Playoffs - Class 4A: 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>Region 5 of the 4A class has three out of the six teams with over .500 records going into the post season. The #1 seed in this region is the Decorah Vikings, who come in at 18-2. They play a diverse lineup with a group of players from all four high-school grades, showing their depth and versatility. The #2 seed is the Mason City Riverhawks. The Riverhawks are 12-6 behind the production of their top three players in [player_tooltip player_id='246120' first='Reggi' last='Spotts'], [player_tooltip player_id='957659' first='Machaela' last='Trask'], and [player_tooltip player_id='314151' first='Kelsey' last='McDonough']. </p>   <h2 class="has-medium-font-size">Teams & Their Leaders: </h2>   <p>Decorah Vikings (18-2) - [player_tooltip player_id='314100' first='Yazmeen' last='Whitsitt'] (20.3 PPG, 2 APG), [player_tooltip player_id='63021' first='Bryar' last='Duwe'] (17.9 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 3.6 APG), Brooklyn Fromm (6.3 PPG, 3.5 RPG) </p>   <p>West Delaware Hawks (6-15) - Brooke Krogmann (16.7 PPG, 8.8 RPG), Kennedy Klostermann (8.1 PPG, 3.9 RPG), Susie Funke (5.4 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 1.6 APG)</p>   <p>Independence Mustangs (6-15) - Annie Johnson (9.4 PPG, 6.6 RPG), Addison Lange (6.4 PPG, 1.7 APG)</p>   <p>Mason City Riverhawks (12-6) - [player_tooltip player_id='246120' first='Reggi' last='Spotts'] (18.3 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 3.9 APG), [player_tooltip player_id='957659' first='Machaela' last='Trask'] (8.9 PPG), [player_tooltip player_id='314151' first='Kelsey' last='McDonough'] (8.6 PPG, 1.7 APG) </p>   <p>Charles City Comets (2-17) - Ava Ellis (10.8 PPG, 4.3 RPG), Delaney Ruzicka (6.6 PPG, 5.3 RPG), Maggie Boss (3.3 PPG, 1 APG) </p>   <p>Waverly-Shell Rock Go-Hawks (15-5) - [player_tooltip player_id='645211' first='Katelyn' last='Eggena'] (16 PPG, 8.9 RPG, 1.7 APG, Emma Thompson (7.2 PPG, 5.5 RPG)</p>   <h2 class="has-medium-font-size">Prediction</h2>   <p>Other then the top two teams in this region who receive an obvious advantage in the form of a first round bye and home court advantage, the third team that was right behind them was Waverly-Shell Rock. The Go-Hawks were right behind the Riverhawks record wise at 15-5. I thought that was important to mention in that Wearily has put together a tremendous season thus far. On the top side of this bracket I have the Vikings doing their usual work and winning in their matchup against either West Delaware VS Independence to get to the region championship. On the bottom side I imagine it will be a second round face-off between the Riverhawks and Go-Hawks. I'm going to give the slight edge and win to Mason City as they have one or two more offensive weapons that could show up throughout this contest, proving be vital in securing the victory. In the region final I'm going to take the favorite in the Decorah Vikings to move forward. They have put together an impressive year thus far because of the hard work and perseverance they showed in the off-season. Their skill players have been competing on another level as of recent and I expect them to keep that up throughout this post season. </p>   <h2 class="has-large-font-size">Region 6</h2>   <p>Two teams that went to state a year ago return in this region which means only one can be moving forward, who will it be? The #1 seed in region 6 is the returning state champs in the Xavier Saints. A team who has followed a championship year with a 13-7 record throughout their first 20 games. The #2 seed is the Central Dewitt Sabers. The Sabers are 14-6 behind the play of [player_tooltip player_id='311388' first='Lauren' last='Walker'] and Regan Hofer, a duo who are averaging 28 PPG combined this season.</p>   <h2 class="has-medium-font-size">Teams & Their Leaders: </h2>   <p>Xavier Saints (13-7) - [player_tooltip player_id='311363' first='Libby' last='Fandel'] (16.5 PPG, 6.5 RPG, 3 APG), Kyla Mason (16 PPG, 6.8 RPG), [player_tooltip player_id='311380' first='Sydney' last='Huber'] (9.4 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 1.5 APG) </p>   <p>Marion Wolves (10-9) - [player_tooltip player_id='63012' first='Ella' last='Bockenstedt'] (12.8 PPG, 7.4 RPG) , [player_tooltip player_id='63060' first='Regan' last='Rice'] (7.9 PPG, 1.7 APG), [player_tooltip player_id='788530' first='Madeline' last='Pavelka'] (7.4 PPG, 7.7 RPG)</p>   <p>Clinton River Queens (3-17) - Veronica Ramirez (7.8 PPG, 6.5 RPG, 1 APG), Emma Riessen (6.4 PPG, 4.6 RPG), Alex Tucker (5.4 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 1.3 APG)</p>   <p>Central DeWitt