2024 Playoff Preview – Class 1A: Region 1-2

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <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. Post-Season Play. We begin a journey to see who is the best of the best throughout the state in each perspective Class. Below we will start our coverage by highlighting Regions 1 &amp; 2 of the 1A Class. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Thanks for tuning in and enjoy!</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Region 1</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Region 1 kicks us off and it is jam-packed with talented teams from all across the state. It is headlined by [player_tooltip player_id='246105' first='Kamryn' last='Kurt'] and her North Linn team but also includes some schools that have had some really successful winters. Schools such as Edgewood-Coleman, East Buchanan, Dunkerton, and many more listed below. All of these teams have a star or two on their roster, that are able to change the game in the blink of an eye. I drop my prediction of what I THINK is going to happen below but don't let that fool you, there is going to be some fireworks throughout this Region, so make sure you are paying close attention. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Teams &amp; Their Impact Players: </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>North Linn (19-1): [player_tooltip player_id='246105' first='Kamryn' last='Kurt'] (18.6 PPG, 5.7 APG), [player_tooltip player_id='314107' first='Macy' last='Boge'] (16.6 PPG, 3.7 APG), [player_tooltip player_id='311393' first='Molly' last='Boge'] (13.1 PPG, 3.7 APG), [player_tooltip player_id='1093389' first='Allie' last='Haughenbury'] (5.4 RPG)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Marquette Catholic (10-12): [player_tooltip player_id='592180' first='Megan' last='Kremer'] (14.3 PPG, 15.8 RPG, 1.1 APG), [player_tooltip player_id='842576' first='Gwen' last='Schroeder'] (12.8 PPG, 10 RPG), Skylar Sieverding (10.6 PPG, 3 APG)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Clayton Ridge (9-12): Amya Millard (9.2 PPG, 8.9 RPG), Alyssa Wille (7.9 PPG, 1.9 APG), [player_tooltip player_id='842635' first='Lola' last='Reimer'] (7.3 RPG), Katy Geuder (6.1 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 1.1 APG)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Dunkerton (16-5): [player_tooltip player_id='832216' first='Kylee' last='Pexa'] (15.7 PPG, 4.5 APG), [player_tooltip player_id='595155' first='Hailey' last='Kipp'] (9.3 PPG, 6.1 RPG), Peyton Smith (6.7 RPG), [player_tooltip player_id='789125' first='Ava' last='Fuelling'] (9.2 PPG, 2.0 APG)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>West Central (2-19): Faith Steinbronn (5.5 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 1.3 APG), Brooklyn Rose (2.8 PPG, 2.8 RPG), Kassidy Bantz (5.5 PPG, 1.5 APG)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Midland (14-8): Anna Bartels (19.6 PPG, 6.2 RPG) Emmaleigh Soper (9.4 PPG, 1.8 APG), AJ Soper (8.1 PPG, 6 RPG, 2 APG)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Central City (6-14): [player_tooltip player_id='314133' first='Bailee' last='Weber'] (19.8 PPG, 1.8 APG), [player_tooltip player_id='833976' first='Elizabeth' last='Wade'] (9 PPG, 2.8 APG), Savannah Koch (6.3 PPG, 5 RPG), [player_tooltip player_id='833962' first='Avery' last='Besler'] (4.2 RPG, 3.1 APG)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Edgewood-Colesburg (17-4): [player_tooltip player_id='582840' first='Audrie' last='Helmrichs'] (15.8 PPG, 12.2 RPG, 2.6 APG), [player_tooltip player_id='1143266' first='Ellie' last='Kirby'] (8.9 PPG, 5.4 RPG), Campbell Kirby (3.5 APG)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>East Buchanan (14-7): [player_tooltip player_id='342195' first='Laynee' last='Hogan'] (16.2 PPG, 5 RPG), Eden Brady (13.2 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 3 APG), [player_tooltip player_id='502235' first='Kreighton' last='Peck'] (8.9 PPG) Jaeden Hellenthal (5.8 RPG, 2 APG)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Turkey Valley (7-14): Annika Bodensteiner (7.3 PPG, 5.6 RPG), Mariah Throndson (7.2 PPG, 2 APG), Addison Steinlage (6.4 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 2.1 APG)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Kee (16-5): [player_tooltip player_id='782495' first='Addison' last='Winters'] (16.9 PPG, 10.5 RPG, 3.2 APG), [player_tooltip player_id='832204' first='Rylee' last='Mudderman'] (15.9 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 2.8 APG), [player_tooltip player_id='1055335' first='Lillian' last='Kolsrud'] (8.5 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 2.7 APG)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Starmont (0-22): Tyra Boge (5.3 PPG, 1 APG), Ellen Ottesen (4.4 PPG, 9.4 RPG), [player_tooltip player_id='1170922' first='Natalie' last='Hamlett'] (3.8 PPG, 6 RPG, 1 APG)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Central Elkader (14-6): Ashlyn Scherf (15.5 PPG, 6 RPG, 2.4 APG), Grace Kuehl (7.4 PPG, 5 RPG, 2.3 APG)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Tripoli (3-17): Shyann Quigley (10 PPG, 7 RPG), Reagan Schwarze (5.4 PPG, 1.1 APG), Maddie Harken (6.4 RPG, 1.1 APG)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Statistics That Matter</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When you break down the numbers of each individual team in this Region, you start to see a pattern unfolding. You start to notice that there are a lot of solid teams here, that know how to score the basketball. Out of the 14 teams listed above, more then half of them averaged more than 50 PPG this season in their efforts. As you can tell, these groups can score in big waves. Whoever is going to come out on top, is going to have to play fast and efficient. They are going to have to score at an elite rate and defend like their lives depend on it. Whoever does that, is going to be the group with the best chance to sneak out of Region 1 successfully. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Prediction </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This prediction to start things off isn't going to be a crazy take or wild suggestion by any stretch of the imagination. I like North Linn to come out of Region 1. I do think it will be a battle between the #1 and #2 seed in this situation, as to who will move on to Des Moines. In a regional championship contest, that will be played on a neutral court, anything can happen but if I had to make a prediction right this moment, give me the Lynx to move onto State. Their star power is just too much to match across the board. They have a veteran group that has been here before and I'm sure that is going to play a big factor in the end, when the lights get bright.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Region 2</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Diving into Region 2 and there is a clear standout in this group. The Newell-Fonda Mustangs have been here before and I'm sure they understand what they need to do to make this Region, theirs. It's not going to be a walk in the park as they will have to face some of the hardest competition of their season up until this point if they want to get to the Well. Their experience will play a factor when it matters the most but who knows exactly.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Teams &amp; Their Impact Players: </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Newell Fonda (19-1): [player_tooltip player_id='246160' first='Kierra' last='Jungers'] (16.5 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 2 APG), [player_tooltip player_id='873160' first='Kinzee' last='Hinders'] (14.9 PPG, 5 RPG, 1.9 APG), [player_tooltip player_id='314161' first='McKenna' last='Sievers'] (11.3 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 9.7 APG) </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Glidden-Ralston (5-16): Tiela Janssen (14.1 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 2.2 APG), Kassidy Wenck (8 PPG, 7 RPG, 3.4 APG), Allison Snyder (6.8 PPG, 5 RPG)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>St. Edmonds (4-17): [player_tooltip player_id='988396' first='Chloe' last='Palmer'] (8.7 PPG, 5 RPG, 2 APG), Josie Harvey (7.1 PPG, 4.1 RPG), [player_tooltip player_id='996547' first='Anna' last='Lursen'] (6.1 PPG, 8.5 RPG, 1.8 APG)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>BCLUW (13-8): [player_tooltip player_id='839346' first='Grace' last='Farnsworth'] (11 PPG, 9 RPG), Sydney Anderson (9 PPG, 2 APG), Klayre Gallentine (8.7 PPG, 6.1 RPG, 2.5 APG)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Colo-Nesco (4-17): Gemma Bower (7.6 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 1.6 APG), Annabelle Nessa (4.7 PPG, 1 APG), Sydney Ingle (4.4 PPG, 5.6 RPG)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>AGWSR (11-9): [player_tooltip player_id='674217' first='Josie' last='Kuper'] (15.4 PPG, 11 RPG), Trevyn Smith (10 PPG, 7.7 RPG, 2.3 APG), Karis Lippert (6.3 PPG, 3 APG)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Baxter (3-15): [player_tooltip player_id='842614' first='Emie' last='Tuhn'] (15.9 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 3.8 APG), Denver Sulzle (7.1 PPG), Kendall Brummel (4.1 PPG, 5.1 RPG 1.9 APG)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Coon Rapids-Bayard (17-3): [player_tooltip player_id='595152' first='Malia' last='Clayburg'] (13.6 PPG, 6.1 RPG, 2.4 APG), [player_tooltip player_id='595149' first='Breeley' last='Clayburg'] (12.6 PPG, 7.7 RPG), [player_tooltip player_id='598489' first='Anna' last='Hart'] (8.2 PPG, 4.3 APG)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Paton-Churdan (0-20): Alivya Smith (9 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 1.4 APG), Kaliyah Minnihan (5.1 PPG, 5.4 RPG), Grace Culllum (2.6 PPG, 3.7 APG, 1 APG)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>GMG (10-11): Jocee Mason (12.8 PPG, 8.3 RPG), Reese Dieleman (10.1 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 2.6 APG)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Belle Plaine (3-17): Janessa Blomme (8.8 PPG, 8.9 RPG, 1), Ella Grieder (7.1 PPG, 1.8 APG), Layne McLeod (5.1 PPG)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Meskwaki Settlement (10-8): Dorothy Bear (11.3 PPG, 7.3 RPG), Sia Bear (10 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 4.5 APG)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>North Tama (9-10): Ava Breakenridge (12.9 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 2.1 APG), Rylee Ridout (6.4 PPG, 9.4 RPG), Izzy Hallett (6.1 PPG, 2.4 APG)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>HLV (9-9): [player_tooltip player_id='1214981' first='Ayla' last='Hall'] (12.3 PPG, 3.3 APG), Mckenzie Kempf (8.1 PPG, 8.9 RPG), Ema Roberts (7.3 RPG, 1.3 APG)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>BGM (5-15): Laila Morrison (12.3 PPG, 8.3 RPG), Shaye Strong (6 PPG, 1.2 APG), Ryanne VanDee (4.7 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 1.4 APG)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Statistics That Matter</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As I evaluation Region 2, the theme seems to be that the star players for each perspective squad, are the real "X factors" to their team. I'm aware that might not sound like the brightest statement that I've made but you have to realize just because someone is a star player, doesn't mean that they are their team's "X factor." You expect a star to show up each and every night but that is not always what helps a team win games in the end. What helps a team win games are those players, that bring everyone together to buy into one goal, making everyone else around them better. In this case, the star's of each team do a good job of that. If any team is going to want to win a close game, they are going to need their role players to step up to help out with the workload. Whoever can do that, has a chance. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Prediction</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When it comes to Region 2, things get a little more interesting. I do think that the #1 seed, Newell Fonda, is going to be a heavy favorite in every matchup they play until they get to State. I imagine that the contests are going to be a little bit closer then North Linn's will be from Region 1 but in the end, I like the Mustangs to stampede out of this Region. They are another team with veteran talent, smart coaching, and some skilled personal. If they focus on going 1-0 each contest, they will win a few more games before this season comes to a close. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->