High School Preseason: Class 3A – 4 More Teams To Know

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are four more teams out of the 3A class that could surprise this upcoming winter season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Thanks for tuning in and enjoy!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Washington High School (7-14)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Washington high school may not of had the season they were looking for last winter but that all changes this time around. A roster that will bring back two underclassmen starters in [player_tooltip player_id='502091' first='Adalyn' last='Long'] and [player_tooltip player_id='561695' first='Leighton' last='Messinger'], will also have a plethora of other young players that will now have some varsity experience from last season.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>I expect that this season is going to be the one when the Demons find out who they really are. This is a program that will be capable for taking their program deep into the playoffs over the next few years if they set a good foundation 2023-2024.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Washington's schedule is one of those that helps them going into the 3A playoffs. They face a decent amount of teams that understand what it is like to play elite level basketball and this will help prepare the Demons in the long run. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>I'll be in attendance to see this team play a handful of times this season and I'm expecting to see some fireworks. A program with young talent can be tricky to manage but if done right, the sky could be the limit. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Southeast Valley High School (7-14)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>The Southeast Valley Jaguars will return 4/5 starters from a year ago and that is going to fair well for them in most of their matchups this upcoming season.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>A rosters that started 4 juniors and a senior last year, is sure to have experience on their side in most games this winter. Experience can win you big games when it matters the most and so if Southeast can put together some momentum when the Playoffs role around, everyone should watch out.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>The dynamic player from this group returning is [player_tooltip player_id='342203' first='Breck' last='Mills']. Mills is a long and athletic CG/F. She can do several things but I think the most important factor to note is - there is no reason she shouldn't kill her matchup in every game she plays up until the State Tournament. She is too lengthy and agile to not be a difference maker. She is college committed to play at the next level but this winter I need to see that killer instinct. If I see that, the Jaguars will have it cooking.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>After Mills shows her dominance, everyone else needs to step up and do their part. Whatever that is. Wether it's scoring 30 a game or grabbing 20 boards, it does not matter. If everyone does their job, they could beat some good teams this season on their way to Des Moines.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Roland-Story High School (12-11)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Another program that will return 4/5 starters from a year ago. As well as a deep bench full of Juniors returning that will be experienced from their time on the floor last season. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>While looking at the stats for the Norsemen last season you start see trends of average numbers. The team went 12-11 overall, they score 47.3 PPG while allowing 47.1 PPG, stuff like that. If they want to take a step up this season they will need to standout in some category against their opponents. Wether that be rebounding, scoring, ect.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Another glaring stat that will need to be fixed this season is their Turnover-to-Assist Ratio. As a team last season, the Norseman averaged 12 APG and 16 TPG. Something that will be flipped if they want a shot at making a big Playoff run after the regular season comes to a close.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>They do have a defined offensive leader on the floor in [player_tooltip player_id='311371' first='Claire' last='Truesdell']. She averaged 10 PPG and 4 RPG as a Sophomore last season and is looking to build on that going into her Junior season this winter. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Assumption High School (14-9)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Will return 2/5 starters, including their 6/7/8 player from last season roster when they went 14-9 overall.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Alike most other programs in this 3A class, Assumption will need to rely on their young core to help them create a foundation for future players to come build off of. They do have a few upperclassmen that will be their experienced leaders this year but overall, it's a young group that will do a majority of the lifting moving forward. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>The competition level that the Knights play in the regular season is impressive. It gets them ready for the playoffs and shows them the holes that they need to patch before they try to make a state run at the end of the year. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>This program finished middle of the pack last season and I know they want that to change. They have every piece to make some waves this winter in the 3A class. They just need to take it one game at a time and they will have a successful season go look back on at the end of the day. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list -->