2024 Playoff Preview – Class 1A: Region 5-8
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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…
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Continue ReadingAs 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 5-8 of the 1A Class.
Thanks for tuning in and enjoy!
Region 5
Region 5 is headlined by St. Albert and Woodbine High School. St. Albert is sitting with a 19-1 record thus far, while Woodbine comes in at 14-6. When taking a look at both of these teams schedules up until this point, St. Albert has the advantage. They have played tougher competition than most other teams in this Region and that is going to help them during this Playoff run. Some other programs to watch out for are Collins-Maxwell, Lenox, and Stanton. All of these groups understand their identities and have put together memorable seasons. If they aren’t taken seriously, it could end up badly for anyone who may cross them.
Teams & Their Impact Players:
- St. Albert (19-1): Ella Klusman (12 PPG), Avah Underwood (11.6 PPG, 7.7 RPG, 2.6 APG), Missy Evezic Missy Evezic 6'4" | C St. Alberts | 2024 State IA (10 PPG, 8 RPG), Lily Krohn (3.5 RPG, 5 APG)
- Lenox (12-9): Sadie Cox Sadie Cox 5'11" | C Lenox | 2025 State IA (18 PPG, 15 RPG, 4 APG), Zoey Reed Zoey Reed 5'9" | CG Lenox | 2025 IA (14 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 3 APG), Izzy Curtis (6 PPG, 5 RPG)
- East Mills (12-9): Jenna Thornburg (9.6 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 2.2 APG), Mia Goodman (8.4 PPG, 7 RPG, 2.5 APG)
- Stanton (15-5): Hannah Olson Hannah Olson 5'10" | PF Stanton | 2025 IA (15.2 PPG, 7 RPG), Lauren Johnson (10.9 PPG, 10.6 RPG, 2 APG), Leah Sandin (14.7 PPG, 2.7 APG)
- West Harrison (7-14): Maclayn Houston Maclayn Houston 5'7" | SG West Harrison | 2024 State IA (20.7 PPG, 10.5 RPG, 1.4 APG), Tylar Stirtz (6.6 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 1.1 APG), Rylee Evans (3.8 RPG, 1 APG)
- Riverside (10-10): Sydney Somers (7.1 PPG, 3.6 RPG), Elly Henderson (6 PPG, 3 APG), Adaline Martens (5.1 PPG, 1.6 APG)
- Boyer Valley (7-14): Sylvia Sulllivan (9.1 PPG, 7.7 RPG), Mariah Falkena (8 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 1.1 APG), Jessica O’Day (10.4 PPG)
- Woodbine (14-6): Charlie Pryor Charlie Pryor 5'5" | SG Woodbine | 2025 State IA (18.2 PPG, 6.1 APG), Danyelle Steinkuehler (7.8 PPG, 5.2 RPG), Nicole Hoefer (12.6 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 1.5 APG)
- Earlham (9-10): Darby Moore (8.3 PPG), Lily Conry (8 PPG, 2.2 APG), Rowen Fisk (4.9 RPG, 1.9 APG)
- Griswold (6-15): Addison Adams (7.8 PPG, 1 APG), Karly Millikan (9 RPG), Amanda Houser (6 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 1.7 APG)
- Collins-Maxwell (16-5): Erica Houge Erica Houge 5'7" | PG Collins-Maxwell | 2024 State IA (20.3 PPG, 10.3 RPG, 4.3 APG), Chloe Wierson Chloe Wierson 5'11" | C Collins-Maxwell | 2024 State IA (15.5 PPG, 10.6 RPG, 2 APG), Vivian Kahler, (3.3 PPG, 3.3 RPG)
- IKM-Manning (4-17): Taylor Beckendorf (6.7 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 1.5 APG), Anna Stangl (13.4 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 1.5 APG),
- Ankeny Christian (14-6): Chloe Roe (11.8 PPG, 6.7 RPG), Riese Gjerde (9.4 PPG, 2.6 APG), Katie Quick Katie Quick 5'7" | CG Ankeny Christian | 2025 IA (8.8 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 3.3 APG)
- Diagonal (2-17): Lauren Burton (10.5 PPG, 6.5 RPG), Halle White (4.8 PPG, 6.8 RPG), Ashlynn Allee (5.9 PPG, 3.8 APG)
Statistics That Matter
When you dive deep into the numbers of each team on Region 5, the pattern you start to see is that the “team play” of each program is what has helped them to this point in their season. There are six teams that have multiple 10+ Point scorers and four teams with prospects that average 10+ Rebounds per contest. If anyone wants to replicate the success of their regular season, they are going to have try and hit these numbers per usual.
