Top Ranking Teams - Taking Care Of Business

As the start of the high school basketball season has recently gotten underway, we have seen some really good matchups to begin the year and some interesting results because of it. For the most part, the top teams in the state have came in this winter prepared. Their record might not necessarily reflect that at this moment but that's a formality. Most of these highly ranked teams, scheduled very challenging games to start this 2023-2024 season. With that being said, most have held their own in these games and if they haven't, they have bounced back in a big way.   In the article below I will be highlighting a handful of the Top Rankings Teams in the state and briefly explain how they/their star players, have competed to begin the year.   Thanks for tuning in and enjoy!   Solon High School (4-0)   The Solon Spartans have started right where they left off from a year ago. They kick-off this season with a 4-0 record, grabbing a few wins against a handful of top ranking teams, including the #1 team in the 2A Class. Going into this season, the Spartans have been everyone's favorite team in 3A to bring home the trophy. It's not going to be as easy as everyone is making it out to be but with the pace they are on right now, I'm not sure what team in that Class is going to step up and stop the Spartans. We are only at week two of the season but it's obvious that this is the team to beat this winter. If they stay calm and collected, follow their leaders in [player_tooltip player_id='246099' first='Callie' last='Levin'] and [player_tooltip player_id='314120' first='Hailey' last='Miller'], then we should be seeing them on the State floor before this year comes to close. They just need to keep riding their momentum and it'll work out.   Ankeny Centennial High School (3-1)   A team that possesses several collegiate level players, the Ankeny Centennial Jaguars have started off their season on a positive note. They currently sit at 3-1 throughout their first 4 games and that's something they should be proud of. They already have a big win over the returning 5A State Champs and have demonstrated that they have what it takes to make a run this Playoff season. As of most recent, they did fall in a loss on the road last night to Dowling Catholic but that's nothing to be ashamed of. That's another program with top-notch coaching and personal. If anything, they need to take it as a learning lesson and show everyone that they can bounce back in a major way. Just like with all of these other programs that I am going to speak about here, if they work on playing their own game, they will have a good chance to win on most occasions this year. They just need to take it one game at a time.   Dowling Catholic High School (2-2)   To kick off the 2023-2024 season, the Dolwing Catholic Maroons took their talents across the border and played against some competition from another state. A move, I personally love. I think that's the best case scenario for teams to play against competition that is going to make them think outside of the box and adapt. As an evaluator, those are the types of teams and players that become successful in today's game. Since this trip, the Maroons have sketched a 2-2 record, with an important win last night against a top ranked Ankeny Centennial team. Like I've said, it's early on in the season for all of these program and most people are still getting their footing. If they stay on the path and continue to improve each day, they will be floating around the Top 5 in the 5A Class all season long with a chance to make a statement once the Playoff's begin.   Regina Catholic High School (2-1)   Regina Catholic has been an interesting team to watch these first few weeks of play. They haven't jumped off of the screen as I would have imagined but that are definitely a team to know going into the 2A Playoffs in 2024. What has always stood out about this program is their preparation. They are always ready to go coming into the season and they always get better as the season goes on. As they win more and more games, they start to adapt to what they do best and that has created a lot of success over the past few years. This season everything that this team does is going to be behind the lead of their PG, [player_tooltip player_id='311391' first='Morgan' last='Miller']. Miller is a pivotal game changer on both sides of the floor and is the difference in this team winning or losing each night. This team can go far this winter behind Miller but it's going to take a lot of hard work and perseverance. As for right now though, they look good.   Bishop Heelan High School (2-1)   A top 10 team of the 3A class coming into the season and continuing on that path throughout the first two weeks of play is Bishop Heelan High School. Bishop Heelan is a program that competed at the state tournament a year ago and they are hoping to repeat that once again this time around. As of most recent, the Crusaders have beaten #9 Sioux City East at home last night by a final score of 51-49. A contest that plays much like a rivalry, was filled with intense emotion while the teams battled back and forth. In the end, the Crusaders got the victory but this is one of those contests that both teams should hold their heads high. These are two, high-potential, state-type teams this season. They both had their pro's and con's throughout the game, giving them each something to work on moving forward. We are going to hear about both of these programs a few times again this winter with the personal they each possess, there no doubt about that.   North Mahaska High School (2-0)   A top team, that most people don't talk or know about is the North Mahaska Warhawks. The Warhawks are ranked #7 in their perspective Class and have been killing it to begin this season. A lot of the reasoning for this is because of the play of their star guard, [player_tooltip player_id='311368' first='Breckyn' last='Schilling']. Now as to what position Schilling actually is, that's up for debate to some. In my opinion, she is a long and athletic player but very quick on her feet. For example, she has the ability to switch and stay with the point guard in situations or she can move to guard a bigger individual near the paint. Not to mention, she has a solid handle and good vision when looking to distribute to an open teammate. Therefore, I have her as a Combo Guard. Currently, Schilling has a lot of collegiate interest, as well as a scholarship offer to Western Colorado University (D2). I'm not sure where she is going to end up but right now, she is worried about one thing and that is putting together a memorable Senior season with her Warhawks team. Something that is more than do-able with the position they are currently in and the players their roster possesses.   Des Moines - Valley High School (4-0)   I think that every time I have mentioned this team the past few months, I have boughten up all the questions I have for them regarding this 2023-2024 season. With a roster that holds multiple collegiate basketball players/athletes, it's easy to figure that this roster could be one of the best that this program has had in quite a few years but they need to all have the same goals and they need to all do their own specific jobs for that to be the case. Well, so far, they have proven themselves as a team that could compete for a State Title this season. The Tigers currently sit at 4-0, with 2 meaningful wins under their belt already, including beating a top ranked Dowling Catholic team on the road to start this past week. At this point, I would consider this team one of the best in the state, regardless of Class. If they stay locked in and the coaching staff continues to keep up the production on their end, this is going to be a fun 5A State Playoff come spring time but we will just have to wait and see.

As the start of the high school basketball season has recently gotten underway, we have seen some really good matchups to begin the year and some interesting results because of it. For the most part, the top teams in the state have came in this winter prepared. Their record might not necessarily reflect that at this moment but that's a formality. Most of these highly ranked teams, scheduled very challenging games to start this 2023-2024 season. With that being said, most have held their own in these games and if they haven't, they have bounced back in a big way.