have play so far this season. This is the most stacked region in the 1A class so to have a bye in the first round is a big advantage. Winfield will use the extra rest to prep and make sure they are ready to go for their second round matchup. It's always good to have a bye but sometimes it can catch you sleepin, something the wolves are hoping not to happen.   <h2 class="has-medium-font-size">Teams & Their Leaders: </h2>   Winfield-Mt Union Wolves (19-0) - Bradie Buffington (15.3 PPG, 8.6 RPG, 2.2 APG), Melina Oepping (11.8 PPG, 8.7 RPG), Keety Townsley (10.1 PPG)   Holy Trinity Catholic Crusaders (11-8) - [player_tooltip player_id='792536' first='Mary' last='Kate Bendlage'] (22.7 PPG, 6.6 RPG), [player_tooltip player_id='842580' first='Teagan' last='Snaadt'] (10.6 PPG, 1.6 APG), Kayla Box (6.8 PPG, 8.9 RPG)   Wapello Arrows (8-11) - Tatum Wolford (16.6 PPG), Jacie Hoeg (7.7 PPG, 2.8 APG)   WACO Warriors (16-3) - Ellah Kissel (22.5 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 2.9 APG), Grace Coble (11.5 PPG, 7.6 RPG), Katie Leichty (7.2 PPG, 6.6 RPG)   Keota Eagles (7-13) - Macie McDonald (10.1 PPG, 1.6 APG), Kimberly Clarahan (9.3 PPG, 5 RPG, 2.5 APG)   Burlington Norte Dame Nikes (15-6) - Lauren Krieger (13.3 PPG, 4.3 RPG), Abby Korsagen (11.5 PPG, 5.6 RPG), Gabby Deery (10.5 PPG, 7.8 RPG)   New London Tigers (0-20) - Natalie Burden (9 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 2.8 APG), [player_tooltip player_id='1182020' first='Mylee' last='Miller'] (8.4 PPG, 7.9 RPG), Sophie Malott (4.7 PPG, 3.6 RPG)   North Mahaska Warhawks (17-2) - [player_tooltip player_id='311368' first='Breckyn' last='Schilling'] (18.3 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 3.7 APG), [player_tooltip player_id='595162' first='Regan' last='Grewe'] (11.3 PPG, 2.6 APG), [player_tooltip player_id='1197051' first='Sydney' last='Andersen'] (7.1 PPG, 6.3 RPG)   Tri-Country Trojans (3-17) - Delanie Little (8.7 PPG, 7.1 RPG, 1 APG), [player_tooltip player_id='1214981' first='Ayla' last='Hall'] (7 PPG, 2.8 APG)   Sigourney Savages (14-7) - [player_tooltip player_id='314130' first='Carly' last='Goodwin'] (11.4 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 1.7 APG), Jospehine Moore (10 PPG, 7.3 RPG), Zoe Webb (6.8 PPG, 6.1 RPG)   Moulton-Udell Eagles (0-17) - Madison Barber (4.1 PPG, 4.4 RPG), Lexis Smith (3.9 PPG, 3.3 RPG), Rachel Ogden (3.2 PPG, 6.9 RPG, 2.1 APG)   Twin Cedars Sabers (14-6) - Cheyanne Bruns (11.6 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 1.1 APG), Rylee Dunkin (10.6 PPG, 3.3 APG)   Seymour Warriors (5-11) - Gracie Peck (9.2 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 1 APG), Olivia Powder (8.2 PPG, 8.7 RPG, 1 APG)   Lynnville-Sully Hawks (13-6) - Greenlee Smock (10.7 PPG, 2.3 APG), Majesta Voss (11.1 PPG), Brooke Conover (6.2 RPG)   Moravia Mohawks (5-13) - Keelie Anderson (12.9 PPG, 2.3 APG), Lauren Long (7.9 PPG, 3 APG), Kaylen Robinson (6.9 PPG, 8.5 RPG)   <h2 class="has-medium-font-size">Prediction</h2>   Tough, tough, tough, tough. This region is going to be the most competitive and toughest region to escape out of by far in 1A. There are legitimately 5-6 teams that could make it out of other regions if they were placed there but just got so lucky to pull this region with these teams, that's how good this bracket is. Winfield-Mt Union is the odds on favorite to make it past everyone here but it's going to be a battle. Teams like WACO, North Mahaska, Norte Dame, and Sigourney will all be in the running to stand on top of the metaphorical hill that is the region 8 championship but they will need to keep up the consistent play they have shown up thus far this season to keep up with the #1 seed in Winfield, who sits undefeated so far this year at 19-0. I'm going to take the field here to beat Winfield and move on, not sure who but I think the competition is so close that an upset is in the making here.

As we get closer to spring and into the month of February it means one thing and one thing only for Iowa women's high school basketball and that is the start of post-season play on the way to crowning a state champion. (Records in this article reflect date when article was published)