Prediction
When we get to the Championship game of this Region, I think there are two teams that have steady paths and that is St. Albert up top and Collins-Maxwell down low. CW may have to play an extra game but I think that they are going to be able to weather the storm that is Woodbine. I’m sure whenever that matchup happens, it’s going to be a fist fight with the winning team having to then take on St. Albert for the Region 5 Ship. This is where I would have St. Albert a slight advantage. The rest of their players could mean everything in a winner-takes-all type contest. If everyone shows up and plays to their best ability, the Saints will be the team that end up walking away as the Region 5 winners.
Region 6
Region 6 features the returning 1A State Championship from last season and they have picked up right where they left off. Bishop Garrigan might of lost their powerhouse players in Audi Crooks and Molly Joyce but they have reloaded and have had everyone else step up when it matters the most. The other featured team in this area is Riceville at 20-1. A group that has also showed their dominance in almost every contest they have played this winter. If you look at all of these team’s rosters on a single list, there are quite a few of players that can change the outcome of a contest with their efforts. Players like Mallory Leerar Mallory Leerar 5'9" | SF West Hancock | 2024 State IA of West Hancock, Katie Costello Katie Costello 5'8" | CG Waterloo Christian | 2024 State IA or Waterloo Christian, and many, many more.
Teams & Their Impact Players:
- Bishop Garrigan (20-2): Graclyn Eastman Graclyn Eastman 6'0" | SF Bishop Garrigan | 2027 State IA (16.3 PPG, 9.5 RPG, Abbie Capesius Abbie Capesius 5'7" | SF Bishop Garrigan | 2024 State IA (11.6 PPG, 10.8 RPG, 3.3 APG), Sacha Alesch Sacha Alesch 5'6" | SG Bishop Garrigan | 2026 State IA (11.3 PPG, 3.3 APG)
- West Hancock (9-12): Mallory Leerar Mallory Leerar 5'9" | SF West Hancock | 2024 State IA (19.1 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 3.6 APG), Meara Kudej (11.1 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 1.7 APG)
- North Iowa (7-14): Miriam Beenken (9.1 PPG, 9.8 RPG, 2.8 APG), Ashlyn Bechler (10.8 PPG, 5.6 RPG), Aisha Jobe (6.8 PPG, 1.8 APG)
- Newman Catholic (14-7): Sami Kruckenberg Sami Kruckenberg 5'7" | SG Newman Catholic | 2026 State IA (16 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 2.1 APG), Liz Kruckenberg (9.4 PPG), Tess Weiner (7.1 PPG), Audrey Jaspersen (5.8 RPG)
- North Butler (7-14): Kaycee Wiebke (11 PPG, 12.4 RPG), Reagan Mulder (4.2 PPG, 2.1 APG), Jady Thorne (4.6 PPG, 2 APG)
- Saint Ansgar (12-9): Amelia Porisch Amelia Porisch 5'10" | SG St Ansgar | 2025 IA (10.8 PPG, 4.7 RPG), Aspen Falk (9.2 PPG, 5 RPG, 2.1 APG), Lindsay Kruse (6.2 RPG)
- Northwood-Kensett (7-14):
Chloe Costello
Chloe
Costello
5'9" | CG
Northwood-Kensett | 2024
State
IA
(19.8 PPG, 5.5 RPG), Morgan Wallin (7.5 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 2.8 APG),
Ella Leonard (5.1 PPG, 1.5 APG)
- Riceville (20-1): Tillotti Fair Tillotti Fair 5'9" | SF Riceville | 2025 State IA (13.8 PPG, 8.6 RPG, 2.8 APG), Samantha Wilberding Samantha Wilberding C Riceville | 2025 IA (9.5 PPG, 6.3 APG), Jaylyn Beran Jaylyn Beran 5'9" | CG Riceville | 2025 IA (13.3 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 4.8 APG)
- Clarksville (9-12): Paige Kampman Paige Kampman 5'6" | PG Clarksville | 2026 IA (20.4 PPG, 3.6 APG), Hannah Wangsness Hannah Wangsness 5'7" | SF Clarkesville | 2027 IA (8 PPG, 12.5 RPG, 3 APG), Katie Kampman (7.2 PPG)
- Janesville (8-12): Liz Hovenga (7.7 PPG, 2.6 APG), Honor Hovenga (8.4 PPG, 1.5 APG), Zoey Barnes (6.7 PPG, 7.5 RPG)
