Playoffs - Class 4A: 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>When coming into the 4A class we can see the biggest difference is how all the brackets are structured. In the 4A and 5A class there are less programs competing therefore the bracketing system is smaller. There are only six teams per region on average with the #1 an #2 seed receiving "first round byes" into the second round. To be crowned a champion of your region as the 1st or 2nd seed you only need to win 2 games, something do-able for all top seeded programs in this class.</p>   <p>In region 1 of class 4A we have the top two seeds as Dallas-Center Grimes with the first and the Humboldt Wildcats with the 2nd. The DCG Mustangs have been almost perfect this season, going an overall 17-3 throughout their first 20 games. The three losses they did face this season were to highly ranked/talent teams. They will await for the winner of the Carroll Tigers (9-11) VS Perry Jayettes (6-13) in the second round. As for the second seed, the Humboldt Wildcats have had a successful season In their own right, going 14-7 thus far. A program that as a whole works together and competes every night. They will face the winner of the Fort Dodge Dodgers (11-9) VS Webster City Lynx (5-15). </p>   <h2 class="has-medium-font-size">Teams & Their Leaders: </h2>   <p>Dallas-Center Grimes Mustangs (17-3) - [player_tooltip player_id='127617' first='Emma' last='Miner'] (15.4 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 3.1 APG), [player_tooltip player_id='63023' first='Finley' last='Fitzgerald'] (11.4 PPG. 3.8 RPG, 1.8 APG), [player_tooltip player_id='246106' first='Vanessa' last='Bickford'] (8.8 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 4.5 APG)</p>   <p>Carroll Tigers (9-11) - [player_tooltip player_id='671464' first='Katelyn' last='Aden'] (10.3 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 3.3 APG), Camryn Schable (9.2 PPG, 5.4 RPG)</p>   <p>Perry Jayettes (6-13) - [player_tooltip player_id='127621' first='Lydia' last='Olejniczak'] (19.8 PPG, 7.6 RPG, 3.5 APG), Regan Baldwin (16.5 PPG), Callie Steva (3.6 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 2 APG)</p>   <p>Humboldt Wildcats (14-7) - [player_tooltip player_id='419308' first='Morgan' last='Mann'] (20.1 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 3.5 APG), [player_tooltip player_id='582811' first='Ava' last='Fischer'] (11.9 PPG), Reagan Lee (8.9 PPG, 6.5 RPG) </p>   <p>Fort Dodge Dodgers (11-9) - Paytene Hively (13 PPG, 9.8 RPG), Lainey Maehl (12.8 PPG, 9.3 RPG, 3.2 APG), [player_tooltip player_id='795874' first='LJ' last='Maehl'] (9.8 PPG, 5.3 RPG)</p>   <p>Webster City Lynx (5-15) - Alley Odland (6.7 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 3.1 APG), Livia Kasch (6.6 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 1 APG), Olivia Gallentine (5.9 PPG, 3.7 RPG)</p>   <h2 class="has-medium-font-size">Prediction</h2>   <p>In the first region I like the favorites to meet up in the championship game. DCG is a very good program with star power, good all around play, a defensive mindset, and recent success. On the bottom side I like the Wildcats to make it there and face the Mustangs as they have such a balanced and efficient attack. It's going to be tough for either of the programs who would have to face them to be able to slow down Humboldt throughout the longevity of a game. When it comes to the championship I think it could play out to be a better game then most would expect by looking at their records. Where one team excels the other struggles and vise versa. In the end I am going to give the slight advantage to DCG but won't count Humboldt out. If the Wildcats get to the foul line, [player_tooltip player_id='419308' first='Morgan' last='Mann'] keeps up her scoring and they make their free throws then it could be a long night for the Mustangs. If not, DCG should be able to take care of business by 2-3 points as the final. Give me DCG to narrowly advance out of region 1. </p>   <h2 class="has-large-font-size">Region 2</h2>   <p>The #1 seed in region 2 and for good reason is the North Polk Comets. The Comets have put together quite a season as they are 18-2 in their first 20 games along with winning 13 in a row and still counting. The #2 seed in the region is the Indianola Indians who currently sit at 9-11 behind the play of [player_tooltip