Playoffs – Class 3A: Region 1-4 Preview
In this article:
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…
Access all of Prep Girls Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingAs 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)
Region 1
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 Haylee Stokes Haylee Stokes 5'6" | PG Estherville Lincoln Central | 2025 State IA . Following behind her is Jordyn Stokes Jordyn Stokes 5'5" | PG Estherville Lincoln Central | 2023 State IA and Rylee Yager Rylee Yager 5'9" | SF Estherville Lincoln Central | 2025 IA . 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 Lauren McLaughlin Lauren McLaughlin 6'1" | SF Algona | 2025 State IA and Lillian Etherington Lillian Etherington 5'7" | PG Algona | 2023 State IA . Two players who have pushed and worked hard this year to get their team to where they are at currently.
Teams & Their Leaders:
Estherville Lincoln Central Midgets (19-0) – Haylee Stokes Haylee Stokes 5'6" | PG Estherville Lincoln Central | 2025 State IA (20.9 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 5.9 APG), Jordyn Stokes Jordyn Stokes 5'5" | PG Estherville Lincoln Central | 2023 State IA (14.8 PPG), Rylee Yager Rylee Yager 5'9" | SF Estherville Lincoln Central | 2025 IA (9.1 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 1.7 APG)
Eagle Groove Eagles (1-18) – Nadia Kaiser (8.4 PPG, 7.6 RPG, 1.4 APG), Maddison Kaiser (5.4 PPG, 1.6 APG)
Garner Hayfield Ventura Cardinals (6-13) – Jenna Pringnitz (9.9 PPG, 5.6 RPG), Gretta Gouge (8.8 PPG, 11.2 RPG)
Clarion-Goldfield-Dows Cowgirls (10-10) – Lexie Lane (15.6 PPG, 6.8 RPG), Sawyer Morrical (10.7 PPG, 3.3 APG), Elliot Ennis (9.4 PPG, 10.6 RPG)
Algona Bulldogs (14-6) – Lauren McLaughlin Lauren McLaughlin 6'1" | SF Algona | 2025 State IA (12 PPG, 5.5 RPG), Lillian Etherington Lillian Etherington 5'7" | PG Algona | 2023 State IA (5.5 RPG, 5.1 APG)
Southeast Valley Jaguars (6-13) – Kenna Scott Kenna Scott 5'6" | PG Southeast Valley | 2024 IA (12.5 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 5.1 APG), Breck Mills Breck Mills 6'1" | PF Southeast Valley | 2024 State IA (13.4 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 1.7 APG)
Cherokee Washington Braves (11-7) – Kenna Mongan Kenna Mongan 5'6" | PG Cherokee | 2023 State IA (17.9 PPG, 6.6 RPG, 4.9 APG), Laney Wolfswinkel (14.5 PPG, 5.6 RPG), Kadyn Volkert (8.9 PPG, 4.9 RPG)
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)
Prediction
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.
Region 2
Callie Levin Callie Levin 5'10" | PG Solon | 2024 State IA 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.
Teams & Their Leaders:
Solon Spartans (18-2) – Callie Levin Callie Levin 5'10" | PG Solon | 2024 State IA (18.5 PPG, 5.5 RPG), Hailey Miller Hailey Miller 5'8" | SG Solon | 2024 State IA (10.1 PPG, 3 APG), Kobi Lietz (7.9 PPG, 3 APG)
Fairfield Trojans (2-16) – Savannah Hollander (12.6 PPG), Ashlyn Lisk (9 PPG, 1.5 APG), Brianna Steele (3.8 PPG, 4.7 RPG)
Central Lee Hawks (8-11) – Makayla Morrison Makayla Morrison 5'1" | PG Central Lee | 2023 State IA (16.2 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 2.6 APG), Kenna Sandoval (11.4 PPG, 6.5 RPG)
Davis County Mustangs (8-13) – Sophia Young (10.6 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 3.9 APG), Kennedy Skaggs (9.5 PPG), Ella Porter (9.4 RPG)
Mount Vernon Mustangs (12-7) – Peyton Simpson (10.8 PPG, 2 APG), Lily See (9.6 PPG, 5.8 RPG)
Tipton Tigers (6-14) – Kyra Shaull Kyra Shaull 6'1" | C Muscatine | 2025 IA (12.9 PPG, 7.7 RPG), Chloe Klabo (6.8 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 2 APG), Carly Langenberg (10.5 PPG, 3.6 APG)
Assumption Knights (11-8) – Maddy Nigey (12.6 PPG, 5 RPG), Ava Schubert Ava Schubert 6'1" | SF Assumption | 2023 State IA (11.8 PPG, 4.9 RPG), Jessie Wardlow (2.3 APG)
Washington Demons (7-12) – Adalyn Long Adalyn Long 5'9" | SG Washington | 2026 State IA (10.4 PPG, 2.9 APG), Alex Murphy (9.3 PPG, 8 RPG), Leighton Messinger Leighton Messinger 5'9" | SG Washington | 2026 State IA (8.2 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 1.9 APG)
Prediction
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.