- Waterloo Christian (15-6): Katie Costello Katie Costello 5'8" | CG Waterloo Christian | 2024 State IA (20.9 PPG, 9.8 RPG, 3.2 APG), Reagan Wheeler (13.3 PPG, 9.7 RPG, 3 APG), Natalie Witt Natalie Witt 5'8" | CG Waterloo Christian | 2027 IA (10.2 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 2.3 APG)
- Don Bosco (2-18): Kennedi McGarvey (9.5 PPG, 7.7 RPG), Hannah Thome (7.1 PPG, 2 APG)
- Gladbrook-Reinbeck (13-9): Kennedy Brant Kennedy Brant 6'0" | PF Gladbrook-Reinbeck | 2026 IA (13.3 PPG, 12.4R RPG, 3.5 APG), Elly Sieh Elly Sieh 5'11" | PG Gladbrook-Reinbeck | 2026 IA (12.9 PPG, 4 RPG, 2 APG), Lily Dripps (6 PPG, 6 RPG)
- Nashua-Plainfield (6-15): Kadence Huck Kadence Huck CG Nashua-Plainfield | 2025 IA (15 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 1.4 APG), Paige Franzen (4.8 PPG, 2.3 APG)
Statistics That Matter
Like I mentioned above, all Regions at this point have skilled players but across the board, this Region has several that could stand out and that is going to be the thing that matters the most in the end. Whoever’s most skilled players come to compete, that is going to be the group that really takes things to the next level before the Well. There are 5 different prospects out of Region 7 that are averaging over 15+ PPG with 5+ RPG. At this point, scouting reports are player oriented and can really shock some individuals at this age. If everyone intends to keep up their production at the pace they are on, they will have to lock it in and understand multiple counter moves for given any situation.
Prediction
For all intents and purposes, this is Bishop Garrigan’s Region to lose. They have shown off this season that they have every position covered with multiple players who can step up and step in at any moment. As long as they continue to stick to the same game plan they have had all winter long, they should get through everyone, making it all the way to the Well once again. Simple as that.
Region 7
As we dive into Region 7, we see that there are a lot of teams with winning records in this Region. There are seven teams with a + .500 record or better at this point and they aren’t looking to slow down any time soon. The most dominant team has been Calamus-Wheatland with a 21-1 record, while teams like Highland, Springville, Lynnville-Sully, and Danville all have put together some really nice seasons. Whoever wants to come out of this Region is going to have to show that they are a complete team. The stars will have to shine, role plays will have to contribute consistently, and unlikely hero’s will need to be made. Whoever can check most of those boxes will come out on top.
Teams & Their Impact Players:
- Calamus-Wheatland (21-1): Emily Boeckmann Emily Boeckmann 5'8" | PG Calamus-Wheatland | 2024 IA (13.5 PPG, 4.5 APG), Kahlie Hill Kahlie Hill 6'3" | C Calamus-Wheatland | 2024 State IA (12.9 PPG, 6.6 RPG, 3 APG), Katie Hein Katie Hein 5'4" | PG Calamus-Wheatland | 2026 IA (11.3 PPG, 3.7 APG)
- Easton Valley (9-12): Hadley Farrell (10.3 PPG, 6.6 RPG, 2 APG), Emmah Johnson (9.4 PPG, 10 RPG), Josie Wood (7.2 PPG, 2 APG)
- Wapello (7-15): Tatum Wolford (14.6 PPG, 7.7 RPG, 1.9 APG), Jacie Hoeg (6.6 PPG, 3.5 APG), Mya Wagner (5.4 PPG, 2 APG)
- Highland (14-6): Sarah Burton Sarah Burton 5'10" | SF Highland | 2024 IA (16.2 PPG, 14.3 RPG, 2.6 APG), Stella Slaymaker (5.2 PPG, 6 RPG)
- North Cedar (4-18): Addyson Lehrman Addyson Lehrman 5'9" North Cedar | 2026 IA (8.2 PPG, 5.9 RPG), Addison Shields (7 PPG, 2 APG), Mollie Ries (5 PPG, 2 APG)
- Springville (16-6): Rowan Jacobi Rowan Jacobi 6'2" | PF Springville | 2026 State IA (23 PPG, 12 RPG), Hannah March (10.7 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 3 APG), Addison Merritt Addison Merritt 5'5" Springville | 2027 IA (7 PPG, 6 RPG, 3 APG)