player_id='127620' first='Emily' last='Naughton'], and [player_tooltip player_id='246148' first='Kendall' last='McDaniel'], two players who have really stepped up this season for the Indians, bringing them success. </p>   <h2 class="has-medium-font-size">Teams & Their Leaders: </h2>   <p>North Polk Comets (18-2) - [player_tooltip player_id='63011' first='Makayla' last='Boatman'] (16.9 PPG), [player_tooltip player_id='311383' first='Abby' last='Tuttle'] (10.9 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 5.4 APG), [player_tooltip player_id='63063' first='Liza' last='Schaffer'] (9.8 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 2.1 APG) </p>   <p>Gilbert Tigers (8-12) - Ella Henningsen (10.1 PPG, 5.5 RPG), [player_tooltip player_id='63045' first='Sydney' last='Lynch'] (4 APG), [player_tooltip player_id='311390' first='Mia' last='Kautman'] (10 PPG, 1.5 APG) </p>   <p>Boone Toreadors (5-15) - [player_tooltip player_id='63035' first='Morgan' last='Kathman'] (12.3 PPG, 2 APG), [player_tooltip player_id='878167' first='Erin' last='Ades'] (8.2 PPG, 3.8 RPG), Natalee Danner (10.5 PPG, 6 RPG)</p>   <p>Indianola Indians (9-11) - [player_tooltip player_id='127620' first='Emily' last='Naughton'] (14.2 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 4 APG), [player_tooltip player_id='246148' first='Kendall' last='McDaniel'] (8.8 PPG, 5.3 RPG) </p>   <p>Bondurant-Farrar Bluejays (11-9) - Chesney Steenhoek (13.3 PPG, 8.4 RPG) , Peyton Meyer (7.4 PPG, 1.5 APG), Hannah Greene (5.3 RPG)</p>   <p>Norwalk Warriors (5-15) - [player_tooltip player_id='311370' first='Bailey' last='Birmingham'] (18.3 PPG, 6.4 RPG, 1.3 APG), [player_tooltip player_id='1057739' first='Avery' last='Thomas'] (6.9 PPG, 3.9 RPG), Braelyn Clark (6.5 PPG, 2 APG)</p>   <h2 class="has-medium-font-size">Prediction</h2>   <p>This region is North Polk's to lose. They are the best team in this bracket hands down and I hope they come out to show it. Being led by [player_tooltip player_id='63011' first='Makayla' last='Boatman'], [player_tooltip player_id='311383' first='Abby' last='Tuttle'], and [player_tooltip player_id='63063' first='Liza' last='Schaffer'] this group can really ball out. They are a diverse scoring team that gets it done on both sides of the floor. Everyone does their job and because of that, winning and success becomes simpler to achieve for their program as a whole. They have done a great job show that off this season thus far. I'm going to predict that they will face the Indians in the region championship game. The Indians are playing some great ball right now, they will look to make the big upset against North Polk and escape this region but its going to be tough. It's definition possible but it's going to take all they have to finish the job. </p>   <h2 class="has-large-font-size">Region 3</h2>   <p>Two stacked teams headline the top spots of region 3 in the Bishop Heelan Crusaders & the Spencer Tigers. The #1 seed Crusaders are 18-2 behind the lead of their stars in [player_tooltip player_id='246111' first='Brooklyn' last='Stanley'], Jada Newberg, and [player_tooltip player_id='817576' first='Abby' last='Lee']. Three players who are filling up the stat sheets in different ways night in and night out. The #2 seed Spencer Tigers are 15-4 with their own "three-headed dragon" in Jada Piercy, Maureen McDermott, and Jerry Merchant. </p>   <h2 class="has-medium-font-size">Teams & Their Leaders: </h2>   <p>Bishop Heelan Crusaders (18-2) - [player_tooltip player_id='246111' first='Brooklyn' last='Stanley'] (14.9 PPG, 3.2 APG), Jada Newberg (10.4 PPG, 2.6 APG), [player_tooltip player_id='817576' first='Abby' last='Lee'] (4.5 RPG)</p>   <p>LeMars Bulldogs (11-9) - Metta Skov (14.5 PPG, 5.4 RPG), [player_tooltip player_id='342160' first='Sarah' last='Brown'] (13.6 PPG, 3.2 RPG, 1.9 APG)</p>   <p>Storm Lake Tornadoes (8-11) - [player_tooltip player_id='560332' first='Avery' last='DeHaan'] (13.1 PPG, 2.1 APG), Adeeye Yanga (11.5 PPG, 4.8 RPG), [player_tooltip player_id='1055327' first='Maddy' last='Raveling'] (7.6 PPG, 2.8 APG)</p>   <p>Spencer Tigers (15-4) - Jada Piercy (17 PPG, 4.5 APG), Maureen McDermott (11.7 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 3.9 APG), Jerra Merchant (15.7 PPG)</p>   <p>Sergeant Bluff-Luton (11-8) - [player_tooltip player_id='497354' first='Payton' last='Hardy'] (16.1 PPG 9.6 RPG, 3.2 APG), Alexa Tover (7.3 