Region 3
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 Jenna Twedt Jenna Twedt 5'8" | SG Benton | 2023 State IA and Emma Townsley Emma Townsley 5'7" | PG Benton | 2024 State IA , 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, Kelsey Joens Kelsey Joens 5'10" | SG West Liberty | 2023 State IA .
Teams & Their Leaders:
Benton Community Bobcats (17-2) – Jenna Twedt Jenna Twedt 5'8" | SG Benton | 2023 State IA (19.5 PPG, 5.8 APG), Emma Townsley Emma Townsley 5'7" | PG Benton | 2024 State IA (9.5 PPG, 4.2 RPG, 3.1 APG)
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)
Oelwein Huskies (11-9) – McKinzie See (12.6 PPG, 6.8 RPG), Emma Smock (9.5 PPG, 8 RPG, 1.9 APG), Haydin Becker (11.9 PPG, 6.3 RPG)
Union Community Knights (3-17) – Reagan Sorensen (12.1 PPG, 2.1 APG), Ava Mills (10 PPG, 6.5 RPG, 2.1 APG)
Center Point-Urbana Stormin Pointers (12-8) – Mya Hillers (10 PPG, 5.7 RPG), Tayler Reaves Tayler Reaves 5'7" | SG Center Point-Urbana | 2023 IA (9.7 PPG, 1.5 APG), Nicole Rick (6 PPG, 3.1 RPG)
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)
West Liberty Comets (13-5) – Kelsey Joens Kelsey Joens 5'10" | SG West Liberty | 2023 State IA (23.7 PPG, 12.4 RPG, 4 APG), Finley Hall Finley Hall 5'7" | SG West Liberty | 2023 State IA (12.7 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 2.1 APG)
Williamsburg Raiders (4-15) – Carly Rich (12.4 PPG, 1.3 APG), Zoe Allen Zoe Allen 6'1" | PF Williamsburg | 2026 State IA (11.5 PPG, 5.9 RPG), Makenna Hughes (9.8 PPG, 2.3 APG)
Prediction
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 Kelsey Joens Kelsey Joens 5'10" | SG West Liberty | 2023 State IA 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.
Region 4
Region 4 is headlined by #1 seed West Marshall and Katy Reyerson Katy Reyerson 6'2" | PF West Marshall | 2023 State IA . 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 Xada Johnson Xada Johnson 6'0" | C Clear Lake | 2024 State IA , Ayla Johnson, and Jordan Mayland. A big three that is consistent, efficient, and knows what winning is.
Teams & Their Leaders:
West Marshall Trojans (19-1) – Katy Reyerson Katy Reyerson 6'2" | PF West Marshall | 2023 State IA (19.3 PPG, 12.5 RPG, 7 APG), Bella Borgos (17.5 PPG), Keatan Pfantz (8 PPG, 2 APG)
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)
Roland-Story Norseman (11-9) – Claire Truesdell Claire Truesdell 5'8" | SF Roland-Story | 2025 State IA (11 PPG), Alyssa Jones (8.6 PPG), Elizabeth Ihle Elizabeth Ihle 5'3" | PG Roland-Story | 2024 IA (3.7 APG)
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)
Clear Lake Lions (17-2) – Xada Johnson Xada Johnson 6'0" | C Clear Lake | 2024 State IA (12.4 PPG, 6.9 RPG), Jordan Mayland (10.9 PPG, 3.7 APG), Ayla Johnson (8.2 PPG, 6.4 RPG)
Saydel Eagles (6-14) – Kaydence Butters (10 PPG, 1.6 APG), Paige Rummans Paige Rummans 5'10" | CG Saydel | 2025 State IA (11.7 PPG, 13.3 RPG)
Forest City Indians (12-8) – Colette Loges (8.4 PPG, 2.2 APG), Karley Lambert (7.7 PPG), Bethany Warren (6.1 RPG)
Iowa Falls-Alden Cadets (8-12) – Ella Sharar Ella Sharar 5'10" | SF Iowa Falls-Alden | 2024 State IA (18.5 PPG, 11.1 RPG, 1 APG), Hailey Bridgewater (9.3 PPG, 1.4 APG), Cindi Phipps (3.8 RPG, 3.8 APG)
Prediction
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 Claire Truesdell Claire Truesdell 5'8" | SF Roland-Story | 2025 State IA 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.