- Prince Of Peace (2-19): Lilly Smith (8 PPG, 1 APG), Madison Schnier (4 PPG, 4.3 RPG), Kiersten Lubs (3 PPG, 5 RPG, .5 APG)
- Lynnville-Sully (18-3): Kate Harthoorn (12.4 PPG, 2.2 APG), Majesta Vos (14 PPG, 11 RPG), Aubree Arthur (6 PPG, 5 RPG)
- Iowa Valley (10-11): Lola Frimml (15.9 PPG, 3 APG), Lydia Kriegel Lydia Kriegel 5'10" | SF Iowa Valley | 2025 State IA (13.9 PPG, 8 RPG) Grace Ryan (5.1 PPG, 7.1 RPG, 2.3 APG)
- Cedar Valley Christian (0-15): Jorja Lillis (4.8 PPG), Libbie Spicka (5.6 RPG), Brianna Jessen (3.5 PPG, 3.1 RPG)
- Lone Tree (18-3): Finley Jacque Finley Jacque PG Lone Tree | 2026 IA (15.9 PPG, 3.1 APG), Alyson Ford Alyson Ford SF Lone Tree | 2026 IA (7.9 PPG), Vivian Zaruba (7.5 PPG, 3.3 APG)
- Winfield-Mt. Union (4-14): Madisen Kellogg Madisen Kellogg 5'9" | SG Winfield-Mt Union | 2026 IA (16.7 PPG, 9.1 RPG), Pacey Schlee (5.6 PPG, 3 APG)
- Danville (16-4): Jaeda Molle (14.5 PPG, 4.5 APG), Rylee Morris (12 PPG, 6.1 RPG, 2.7 APG)
- Burlington-ND (10-10): Lauren Krieger (18.3 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 2.3 APG), Taryn Stephens (8.8 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 5 APG), Anna Engberg (10.4 PPG, 3.5 APG)
Statistics That Matter
Size, size, and more size. The dominating players that you are primarily going to find in Region 7 are all Posts. Each Post prospect listed above has been EATING around the rim at an alarming rate this winter and if they want to continue with that success, everyone is going to have to trust in their hard work. When you have several skilled Posts, everyone seems a little more subpar because they are defending each other a majority of the time. If someone wants to standout, they are really going to have to dive into their “bag”. As you can see, several players have averaged around a double-double over the past few months for their perspective high school teams. Each team’s goal – personal wise, will be to have their Post reach near a double-double in their efforts. If they can get close to this mark, it means they are dominating the glass on both sides of the floor and most likely, winning the contest.
Prediction
The matchup to watch for is going to be Lynnville Sully vs Calamus-Wheatland. I expect both teams to win their first few games, if Lynvvile-Sully can get through Iowa Valley, lining up a matchup between the two giants. Lynnville Sully has beaten all of their opponents this winter because of their even distribution and willingness to adapt. Calamus-Wheatland has won by dominating the paint and showing their aggressive presence early on in each contest. When these two meet, there could be a lot of fire works. Both programs have a Post presence with Guard play to back them up so it’s going to come down to execution. When everything is on the line, who is going to be “that” girl and make it happen. It could be a plethora of players from these groups but I think that the power of Calamus-Wheatland in the paint will be too much in the very end. Giving them a shot at a 1A State Title later this month.
Region 8
Capping off Class 1A is a Region that is really anyone’s to win. There are a few teams that standout because of their record but once you dive deep into their games this winter, you see how they could slip up in a situation or two, prior to the State Tournament. Several of these programs are familiar with each other from recent past or have even met earlier this season, making this all the most interesting. Prior matchups will come into play at some point and whoever adapts the best is going to come out with the title of Region 8 – Class 1A Champions.