Sabers (14-6) - [player_tooltip player_id='311388' first='Lauren' last='Walker'] (15.8 PPG), Reagan Hofer (11.2 PPG, 4.5 RPG), Ava Gutmann (8.3 PPG, 1.9 APG)</p>   <p>Maquoketa Cardinals (13-9) - [player_tooltip player_id='534428' first='Aubrey' last='Kroymann'] (15.9 PPG, 7.2 RPG), [player_tooltip player_id='558218' first='Cora' last='Widel'] (10.8 PPG, 4.8 RPG), Carley Cavanagh (8.4 PPG, 2.2 APG) </p>   <p>Western Dubuque Bobcats (3-17) - [player_tooltip player_id='656438' first='Karrington' last='Asp'] (11.9 PPG, 6.9 RPG), Carson Koerperich (10.3 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 2.8 APG)</p>   <h2 class="has-medium-font-size">Prediction</h2>   <p>There are four teams here to know. The Xavier Saints, Marian Wolves, Central DeWitt Sabers, and Maquoketa Cardinals. Not to count anyone out as anything can happen on any given night but at this point in the game it's all about matchup's, these four teams have the players with the skill to have the best matchup's on the floor against their opponents. With that being said I like the returning state champs to win their second round matchup and move to the region 6 final while on the bottom I like the upset. I've seen the Maquoketa Cardinals a handful of times this season and they have a group that could surprise a lot of teams behind the play of [player_tooltip player_id='534428' first='Aubrey' last='Kroymann'] and [player_tooltip player_id='558218' first='Cora' last='Widel'], two lengthy forwards who can score in bunches. That sets us up for a Saints VS Cardinals region 6 championship, where I think the Saints finish the job and beat the Cards. Their program is too deep. 1 through 7 can score, defend, and they never give up or stop working. The Saints to advance. </p>   <h2 class="has-large-font-size">Region 7</h2>   <p>Region 7 levels up a notch when it comes to competitiveness between programs. The #1 seed and #2 seed both come in with impressive records but the 3rd and 4th seed aren't too far behind. The #1 seed is the Clear Creek Amana Clippers. The Clippers are 15-4 this season while only registering a handful of loses. The #2 seed is the North Scott Lady Lancers who are 10-9. The Lancers are loaded up offensively and have stacked up some impressive wins thus far during the regular season.</p>   <h2 class="has-medium-font-size">Teams & Their Leaders: </h2>   <p>Clear Creek Amana Clippers (15-4) - [player_tooltip player_id='545646' first='Ava' last='Locklear'] (13.8 PPG, 10.2 RPG, 3.4 APG), [player_tooltip player_id='509225' first='Averie' last='Lower'] (11.6 PPG, 3.1 APG), [player_tooltip player_id='592181' first='Bliss' last='Beck'] (11.1 PPG) </p>   <p>Fort Madison Bloodhounds (14-6) - [player_tooltip player_id='63039' first='Camille' last='Kruse'] (18.7 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 4.2 APG), Molly Knipe (4.8 PPG, 7.1 RPG) </p>   <p>Mount Pleasant Panthers (11-11) - [player_tooltip player_id='342198' first='Andrea' last='Lopreato'] (20.1 PPG, 13.5 RPG, 2.5 APG), Tristian Shull (11.1 PPG, 2.8 APG), Kate Schimmelpfennig (4.2 PPG, 4 RPG) </p>   <p>North Scott Lady Lancers (10-9) - Makayla Farmum (13.8 PPG, 5.6 RPG), Lauren Golinghorst (15.2 PPG, 6.1 RPG), Cora O'Neil (9.1 PPG) </p>   <p>Keokuk Chiefs (15-5) - [player_tooltip player_id='560333' first='Kendra' last='Boatman'] (12.6 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 4.4 APG), Kayde Martin (11.9 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 2.7 APG), Camryn Atterburg (6.2 RPG) </p>   <p>Burlington Grayhounds (4-13) - [player_tooltip player_id='832219' first='Mylee' last='Stiefel'] (17.6 PPG, 2.5 APG), Lily Bartles (6.6 PPG, 4.2 RPG) </p>   <h2 class="has-medium-font-size">Prediction</h2>   <p>On the top side of the region 7 bracket the first round matchup between Fort Madison and Mount Pleasant is going to be an interesting one. They have previously faced off two other times this season with the Bloodhounds coming out on top in both. It is always said that it is hard to beat a team three times in a season but in this case I like Fort Madison to be too much for the Panthers. It may take more than regulation though as both games prior to this one were a 5 point difference. With Fort Madison moving on they will face-off against the #1 seeded CCA Clippers. Where I have the Clippers keeping their #1 ranking held high as they run past Fort Madison to get to the region championship. On the bottom side I predict the second round matchup to be the Keokuk Chiefs VS North Scott. North Scott is led by the duo of Makayla Farmum and Lauren Golinghorst while Keokuk has a star in their own with [player_tooltip