Playoffs - Class 3A: Region 1-4 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 1</h2>   <p>Region 1 of the 3A class features the state champs from last year in the Estherville Lincoln central Midgets. The Midgets are 19-0 and have controlled every game start to finish in which they have played thus far. They are led by the best two-way guard in the 3A class in [player_tooltip player_id='311389' first='Haylee' last='Stokes']. Following behind her is [player_tooltip player_id='127629' first='Jordyn' last='Stokes'] and [player_tooltip player_id='842545' first='Rylee' last='Yager']. Two other solid players who have played key roles in their success this season. The #2 seed in the region belongs to the Algona Bulldogs who come in at 14-6 throughout their first 20 games. They are led by the duo of [player_tooltip player_id='671468' first='Lauren' last='McLaughlin'] and [player_tooltip player_id='160572' first='Lillian' last='Etherington']. Two players who have pushed and worked hard this year to get their team to where they are at currently. </p>   <h2 class="has-medium-font-size">Teams & Their Leaders: </h2>   <p>Estherville Lincoln Central Midgets (19-0) - [player_tooltip player_id='311389' first='Haylee' last='Stokes'] (20.9 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 5.9 APG), [player_tooltip player_id='127629' first='Jordyn' last='Stokes'] (14.8 PPG), [player_tooltip player_id='842545' first='Rylee' last='Yager'] (9.1 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 1.7 APG)</p>   <p>Eagle Groove Eagles (1-18) - Nadia Kaiser (8.4 PPG, 7.6 RPG, 1.4 APG), Maddison Kaiser (5.4 PPG, 1.6 APG) </p>   <p>Garner Hayfield Ventura Cardinals (6-13) - Jenna Pringnitz (9.9 PPG, 5.6 RPG), Gretta Gouge (8.8 PPG, 11.2 RPG)</p>   <p>Clarion-Goldfield-Dows Cowgirls (10-10) - Lexie Lane (15.6 PPG, 6.8 RPG), Sawyer Morrical (10.7 PPG, 3.3 APG), [player_tooltip player_id='788543' first='Elliot' last='Ennis'] (9.4 PPG, 10.6 RPG)</p>   <p>Algona Bulldogs (14-6) - [player_tooltip player_id='671468' first='Lauren' last='McLaughlin'] (12 PPG, 5.5 RPG), [player_tooltip player_id='160572' first='Lillian' last='Etherington'] (5.5 RPG, 5.1 APG)</p>   <p>Southeast Valley Jaguars (6-13) - [player_tooltip player_id='675301' first='Kenna' last='Scott'] (12.5 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 5.1 APG), [player_tooltip player_id='342203' first='Breck' last='Mills'] (13.4 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 1.7 APG)</p>   <p>Cherokee Washington Braves (11-7) - [player_tooltip player_id='63049' first='Kenna' last='Mongan'] (17.9 PPG, 6.6 RPG, 4.9 APG), [player_tooltip player_id='1190187' first='Laney' last='Wolfswinkel'] (14.5 PPG, 5.6 RPG), [player_tooltip player_id='941007' first='Kadyn' last='Volkert'] (8.9 PPG, 4.9 RPG)</p>   <p>OABCIG Falcons (7-11) - Krista Sibenllar (12.9 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 1.5 APG), Alex Schroeder (10.8 PPG, 4.2 RPG), Haley Harms (10 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 1.5 APG)</p>   <h2 class="has-medium-font-size">Prediction </h2>   <p>This region is a tough matchup for everyone who isn't the Midgets in this situation. There are a few solid teams who have winning records along with Estherville but when we compare the numbers and players from program to program it is clear that this is the Midgets region 1 championship to lose. Stokes has been sensational this season and in her high school career. The pieces around her are efficient and lastly they are well coached, which in meaningful games matters. I'm going to take Estherville to play Algona in the Region 1 final with the Midgets moving on. </p>   <h2 class="has-large-font-size">Region 2</h2>   <p>[player_tooltip player_id='246099' first='Callie' last='Levin'] and the Solon Spartans are the #1 seed for Region 2 as they have a 18-2 record in their first 20 games. They have done a good job for the most part separating themselves this year from their competition except in a handful of contests against some highly ranked opponents. The #2 seed here is the Mount Vernon Mustangs. The Mustangs led by Peyton Simpson and Lily See have made it happen this season, registering some competitive wins up until this point and leading their team to an overall 12-7 record. </p>   <h2 class="has-medium-font-size">Teams & Their Leaders: </h2>   <p>Solon Spartans (18-2) - [player_tooltip player_id='246099' first='Callie' last='Levin'] (18.5 