Teams & Their Impact Players:
- Montezuma (17-4): Ellen Cook Ellen Cook 5'5" | PG Monetzuma | 2025 IA (13.6 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 3.8 APG), Shiressa Wetering (13.1 PPG, 4.6 RPG), Vivian Cook Vivian Cook 5'4" | SG Montezuma | 2027 IA (9.4 PPG)
- Waco (12-9): Emma Wagler (12.8 PPG, 12.1 RPG), Brenna Graber (9.4 PPG, 2 APG), Ella Huisenga (7.2 PPG, 6.8 RPG),
Halle Shelman (2.7 APG)
- Hillcrest Academy (6-14): Claire Withrow Claire Withrow 5'7" Hillcrest Academy | 2026 IA (14.3 PPG), Malia Yoder (12.5 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 2.6 APG), Niva Helmuth Niva Helmuth 5'8" | C Hillcrest Academy | 2026 IA (4.6 PPG, 8.3 RPG)
- Holy Trinity Catholic (18-2): Mary Kate Bendlage Mary Kate Bendlage 5'10" | CG Holy Trinity | 2024 IA (22 PPG, 9 RPG), Natalie Randolph (13.8 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 2.9 APG), Teagan Snaadt Teagan Snaadt 5'6" | PG Holy Trinity | 2025 IA (8.2 PPG, 4.6 APG)
- New London (1-19): Mylee Miller (10.1 PPG, 7.2 RPG), Sophie Malott (6 PPG, 2 RPG, 1 APG), Morgan Jones (4 PPG, 4 RPG, 2 APG)
- English Valleys (13-8):
Kennedy Axmear
Kennedy
Axmear
5'10" | PF
English Valley | 2024
IA
(15.3 PPG, 8.7 RPG, 1.9 APG), Delaney Hall (11 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 2 APG),
Imigyn Stratton (7 PPG, 4 APG)
- Keota (6-13): Kimberly Clarahan (7.7 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 3.4 APG), Kennedy Jackson (8.2 PPG, 4.7 RPG)
- CAM (19-2): Eva Steffensen Eva Steffensen 5'11" | C CAM | 2024 IA (22 PPG, 10.1 RPG, 4.2 APG), Kiera Nichols (11.5 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 2.7 APG), Meredith Rich Meredith Rich 5'4" | SG CAM | 2024 IA (11 PPG, 3 RPG)
- Orient-Macksburg (10-11): Emma Boswell Emma Boswell 5'11" | SF Orient-Macksburg | 2026 State IA (20 PPG, 20 RPG, 4 APG), Kinsey Eslinger (8 PPG, 7 RPG, 5 APG), Marissa Cass (4 PPG, 3 RPG, 2 APG)
- Murray (5-14): Morgan Keller (13 PPG, 2.4 APG), Keirsten Klein (9.3 PPG, 9.6 RPG)
- Mormon Trail (12-6): Mia Shanks Mia Shanks 5'6" | PG Mormon Trail | 2024 IA (11 PPG, 3 RPG), Annika Shanks (9 PPG, 6 RPG, 4.2 APG)
- East Union (2-17): Kayli Shade Kayli Shade 5'4" | SG East Union | 2026 IA (10.7 PPG, 1 APG), Audrey Young (4 PPG, 5.6 RPG), Hayden Waigand (3.8 PPG, 1 APG)
- Wayne (11-10): Clara O’Brien (12.2 PPG, 2.6 APG), Cortney Knutson (8.2 PPG, 1.7 APG), Ava Whitney (7.5 RPG)
- Southeast Warren (8-13): Jessica Lillig (9 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 1.2 APG), Lexi Clendenen (8 PPG, 5 RPG, 4 APG), Madison Olsasky (7 PPG, 7 RPG)
Statistics That Matter
The reason that most of the teams above have won the contests in which they are participating in is because of how well they start games. Most of the programs have big win margins on their season in most of their contests because of how well they have started things off. It’s always important for groups to figuring things out early in a game but once they do, where do they go from there? Do they press? Do they sit back and relax? What should they do next? All of these teams LOVE to bring the pressure when they smell blood. If you go into the statistics of each program, you’ll see that for the most part, they all have decent point differentials. That’s obviously the key to winning a basketball game but more important, it demonstrates how the group can get out to an early lead and hold it. If any group gets out to a fast start early on, in any contest here, it’s going to crucial because of how hard it will be to make a comeback.
Prediction
Right away the team that stands out to me as having the best chance in this Region is CAM. I’m not exactly sure what it is but as a group, they seem to be more together as a unit. As well as, I haven’t seen as many problems with their group this year and their leadership compared to others. It’s not a slight to anyone else but I’m sure it’s going to be the #1 vs #2 seed to move on here once again. Montezuma is going to have to get rid of a Holy Trinity team with only 2 losses. If they can do that, they will have a shot to come out of this one. In the end, I would have to say CAM is going to be the more rounded team but anything can happen at this point, so I’m not going to count anyone out in a Region that is open for the taking.