Playoffs - Class 2A: Region 5-8 Preview

<p>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)</p>   <h2 class="has-large-font-size">Region 5 </h2>   <p>Regions 5-8 get more competitive and more intense when speaking about the 2A class. To headline region 5 we have the #1 seed Cascade Cougars being led by Alyssa Lux and [player_tooltip player_id='788527' first='Molly' last='Roling'] to a 17-1 start thus far. The #2 seed is Aplington-Parkerburg high school who has put together a great year and looking to add to it, coming in at 16-4 throughout their first 20 games.</p>   <h2 class="has-medium-font-size">Teams & Their Leaders: </h2>   <p>Cascade Cougars (17-1) - Alyssa Lux (12.5 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 2.8 APG), [player_tooltip player_id='788527' first='Molly' last='Roling'] (12.1 PPG, 4.2 APG), Devin Simon (9.4 PPG, 4.5 RPG)</p>   <p>Clayton Ridge Eagles (5-15) - Camdyn Deutmeyer (10.2 PPG, 8.5 RPG), Morgan Pierce (5.1 PPG, 1.8 APG), [player_tooltip player_id='1126082' first='Amyra' last='Millard'] (7.5 PPG, 5.1 RPG)</p>   <p>Starmont Stars (1-20) - Savanna Misplay (12.4 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 2 APG), Sarah Fenton (5.3 RPG, 4.7 APG)</p>   <p>MFL MarMac Bulldogs (13-7) - Grace Anderson (17 PPG, 6.2 RPG), Hannah Bogdonovich (11.2 PPG, 6.1 RPG, 3.2 APG)</p>   <p>Beckman Catholic Trailblazers (9-9) - Reese Osterhaus (10.2 PPG, 3.6 APG), Jenna Lansing (9 PPG, 7.4 RPG), Shelby Pirc (9.4 PPG, 7.6 RPG)</p>   <p>Aplington-Parkersburg Falcons (16-4) - Ellen Waller (14.3 PPG, 2.1 APG), Kendall Riherd (12.9 PPG, 5.6 RPG)</p>   <p>South Winneshiek Warriors (6-14) - Morgan Kleve (9.5 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 1.5 APG), Karissa Wenthold (5.6 PPG, 1.2 APG)</p>   <p>Postville Pirates (2-19) - Sierra Mohs (12.6 PPG, 8.5 RPG, 2.1 APG), Harlie Miller (5.6 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 1 APG), Claire Martins (4.8 PPG, 5.4 RPG)</p>   <p>Sumner Fredericksburg Cougars (13-5) - [player_tooltip player_id='592183' first='Isabelle' last='Elliot'] (20.5 PPG, 15.4 RPG, 1.8 APG), Alivia Lange (8.2 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 3.9 APG)</p>   <p>Denver Cyclones (8-13) - [player_tooltip player_id='160555' first='Grace' last='Hennessy'] (18.1 PPG, 7.6 RPG), Macy Matthias (6.6 PPG, 5.4 RPG), Channing Johnson (6.2 PPG, 4.4 RPG)</p>   <h2 class="has-medium-font-size">Prediction </h2>   <p>There are 4 teams with winning records in this region with Cascade being in the lead position. The Cougars have always been a good program with a system and goal in mind, this fairs well for them when it comes to post-season play. They are going to have a test right away against MFL MarMac and Grace Anderson in the second round with an even harder challenge to follow. On the bottom part of the bracket I expect Aplington to beat Sumner to get to the regional 5 championship. Overall I have the Cougars of Cascade moving on after a tough matchup in the final against Aplington. </p>   <h2 class="has-large-font-size">Region 6</h2>   <p>Regina Catholic and Mediapolis both enter region 6 with high win and low loss records but who is the best? Well we are going to find out. The Regals have put together a fantastic year after losing their main piece in the middle from last season. They are 17-4 in their first 21 games with their losses really only coming to other highly ranked teams so far this season. The Bulldogs are 18-3 in their first 21 games, being led by star players Payton Bush and Hanna Wagenbach.</p>   <h2>Teams & Their Leaders: </h2>   <p>Iowa City-Regina Catholic (17-4) - [player_tooltip player_id='311391' first='Morgan' last='Miller'] (17.9 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 4.1 APG), [player_tooltip player_id='63024' first='Grace' last='Gaarde'] (9.7 PPG, 3.1 APG), [player_tooltip player_id='592182' first='Alli' last='Clark'] (14.2 PPG, 4.2 RPG, 3.3 APG) </p>   <p>Durant Wildcat (6-12) - Isabelle Delong (15.6 PPG, 7.2 RPG), Savannah Meinert (9 PPG, 1.6 APG), Avery Paper (6.6 PPG, 1.8 APG)</p>   <p>Pekin Panthers (3-17) - Emma Phillips (9 PPG, 6.1 RPG), Brooke Miller (8.4 PPG, 1.7 APG)</p>   <p>Wilton Beavers (8-12) - Charlotte Brown (13.7 PPG, 11.5 RPG), Jozalynn