2023 State Tournament: Some More Standouts
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Kennedy White IA #30 PF #7 HEIGHT 6'1" POS PF CLASS 2023 View Profile Kennedy White State: Iowa School: Ankeny Centennial Kennedy White has been the consistent inside presence for the Ankeny Centennial Jaguars over the past few seasons. This…
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Continue ReadingKennedy White has been the consistent inside presence for the Ankeny Centennial Jaguars over the past few seasons. This year White really took control of the paint and worked really well around the basket. When I first saw her in the summer previous to the season she jumped out to me because of her height, but its the skill she possesses with that height that made her a vital piece to this groups state run this season. Adding to that, when she competed at state she played fantastic. She had the job of guarding the basket from Sahara Williams Sahara Williams 5’11” | SF Waterloo West | 2023 State IA in round 1 of the state tournament and she held her own, giving the Jags a big win to move toward the semi’s. In the Semi’s they happen to fall just short but left everything out on the court. Like I mentioned above White’s skill is tremendous. She is a tall center with great balance, good hands, and good coordination around the hoop. Looking forward she will be visiting a handful of colleges during her spring break to figure out where her next home will be. Whatever place lands her is getting a hard-worker and a steal out of this 2023 class.
Dike-New Hartford ended up winning the 2A state championship this season. Maryn Bixby Maryn Bixby 5’11” | SG Dike-New Hartford | 2024 State IA was a big part of that. Bixby, a player who isn’t talked about the most because of the star-studded cast around her, was excellent for the Wolverines this season and during their state run. Her skill mixed with length is something that you don’t see too often around the state of Iowa. She is listed at 6’1 but seems a bit taller, not to mention longer when she is in the front of her squads full court press. She is listed as a forward but basically plays a combo guard position, with the ability to move from the 2-4 positions at the high school level. This group is going to be back at state next season again as long as they take care of the teams in front of them one game at a time and play how they did this past season. They lose some players but return mostly everyone, including 3 of 5 seniors. Bixby will be an important piece to their puzzle this next season, something I’m sure she is already aware of.
Addison Klosterbuer Addison Klosterbuer 5’9″ | SG Central Lyon | 2023 State IA is the shooter she was hyped up to be, trust me. I saw skill moves from her that I have not seen for anyone else this high school season. Klosterbuer, the University of South Dakota women’s basketball commit, was in her BAG at the state tournament. This includes three pointers that would be considered deep by NBA standards, a smooth and shifty handle into a step back going left, and the ability to finish going to the hoop while hitting a nice euro step or step-over move. When we talk about the best offensive players at the state tournament throughout all classes I think we can all agree she is the best shooter that the state saw a few weeks ago. I’m expecting her to make a big impact for her college program next season. She is seasoned enough as a player to see the floor right away but it’s going to take some hard work and dedication in the off-season, something I’m sure she has already been working on since the state tournament ended 2 weeks ago.
Hailey Miller Hailey Miller 5’8″ | SG Solon | 2024 State IA may not have started for her Solon Spartans team this season but she would definitely be my vote for 6th man of the year in the state of Iowa. Miller, a quick shooting guard, did a little bit of everything for the Spartans this year, most importantly she brought a needed energy off the bench that really shined when she saw the floor. At the end of games Miller would stay on the floor in big moments, showing everything that her coaches trust her in the most important spots throughout the contest. Overall, I’d say Miller had one of the more successful seasons for the Junior class with her best basketball being played down the stretch and into the state tournament. Looking into next year this group is going to have another great shot of making it to state and will most likely be the #1 or #2 ranked 3A team in the state going into the season, an honor the Spartans won’t be taking lightly. Hopefully Miller can move to that starting role and keep up the same production, a goal she will have on her mind going into the fall and something that is more than do-able.