player_id='560333' first='Kendra' last='Boatman']. This game is really a toss up to me. It could go either way when you look at the record but I think the recent success of North Scott in the playoffs along with their upperclassmen will push them to the region 7 final. In the final I will take the CCA Clippers over North Scott. The Clippers are loaded up this year with junior and senior talent at the front along with some key freshman playing some big minutes. Freshman like [player_tooltip player_id='509225' first='Averie' last='Lower'], who has been a bucket. The Clips really hold the potential to get to the state tournament in my eyes but they are going to just take it one game at a time until the state championship game. </p>   <h2 class="has-large-font-size">Region 8</h2>   <p>Region 8 caps off the regional play for the 4A class this season. The #1 seed in this region comes in at 16-4 in the Pella Dutch. The Dutch have stung together an impressive campaign so far this year and are looking to add onto it. The #2 seed in R8 and sitting right behind the Dutch's record wise is the Lewis Central Titans. The Titans are 14-4 in their first 18 games and are firing on all cylinders coming into the post-season. Hoping they can make a big splash and shock some teams. </p>   <h2 class="has-medium-font-size">Teams & Their Leaders: </h2>   <p>Pella Dutch (16-4) - Kylie Tauke (12.5 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 2.1 APG), [player_tooltip player_id='246118' first='Kennedy' last='Van Vark'] (10.1 PPG, 2.4 APG), Hailey Van Vark (4.3 RPG) </p>   <p>Winterset Huskies (11-9) - Reagan Coobs (8.8 PPG, 3.9 RPG), Avery Darling (6.9 PPG, 4 RPG, 1.9 APG), [player_tooltip player_id='63072' first='Jena' last='Young'] (14.8 PPG, 3.6 APG)</p>   <p>Oskaloosa Indians (9-11) - Presley Bloomers (18.7 PPG, 2.9 APG), [player_tooltip player_id='582828' first='Dasia' last='Foster'] (12.5 PPG, 13.4 RPG), Lydia Van Veldhuizen (6.3 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 1.7 APG) </p>   <p>Lewis Central Titans (14-4) - [player_tooltip player_id='314138' first='Lucy' last='Scott'] (15.5 PPG), [player_tooltip player_id='1005087' first='Brooke' last='Larsen'] (13.9 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 2.5 APG), Kylee Brown (6.3 PPG, 3.4 RPG) </p>   <p>Glenwood Rams (12-8) - [player_tooltip player_id='63558' first='Jenna' last='Hopp'] (24.6 PPG, 12.9 RPG, 3 APG), Kate Hughes (9.6 PPG, 2.4 APG), Danika Arnold (7.4 PPG, 3.9 Reg)</p>   <p>Creston Panthers (6-14) - Doryn Paup (21.5 PPG, 11.6 RPG), Navaeh Randall (5.7 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 2.5 APG)</p>   <h2 class="has-medium-font-size">Prediction </h2>   <p>Looking at the individual players in this region and you have one of the best regions in the entire class. When you are talking about players like Kylie Tauke, Presley Bloomers, [player_tooltip player_id='63558' first='Jenna' last='Hopp'], [player_tooltip player_id='582828' first='Dasia' last='Foster'], [player_tooltip player_id='1005087' first='Brooke' last='Larsen'], etc..you are talking about some high division players in a lot of aspects. On the top side of our final 4A region I like the first round to go to Presley Bloomers and the Indians. They may have the worser records of the two teams but I think she is enough along with [player_tooltip player_id='582828' first='Dasia' last='Foster'] to will their team to the second round. In the second round it's going to be a battle but give me the Indians to move on again. This would be more of a shocking upset to most but it is possible. Everything is going to have to go right for the Indians and wrong for the Dutch since Pella receives home court advantage but it's possible. On the bottom side I like the Glenwood Rams VS the Lewis Central Titans to see each-other in round 2 with the Rams moving forward. The Rams have a D1 committed guard in [player_tooltip player_id='63558' first='Jenna' last='Hopp'] and I expect her to shine. She is going to be too much for the Trojans to handle all game long. Giving us the Oskaloosa Indians VS the Glenwood Rams in the R8 championship. A battle of two teams with good but not great records, two star guards, and a lot of key players to back them. This one, like the other games in this specific region, is going to come down to star power and who can stop the others teams best player. If the stars shine then I expect the Rams to walk out of this region with the crown as [player_tooltip player_id='63558' first='Jenna' last='Hopp'] is going to show everyone she is one of the best guards in this state no matter the class. I will take the Rams. </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)