Zaiser (7.8 RPG, 5.5 RPG, 2.5 APG)</p>   <p>Columbus Wildcats (7-14) - [player_tooltip player_id='842571' first='Ariana' last='Vergara'] (8.3 PPG, 4.3 RPG), Sara Vela (8 PPG, 4 RPG, 1.6 APG)</p>   <p>Mediapolis Bulldogs (18-3) - Payton Bush (15.3 PPG, 4 APG), Hanna Wagenbach (11 PBG, 6.8 RPG)</p>   <p>Louisa-Muscatine Falcons (7-13) - Mckenzie Kissell (10 PPG, 1.4 APG), Morgan Stecher (5.7 RPG), Bailey Runnells (5 PPG, 4.7 RPG)</p>   <p>Van Buren Country (4-15) - Ivy Davison (14.3 PPG, 8.7 RPG), Annabelle Cormier (8.8 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 3.4 APG), Callie Kracht (3.4 PPG, 3.2 RPG)</p>   <p>West Burlington Falcons (14-5) - Abbey Bence (24 PPG, 9.1 RPG, 2 APG), Taryn Havener (11.3 PPG, 7 RPG)</p>   <p>Danville Bears (9-12) - Jaeda Molle (10.9 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 4.5 APG), Graci Walker (8.1 RPG), Kenna Furnald (8.3 PPG)</p>   <h2 class="has-medium-font-size">Prediction </h2>   <p>This region comes down to 3 teams to me. Regina Catholic, Mediapolis and West Burlington. I think that the one team with a disadvantage is Regina as they don't carry much height and in the playoff's things like that can make the difference in winning or losing a close game. Even with Mediapolis having a harder path to win the region 6 championship I like them the best going into this bracket. Give me the Bulldogs of Mediapolis to move on. </p>   <h2 class="has-large-font-size">Region 7</h2>   <p>The pairing of region 7 is tough to say the least. It contains 4 teams with 5 losses or less that will all eventually meet somewhere in bracket play. The #1 seed in R7 was given to the Panorama Panthers at 18-2. Other high seeds to know and consider coming out of this group are the Mount Ayr Raiders (15-5), Nodaway Valley (17-4), and Treynor high school (18-2). </p>   <h2 class="has-medium-font-size">Teams & Their Leaders: </h2>   <p>Panorama Panthers (18-2) - Tyme Boettcher (15.1 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 2.4 APG), Jaidyn Sellers (13.7 PPG,9.6 RPG), Mia Waddle (9.9 PPG, 4.1 APG)</p>   <p>Woodward-Granger Hawks (6-14) - Grace Deputy (18.4 PPG, 9.9 RPG), [player_tooltip player_id='1091081' first='Addie' last='Lego'] (9.5 PPG, 6.2 RPG), Lexi Bogardus (3.6 PPG, 2.2 APG)</p>   <p>West Central Valley Wildcats (7-12) - Isabelle Muzon (9.1 PPG, 3.1 APG), Abbie Belden (6.1 PPG, 4.5 RPG)</p>   <p>Mount Ayr Raiders (15-5) - [player_tooltip player_id='1055375' first='Breya' last='Nickle'] (11.9 PPG, 6.6 RPG, 2.5 APG), Tegan Streit (10.4 PPG, 8.2 RPG, 5.3 APG)</p>   <p>Central Decatur Cardinals (11-8) - Harrisen Bevan (11.5 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 1 APG), Layni Masters (12.9 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 1.9 APG)</p>   <p>Treynor Cardinals (18-2) - [player_tooltip player_id='342204' first='Clara' last='Teigland'] (16.3 PPG, 6 RPG, 4.8 APG), [player_tooltip player_id='891600' first='Alexa' last='Schwartz'] (10 PPG, 6.1 RPG), [player_tooltip player_id='595157' first='Nora' last='Konz'] (8.5 PPG) </p>   <p>ACGC Chargers (10-10) - Sophie Dorsey (9.1 PPG, 1.5 APG), [player_tooltip player_id='842583' first='Shay' last='Lemke'] (8.5 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 2.7 APG), Reagan Carney (5.8 PPG, 5.8 RPG)</p>   <p>Ogden Bulldogs (6-14) - [player_tooltip player_id='560335' first='Jordyn' last='Crosman'] (12.9 PPG, 3.1 RPG, 1.3 APG), Kaleigh Badker (6.5 RPG)</p>   <p> Nodaway Valley Wolverines (17-4) - [player_tooltip player_id='314095' first='Lindsey' last='Davis'] (26.2 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 3.4 APG), [player_tooltip player_id='510277' first='Izzy' last='Eisbach'] (14.5 PPG, 4.6 APG), Jorja Holiday (7.5 PPG, 13.1 RPG)</p>   <p>Interstate 35 Roadrunners (8-8) - Josie McCuddin (16.4 PPG, 7.8 RPG), Averi Ransom (8.2 PPG, 8.2 RPG)</p>   <p>Southwest Valley Timberwolves (6-13) - [player_tooltip player_id='127614' first='Maggie' last='Haer'] (10.8 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 2.1 APG), Mackenzie Fast (8.1 PPG, 4.8 RPG)</p>   <h2 class="has-medium-font-size">Prediction </h2>   <p>This one is the toughest thus far in the 2A class. Potentially 4 teams could come out on top. When we break it down I could see Panorama