Playoffs - Class 5A: 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 kicks off our last article on regional play to start the post season. In R5 we have the Davenport North Wildcats as the featured team and #1 seed. The Wildcats have put together an 18-2 campaign during their regular season behind the play of their stars. The #2 seed is the Ankeny Hawks. The Hawks, who went 11-10 this season, are led by three big time players in [player_tooltip player_id='342205' first='Jayla' last='Williams'], [player_tooltip player_id='311376' first='Savannah' last='Gage'], and [player_tooltip player_id='63055' first='Jenna' last='Pitz']. </p>   <h2 class="has-medium-font-size">Teams & Their Leaders: </h2>   <p>Davenport North Wildcats (18-2) - [player_tooltip player_id='311365' first='Journey' last='Houston'] (18.9 PPG, 9.4 RPG, 2.7 APG), [player_tooltip player_id='311381' first='Divine' last='Bourrage'] (13.5 PPG, 7.7 RPG, 3.7 APG), Alyvia McCorkle (10.9 PPG) </p>   <p>Iowa City-City High Little Hawks (5-14) - [player_tooltip player_id='311373' first='August' last='Palmer'] (18.2 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 2.1 APG), Tessa Driscoll (9.4 PPG, 2.8 APG)</p>   <p>Muscatine Muskies (4-16) - Brylee Seaman (8.2 PPG, 6.6 RPG, 1 APG), Jazzy Jones (6.3 PPG, 5.2 RPG)</p>   <p>Ankeny Hawks (11-10) - [player_tooltip player_id='342205' first='Jayla' last='Williams'] (10.9 PPG, 6 RPG), [player_tooltip player_id='311376' first='Savannah' last='Gage'] (16 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 1.4 APG), Jennz Pitz (10.5 PPG, 4.2 APG) </p>   <p>Waukee Northwest Wolves (8-12) - [player_tooltip player_id='246156' first='Sadie' last='Maas'] (13.5 PPG, 7.7 RPG), [player_tooltip player_id='160548' first='Ke'Ayla' last='Madison'] (9.3 PPG, 2.4 APG) </p>   <h2 class="has-medium-font-size">Prediction </h2>   <p>Region 5, like most regions in this class, is stacked with individual talent within each program. Players who may not win a playoff game, or games but will work their tails off trying to will their teams to victory. The Davenport Wildcats will play the winner of Iowa City-City VS Muscatine in the second round of R5. I see that being the Little Hawks behind the play of [player_tooltip player_id='311373' first='August' last='Palmer']. An incredibly talented player in the class of 2025. In the second round I have the Wildcats taking care of business against the Little Hawks, moving them to the region 5 championship. On the bottoms side of this region we have a tighter matchup between the 2 and 3 seed. The Ankeny Hawks have had an up and down season up until this point while the Wolves really relied on the play of [player_tooltip player_id='246156' first='Sadie' last='Maas'], their leader and #1 playmaker. These teams have faced off once already with the Hawks winning at home by a slim margin. I expect the same result for this contest. Creating a Davenport North VS Ankeny region 5 championship. Keeping it simple, give me the Wildcats. If this game was played on a neutral floor or at Ankeny I would give the Hawks the slight edge as they have just as much offensive fire power as the Wildcats but because of home court advantage being in Davenport, this is going to propel the home team to victory. This game should be nothing short of incredible though as both of these teams, offensively, jump off the page. </p>   <h2 class="has-large-font-size">Region 6</h2>   <p>Ankeny Centennial went 14-6 during their regular season this year and is looking to take the momentum they have into the playoffs. The Jaguars are the #1 seed in region 6 while putting together a fantastic overall campaign this season. They feature a "three-headed dragon" in their attack and play some stout defense. The #2 seed follows right behind the Jags at 14-7 and that is the Linn-Mar Lions. Linn-Mar is a solid program with great depth. This region is going to get interesting and fast. </p>   <h2 class="has-medium-font-size">Teams & Their Leaders: </h2>   <p>Ankeny Centennial Jaguars (14-6) - Kennedy White (10.6 PPG, 5.4 RPG), [player_tooltip player_id='311360' first='Jaeden' last='Pratt'] (9.9 PPG, 8.1 RPG, 2 APG), [player_tooltip player_id='311377' first='Mya' last='Crawford'] (8.8 PPG, 8 RPG) </p>   <p>Urbandale J-Hawks (5-17) - Devon Carlie (6.8 PPG, 2.3 APG), Maddy Stutler (5.5 PPG), Taylor Mulligan (5.7 PPG, 2.9 RPG, 1 APG) </p>   <p>Marshalltown Bobcats (3-18) - Sara Huffman (6.8 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 1 APG), [player_tooltip player_id='1106192' first='Sydney' last='Kapayou'] (5.1 PPG, 4 RPG), Kinsley Bowie (2.8 PPG, 1 APG) </p>   <p>Linn-Mar Lions (14-7) - Zoe Kennedy (14.6 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 2.5 APG), [player_tooltip player_id='63014' first='Taylor' last='Brunson'] (12.9 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 3.6 APG), [player_tooltip player_id='592198' first='Dreya' last='Kern'] (2 APG) </p>   <p>Bettendorf Bulldogs (11-10) - [player_tooltip player_id='429855' first='Lillie' last='Petersen'] (15.3 PPG, 13.3 RPG, 2 APG), Faith Furness (6.3 PPG, 3.5 APG), Kayla Fountain (9 PPG) </p>   <h2 class="has-medium-font-size">Prediction</h2>   <p>The Ankeny Centennial Jags are going to be firing on full force coming into the post season and they are going to need it because this region is going to get intense. In the second round I have the Jags beating either Urbandale or Marshalltown to move onto the R7 championship. In the other second round matchup you have the Lin-Marr Lions VS the Bettendorf Bulldogs. The Lions have had some quality wins this season to help them reach their record of 14-7. The Bulldogs have had a nice year in their own right, going 11-10 behind the play of their star center and one of the top centers in her class in [player_tooltip player_id='429855' first='Lillie' last='Petersen']. In this one where one team excels the other one struggles so it's going to be a heavy weight matchup to kick things off in the post season for both these groups. I'm going to choose the favorite in the Lions as they have more weapons to score if their main options were to be shut down by the Bulldogs great defense. I don't think it works the other way around as if the Lions create a plan to stop Petersen, it's going to be a long night for the road team. In the championship I will take the Jaguars of Ankeny Centennial to move forward. They're top three players in Kennedy White, [player_tooltip player_id='311360' first='Jaeden' last='Pratt'], and [player_tooltip player_id='311377' first='Mya' last='Crawford'] are all ranked in the state and have played consistent all season. Not just this season but for their high school careers more so. They are going to be the team to beat her until they face someone who can matchup with them better. </p>   <h2 class="has-large-font-size">Region 7</h2>   <p>The #1, #2. and #3 seed in region 7 were a virtual toss up this season as all three teams possess the same record at 13-7. The #1 seed was given to the Southeast Polk Rams and the #2 seed went to the Iowa City-Liberty Lightning. Both programs, that if they were to end their season today, could say they had a successful year up until this point. A general view of both teams is that the Rams come in with more fire power but the Lightning have the biggest star power in the form of one player in [player_tooltip player_id='63007' first='Jasmine' last='Barney']. </p>   <h2 class="has-medium-font-size">Teams & Their Leaders: </h2>   <p>Southeast Polk Rams (13-7) - [player_tooltip player_id='63020' first='Brooklin' last='Dailey'] (14.3 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 1.7 APG), [player_tooltip player_id='63016' first='Stella' last='Charleston'] (12.5 PPG), [player_tooltip player_id='311394' first='Alyssa' last='Bartlett'] (10.1 PPG, 7 RPG) </p>   <p>Cedar Rapids-Jefferson J-Hawks (8-14) - [player_tooltip player_id='342210' first='Emma' last='Slings'] (16.1 PPG, 6.4 RPG, 3 APG), [player_tooltip player_id='160554' first='Aubrey' last='Luvan'] (7.5 PPG, 1.6 APG), [player_tooltip player_id='63028' first='Jariah' last='Harris'] (8.2 PPG, 4.5 RPG) </p>   <p>Cedar Rapids-Washington Warriors (1-20) - [player_tooltip player_id='502240' first='Samantha' last='Becker'] (13 PPG, 3.8 RPG), Jamiah Malone (4.2 PPG, 3.7 RPG) </p>   <p>Iowa City-Liberty Lightning (13-7) - [player_tooltip player_id='63007' first='Jasmine' last='Barney'] (15.8 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 3.7 APG), Madeline Casey (8.6 PPG), Avery Gaudet (6.1 PPG, 1.5 APG) </p>   <p>Ottumwa Bulldogs (13-7) - [player_tooltip player_id='537932' first='Camdyn' last='Crouse'] (11.2 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 3 APG), Hunter Caldwell (6.9 PPG, 5.7 RPG), Nellie Morgan (6.3 PPG, 4.6 RPG) </p>   <h2 class="has-medium-font-size">Prediction</h2>   <p>The first round of R7 will be a face-off between two Cedar Rapids schools that have already seen each other this season. The Jefferson J-Hawks and the Washington Warriors. Jefferson is headlined by two seniors and future college players in [player_tooltip player_id='342210' first='Emma' last='Slings'] and [player_tooltip player_id='160554' first='Aubrey' last='Luvan']. Slings is a shifty point guard