High School Preseason: Class 5A – Not So Long Shots
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Every season there are a few teams out there in each class that would be consider “long shots”. Teams that have a slim chance of winning it all this season in their perspective class but sometimes a chance is all…
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Continue ReadingEvery season there are a few teams out there in each class that would be consider “long shots”. Teams that have a slim chance of winning it all this season in their perspective class but sometimes a chance is all you need. Below are four programs to take notice in before the season tips off in a few months. Each team has the potential to put something together and make a playoff run before the season comes to an end.
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Iowa City – City High Little Hawks (6-16)
- Returning 3/5 starters from last season.
- PG – August Palmer August Palmer 5'10" | PG Iowa City-City High | 2025 State IA is a D1 level guard who can change the outcome of games, based on her performance solely.
- This team will still have 2-3 holes to fill in their offense but their guard play could be some of the best in the state at that position when you account for who they have on their roster.
- The biggest question for me will be how good can Palmer be. To what level can she take this team at the end of the season. A player with her size and skill has a lot of possibilities moving forward.
Cedar Falls Tigers (15-7)
- Returning 5/5 starters from last season.
- Guard & Drake commit – Grace Knutson Grace Knutson 5'10" | SG Cedar Falls | 2024 State IA will be looked at by her teammates in the biggest of moments this season. Knutson is a high level, D1 commit, who is going to be back with the same core group of players they had last season.
- With the same group returning, their biggest question for me will be can they make up for how last season ended. A group of great players, that has been together for quite sometime, is going to need to play with intent and a chip on their shoulder. If they do that and come in pissed off, they will have a real shot at the state tournament to end this upcoming season.
- In all the contests that this group lost last year, it’s because they couldn’t put points on the board a majority of the time. This offseason has given this coaching staff and players time to grow, so that they can come back and learn how to adapt a little bit quicker.
Dubuque Senior Rams (12-11)
- Returning 0/5 starters from last season.
- This team will need to find a new identity. Not only are they not bringing back any starters. The players that came off their bench were mostly seniors as well.
- This means that there is going to be a ton of opportunities open on the floor for the younger players. This roster did have a freshman, sophomore, and a handful of juniors last season. Those players will need to step up in a big way this year.
- This year is very important in a program. One that is going to set the foundation of years to come if done correctly. They need to set a good base for what they want their program to become in the future and live by that. If they do that, work hard, and put the right players in the right spots, they are going to have success in the long term.
Cedar Rapid – Jefferson J-Hawks (9-15)
- Returning 0/5 starters from last season.
- This team will lose everyone starting from last season but they do return a bench along with a few other players that have some skill.
- The 2027 class for this program is a big key. They have 3-5 players, that at the end of their high school careers, could be solid varsity players known throughout the state of Iowa.
- The J-Hawks situation is much like the Rams above. This team needs to set a good foundation this season, for the future. If they do that and the new players coming in can expanding how they are suppose too, then the J-Hawks will be thriving as a program before you know it.