moving on from the top part of the bracket. The Panthers are a fairly stacked roster with recent state experience from just a year ago. They have good guard play and good post play on both sides of the court. On the bottom side of the bracket it's going to be an incredible game between Treynor and Nodaway Valley if they meet. (Which they should) This is a state-type game matchup that would be exciting to watch. Nodaway Valley being led by the best two way player in her class in [player_tooltip player_id='314095' first='Lindsey' last='Davis']. Treynor is captained by [player_tooltip player_id='342204' first='Clara' last='Teigland'] and [player_tooltip player_id='891600' first='Alexa' last='Schwartz'], a deadly duo who has dominated basically everyone that they have faced this year. In the championship of this region I have Nodaway Valley facing off against Panorama with Nodaway Valley causing the upset to move forward. </p>   <h2 class="has-large-font-size">Region 8</h2>   <p>Pocahontas Area has been in the state conversation all year when people have spoken about the 2A class. The Indians are the #1 seed in the region 8 at 15-3 behind the leadership of their "big three" in Carley Janssen, [player_tooltip player_id='127611' first='Akaysa' last='Duitscher'], and [player_tooltip player_id='63052' first='Abby' last='Oberhelman']. The team looking to upset them in a big way and make it out of this bracket is the Underwood Eagles, who come in at 17-3 and with the #2 seed in region 8.</p>   <h2 class="has-medium-font-size">Teams & Their Leaders: </h2>   <p>Pocahontas Area Indians (15-3) - [player_tooltip player_id='63031' first='Carly' last='Janssen'] (12.7 PPG, 2.5 APG), [player_tooltip player_id='127611' first='Akaysa' last='Duitscher'] (11.6 PPG, 5.4 RPG), [player_tooltip player_id='63052' first='Abby' last='Oberhelman'] (9.1 PPG, 8.2 RPG) </p>   <p>IKM-Manning Wolves (6-14) - Mabel Langel (10.9 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 1.2 APG), Morgan Hanson (7.6 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 2.5 APG)</p>   <p>East Sac County Raiders (4-16) - Mary Boatrager (12.2 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 2.5 APG), [player_tooltip player_id='1106023' first='Makenna' last='Steiger'] (10.7 PPG, 2.2 APG)</p>   <p>South Central Calhoun Titans (14-4) - [player_tooltip player_id='127608' first='Riley' last='Batta'] (22.4 PPG, 9.8 RPG, 3 APG), Brenna McAlister (5.3 PPG, 4.4 RPG)</p>   <p>Manson-NW Webster Cougars (12-8) - Olivia Sturgis (14.6 PPG, 11.3 RPG, 1.7 APG), Chloe Peterson (11.7 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 3.2 APG), Brielle Wiese (9.3 PPG, 6.1 RPG)</p>   <p>Underwood Eagles (17-3) - Alizabeth Jacobson (13.6 PPG, 10.7 RPG), [player_tooltip player_id='160575' first='Aliyah' last='Humphrey'] (9.3 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 4.2 APG), Leah Hall (6.1 PPG, 1.5 APG)</p>   <p>AHSTW Vikings (8-13) - [player_tooltip player_id='246153' first='Delaney' last='Goshorn'] (13.6 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 1.8 APG), Ellie Peterson (9.4 PPG, 7.7 RPG, 1.5 APG), Ella Langer (5.6 PPG)</p>   <p>Missouri Valley Lady Reds (3-17) - Grace Herman (11.2 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 1.8 APG), Ella Myler (10.4 PPG, 6.6 RPG, 1.2 APG)</p>   <p>Logan-Magnolia Panthers (16-4) - Mya Moss (13.5 PPG, 8.3 RPG), Mecanna Guritz (11.1 PPG, 7.3 RPG), Ava Goldsmith (8.1 PPG, 2.7 APG)</p>   <p>Kuemper Catholic Knights (11-8) - Catherine Mayhall (13.7 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 4.5 APG), [player_tooltip player_id='1213805' first='Elsa' last='Tiefenthaler'] (7.9 PPG, 2.1 APG), Frannie Glynn (9.3 PPG)</p>   <h2 class="has-medium-font-size">Prediction</h2>   <p>Though a lot of these teams are close in record they haven't played the same level of competition this season. I expect the Indians and the Eagles to meet in the region 8 championship. In this one I think that the #2 seed Underwood team is going to be too much for the Indians, eventually coming out on top. I expect it to be a close game as both teams really have prided themselves on defense this season but the Eagles move on. </p>

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)