PPG, 5.5 RPG), [player_tooltip player_id='314120' first='Hailey' last='Miller'] (10.1 PPG, 3 APG), [player_tooltip player_id='1143208' first='Kobi' last='Lietz'] (7.9 PPG, 3 APG)</p>   <p>Fairfield Trojans (2-16) - Savannah Hollander (12.6 PPG), Ashlyn Lisk (9 PPG, 1.5 APG), Brianna Steele (3.8 PPG, 4.7 RPG)</p>   <p>Central Lee Hawks (8-11) - [player_tooltip player_id='127619' first='Makayla' last='Morrison'] (16.2 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 2.6 APG), Kenna Sandoval (11.4 PPG, 6.5 RPG)</p>   <p>Davis County Mustangs (8-13) - Sophia Young (10.6 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 3.9 APG), [player_tooltip player_id='502234' first='Kennedy' last='Skaggs'] (9.5 PPG), Ella Porter (9.4 RPG)</p>   <p>Mount Vernon Mustangs (12-7) - Peyton Simpson (10.8 PPG, 2 APG), Lily See (9.6 PPG, 5.8 RPG)</p>   <p>Tipton Tigers (6-14) - [player_tooltip player_id='794591' first='Kyra' last='Shaull'] (12.9 PPG, 7.7 RPG), Chloe Klabo (6.8 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 2 APG), [player_tooltip player_id='793110' first='Carly' last='Langenberg'] (10.5 PPG, 3.6 APG)</p>   <p>Assumption Knights (11-8) - Maddy Nigey (12.6 PPG, 5 RPG), [player_tooltip player_id='160549' first='Ava' last='Schubert'] (11.8 PPG, 4.9 RPG), Jessie Wardlow (2.3 APG)</p>   <p>Washington Demons (7-12) - [player_tooltip player_id='502091' first='Adalyn' last='Long'] (10.4 PPG, 2.9 APG), Alex Murphy (9.3 PPG, 8 RPG), [player_tooltip player_id='561695' first='Leighton' last='Messinger'] (8.2 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 1.9 APG)</p>   <h2 class="has-medium-font-size">Prediction </h2>   <p>This region, like most others, is going to be competitive. I am going to give a chance to 2-3 teams to really have a great shot at moving on as the region 2 champions. On the top sided of the bracket I like the Spartans to make it to the Region 2 final. On the bottom side it's going to be a toss up between Mount Vernon and Assumption. I think that Mount Vernon has shown all year that they are the better overall team but Assumption has more overall pieces that can help them win. I'm going to give the advantage to Mount Vernon. So you'll have Solon VS Mount Vernon for the region 2 championship game. I have the Spartans moving on. Behind Levin they are going to be too much to stop. They play through their star and contain other players that could compete at a college level in the near future. Advantage Spartans. </p>   <h2 class="has-large-font-size">Region 3</h2>   <p>The Benton Bobcats have put together a 17-2 season and received the #1 seed in region 3 going into the post season. The Bobcats are led by their top 2 players in [player_tooltip player_id='127632' first='Jenna' last='Twedt'] and [player_tooltip player_id='246117' first='Emma' last='Townsley'], who are both averaging superb numbers this year. The #2 seed is Center Point-Urbana, who come into this at 12-8 thus far. Following closely behind CPU is West Liberty high school, who received the #3 seed in this region but could have been the 2nd. Led by star player and Iowa State commit, [player_tooltip player_id='63032' first='Kelsey' last='Joens'].</p>   <h2 class="has-medium-font-size">Teams & Their Leaders: </h2>   <p>Benton Community Bobcats (17-2) - [player_tooltip player_id='127632' first='Jenna' last='Twedt'] (19.5 PPG, 5.8 APG), [player_tooltip player_id='246117' first='Emma' last='Townsley'] (9.5 PPG, 4.2 RPG, 3.1 APG)</p>   <p>Anamosa Blue Raiders (1-18) - Norah Humpal (6.4 PPG, 1 APG), Sophie Sander (5.6 PPG, 3.5 RPG), Kate Sander (3.3 PPG, 2.9 RPG)</p>   <p>Oelwein Huskies (11-9) - [player_tooltip player_id='782239' first='McKinzie' last='See'] (12.6 PPG, 6.8 RPG), Emma Smock (9.5 PPG, 8 RPG, 1.9 APG), [player_tooltip player_id='782460' first='Haydin' last='Becker'] (11.9 PPG, 6.3 RPG)</p>   <p>Union Community Knights (3-17) - Reagan Sorensen (12.1 PPG, 2.1 APG), Ava Mills (10 PPG, 6.5 RPG, 2.1 APG)</p>   <p>Center Point-Urbana Stormin Pointers (12-8) - Mya Hillers (10 PPG, 5.7 RPG), [player_tooltip player_id='434102' first='Tayler' last='Reaves'] (9.7 PPG, 1.5 APG), Nicole Rick (6 PPG, 3.1 RPG)</p>   <p>Camanche Storm (4-16) - Emerson Crigger (7.7 PPG, 4.2 RPG), Celina Hermann (6.5 PPG, 1.1 APG), Zoie Vogel (5.1 PPG, 3.1 RPG, 1.7 APG)</p>   <p>West Liberty Comets (13-5) - [player_tooltip player_id='63032' first='Kelsey' last='Joens'] (23.7 PPG, 12.4 RPG, 4 