and team leader while Luvan can also run some point but is a knock down three point shooter at the same time. Washington has had a rough year but is very young. They are going to take a lot of lessons from this season and use them to be successful in the near future behind their own star in [player_tooltip player_id='502240' first='Samantha' last='Becker']. This year though it will be the J-Hawks moving on to face off against the Rams in round 2. This is going to lead to a fun matchup between some talented stars. The Rams are going to have home court, a rest week prior to playing their first game, and a deeper bench. When accounting for all of these factors, give me the Rams to host the R7 championship. When it comes to the bottom side of this region we have two more teams with similar record but don't let that fool you, one team is a tad bit better then another and that is the Lightning. The competition they have had to face this season in general has just been tougher, preparing them more for big moments like these. Give me the Lightning to face the Rams for the region 7 finale where I have the Rams winning to move to the state tournament. Southeast has beaten other ranked teams all season long and hasn't shown a real "low" point. They all do their jobs, keep it simple, and it's led to success. I don't think they need to change anything up here. If they just play their game and play efficiently throughout the entirety of games, they will be just fine. </p>   <h2 class="has-large-font-size">Region 8</h2>   <p>Region 8 is featuring two teams on top that I think are clearly better than everyone else around them here in bracket play but does that mean they are going to win? Not necessarily. The first team coming into region 8 is the #1 seed Cedar Fall Tigers. The Tigers are 14-6 this season and really competing VS some teams that you wouldn't expect. The #2 seed falls slightly behind Cedar Falls as it is the Valley Tigers. Valley is sitting at 13-8 thus far behind the play of [player_tooltip player_id='246134' first='Elise' last='Jaeger'] and Brynee Katcher, two individuals who leave it all on the floor, night in and night out. </p>   <h2 class="has-medium-font-size">Teams & Their Leaders: </h2>   <p>Cedar Falls Tigers (14-6) - [player_tooltip player_id='246163' first='Grace' last='Knutson'] (21 PPG, 7.8 RPG, 3.2 APG), [player_tooltip player_id='582805' first='Karis' last='Finley'] (11.9 PPG, 2.9 APG) </p>   <p>Waterloo East Trojans (9-12) - Jaelah Stanford (10.1 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 3 APG) , [player_tooltip player_id='881948' first='Graysyn' last='Downing'] (7.9 PPG), [player_tooltip player_id='1056216' first='Siyanna' last='Cody'] (6.9 PPG, 4.2 RPG, 1.8 APG) </p>   <p>Dubuque Hempstead (1-20) - [player_tooltip player_id='314126' first='Camdyn' last='Kay'] (15.9 PPG, 6.9 RPG, 2.3 APG), Candler Houselog (12 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 1.3 APG), Kialah Hill (5.6 PPG, 2.2 APG) </p>   <p>Valley Tigers (13-8) - [player_tooltip player_id='246134' first='Elise' last='Jaeger'] (13 PPG, 9 RPG, 2.1 APG), [player_tooltip player_id='63034' first='Brynne' last='Katcher'] (11.7 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 2.1 APG), [player_tooltip player_id='314159' first='Elan' last='Litt'] (6.7 PPG, 2.9 APG)</p>   <p>Praire Hawks (10-11) - [player_tooltip player_id='502095' first='Emily' last='Larsen'] (8.4 PPG, 4.6 RPG), [player_tooltip player_id='502228' first='Brynlie' last='Hadenfeldt'] (8.3 PPG), [player_tooltip player_id='794878' first='Asia' last='Beale'] (7.1 PPG, 3.3 RPG) </p>   <h2 class="has-medium-font-size">Prediction </h2>   <p>When we take all the factors into consideration for these five teams above it isn't hard to see that the region 8 finale is going to be played between the two Tigers teams. They are both the most experienced, have the most depth player wise from 1-10, have the most offensive capabilities, have the ability to stop their opponent, and have had recent success. In the championship I do like the upset though. I like Valley to really put it together over these next few weeks and make their way to state. They are going to be the deeper team in this contest. If they can stop [player_tooltip player_id='246163' first='Grace' last='Knutson'] then I think they are in really good shape. On the flip side if Cedar Falls stopped [player_tooltip player_id='246134' first='Elise' last='Jaeger'] then Valley has other players who could step up and get the job done. Give me the Valley Tigers to make the state tournament. </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)