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 4.7 APG), Payton Schermrhorn (9.4 PPG, 5.2 RPG)</p>   <p>Denison -Schleswig Monarchs (3-16) - Kianna Schulz (12.4 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 1.9 APG), [player_tooltip player_id='63047' first='Olivia' last='Meyer'] (6.3 PPG), Mayah Slater (4.4 PPG, 4.4 RPG)</p>   <h2 class="has-medium-font-size">Prediction</h2>   <p>Though these teams records are all somewhat-spread apart a decent amount, the competition level in this region maybe on of the highest in all of the 4A class. The Crusaders will receive a first round bye and in which they will then play the winner of LeMars VS Storm Lake, which I think will be LeMars currently. LeMars and the Crusaders have met twice thus far this season with the Crusaders winning both contests, one by a difference of 10, one by 14. I think this proves that this game could be competitive but give me Bishop Heelan to move on to the region 3 finals. On the bottom side I picked the Spencer Tigers to move on for one reason, their offense. They are an offense with 3-5 different scoring weapons on any given night. That will be too much for their second round opponent, moving them to the region final to face off against the Crusaders. This one is tough but I'll take the Crusaders. I have a feeling their previous competition from this season and what they have learned about themselves up to this point will help them overcome anything the Tigers throw at them. </p>   <h2 class="has-large-font-size">Region 4</h2>   <p>Region 4 has three teams with winning records that have all succeeded this season for different reasons up until this point. The #1 seed being the Ballard Bombers. The Bombers are led by an elite talent in [player_tooltip player_id='314114' first='Alliyah' last='Thompson'], a forward who is EATING against her competition this season. The #2 seed was a close toss up between two teams but it eventually landed on the Carlisle Wildcats. The Wildcats are 14-6 in their first 20 games this season with some quality wins under their belt. </p>   <h2 class="has-medium-font-size">Teams & Their Leaders: </h2>   <p>Ballard Bombers (15-3) - [player_tooltip player_id='314114' first='Alliyah' last='Thompson'] (17.6 PPG, 6.8 RPG), Paige Noe (8.3 PPG, 4 APG), [player_tooltip player_id='160823' first='Lily' last='Hillebrand'] (7.4 PPG, 3.2 APG)</p>   <p>ADM Tigers (10-11) - [player_tooltip player_id='63069' first='Nicole' last='Storck'] (15.2 PPG, 9.7 RPG, 1.2 APG), [player_tooltip player_id='311354' first='Kelli' last='Storck'] (6 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 1 APG), Cameron Smith (4.6 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 3.3 APG)</p>   <p>Des Moines Hoover Huskies (3-17) - Alayna Jarrett (9.3 PPG, 2.4 RPG, 1 APG), Alexia Jarrett (2.8 PPG, 10 RPG), Takira Smith (1.7 PPG)</p>   <p>Carlisle Wildcats (14-6) - Isabelle Noring (13.2 PPG, 1.3 APG), [player_tooltip player_id='502236' first='Macy' last='Comito'] (12.1 PPG, 5.2 RPG), [player_tooltip player_id='63036' first='Katie' last='Keeney'] (9.5 PPG, 7.3 RPG) </p>   <p>Knoxville Panthers (14-7) - [player_tooltip player_id='1153860' first='Hannah' last='Dunkin'] (14.4 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 1.9 APG), Emma Dunkin (14.3 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 5 APG), Brittany Bacorn (11 PPG, 10 RPG)</p>   <p>Newton Cardnials (3-17) - Sophia Reynolds (13.3 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 2.4 APG), Cadie Horn (5.2 PPG, 6.2 RPG)</p>   <h2 class="has-medium-font-size">Prediction</h2>   <p>On the top side of the bracket here I like the Bombers to make it to the region finals. They are the most skilled, diverse, and efficient team in this entire region and I expect them to show that off here. Making it to the final with relative ease in their one game they will have to win against either ADM or Des Moines Hoover. On the bottom it becomes more competitive. The Wildcats will have to face off against the Knoxville Panthers in my opinion, leading for an intriguing round 2 matchup between Knoxville and Carlisle. Give me the upset and the Panthers to move on to face off VS the Bombers. Ultimately, I have the star power of the Bombers to be too much against Knoxville, living Ballard the region 4 championship of the 4A class.</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)