APG), [player_tooltip player_id='127615' first='Finley' last='Hall'] (12.7 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 2.1 APG)</p>   <p>Williamsburg Raiders (4-15) - Carly Rich (12.4 PPG, 1.3 APG), [player_tooltip player_id='656292' first='Zoe' last='Allen'] (11.5 PPG, 5.9 RPG), [player_tooltip player_id='1143201' first='Makenna' last='Hughes'] (9.8 PPG, 2.3 APG)</p>   <h2 class="has-medium-font-size">Prediction</h2>   <p>Out of regions 1-4 in the 3A class I will say that this region, region 3, is going to be the hardest to make it out of and any team that does survive is going to be ready for their next opponent. I think on the top side it's simple to see Benton Community get to the region 3 final with a fairly easy path. On the bottom portion of the bracket you have CPU and West Liberty. Two programs that have had a good amount of success this year. I am going to give the advantage to CPU. They have more weapons if one of their star players were to get stopped or have a bad game. West Liberty is going to need a game winning performance out of [player_tooltip player_id='63032' first='Kelsey' last='Joens'] every game to beat good teams. If Benton matchup's up with CPU I am going to give the advantage to the Bobcats. They live on defense. They love to stop opponents and win games 33-30 if they can. I think that their defense will be too much for everyone they face up until the state tournament. </p>   <h2 class="has-large-font-size">Region 4</h2>   <p>Region 4 is headlined by #1 seed West Marshall and [player_tooltip player_id='127623' first='Katy' last='Reyerson']. Reyerson is currently on pace to have one of the best individual seasons we have seen in a long time here in Iowa, almost averaging a triple-double while leading her team to a 19-1 start. The #2 seed is taken by the Clear Lake Lions who are 17-2 behind their leaders [player_tooltip player_id='314108' first='Xada' last='Johnson'], Ayla Johnson, and Jordan Mayland. A big three that is consistent, efficient, and knows what winning is. </p>   <h2 class="has-medium-font-size">Teams & Their Leaders: </h2>   <p>West Marshall Trojans (19-1) - [player_tooltip player_id='127623' first='Katy' last='Reyerson'] (19.3 PPG, 12.5 RPG, 7 APG), Bella Borgos (17.5 PPG), Keatan Pfantz (8 PPG, 2 APG)</p>   <p>Greene County Rams (0-19) - Emma Hoyle (5.8 PPG, 5.1 RPG), Emma Shipley (4 PPG), Kamryn Sanders (3.2 PPG, 7.1 RPG)</p>   <p>Roland-Story Norseman (11-9) - [player_tooltip player_id='311371' first='Claire' last='Truesdell'] (11 PPG), Alyssa Jones (8.6 PPG), [player_tooltip player_id='314160' first='Elizabeth' last='Ihle'] (3.7 APG)</p>   <p>Nevada Cubs (10-10) - Emma Strottman (8 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 2.1 APG), Bridget Cahill (7.9 PPG), Isabelle Nelson (7.7 PPG, 9.2 RPG)</p>   <p>Clear Lake Lions (17-2) - [player_tooltip player_id='314108' first='Xada' last='Johnson'] (12.4 PPG, 6.9 RPG), Jordan Mayland (10.9 PPG, 3.7 APG), Ayla Johnson (8.2 PPG, 6.4 RPG)</p>   <p>Saydel Eagles (6-14) - Kaydence Butters (10 PPG, 1.6 APG), [player_tooltip player_id='582833' first='Paige' last='Rummans'] (11.7 PPG, 13.3 RPG)</p>   <p>Forest City Indians (12-8) - [player_tooltip player_id='1055349' first='Colette' last='Loges'] (8.4 PPG, 2.2 APG), Karley Lambert (7.7 PPG), Bethany Warren (6.1 RPG)</p>   <p>Iowa Falls-Alden Cadets (8-12) - [player_tooltip player_id='246130' first='Ella' last='Sharar'] (18.5 PPG, 11.1 RPG, 1 APG), Hailey Bridgewater (9.3 PPG, 1.4 APG), Cindi Phipps (3.8 RPG, 3.8 APG)</p>   <h2 class="has-medium-font-size">Prediction</h2>   <p>West Marshall VS Clear Lake. That's what it is here. Not trying to count anyone out who has had a successful season but these two teams are just better than everyone else around them and it's been like that for the majority of the season. A sleeper team to keep an eye on here would be the Roland-Story Norseman. Other than those top 2 teams I mentioned to start this paragraph, the Norseman can play. They are captained by [player_tooltip player_id='311371' first='Claire' last='Truesdell'] and Alyssa Jones, who are both averaging around 10 PPG. They play solid defense and communicate well. They have just simply had more breakdowns in games than the other two programs I have named. Give me West Marshall to escape out of region 4 but by a slim margin. It's going to be a close championship. </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)