2024 State Tournament: Live Notes - Day 1

I didn't have a chance to get out to Nebraska to see the State Tournament these past few days because the State Tournament for Iowa is still going on but that didn't stop me from tuning in and watching every game that I could online. In the article below, I highlight a handful of prospects that stood out to me during their contest on Day 1. Each evaluation was done live and in real time during the players First Round State appearance.   Thanks for tuning in and enjoy!   [player_tooltip player_id='747374' first='Izzie' last='Galligan'] - 2025 - 5'9 - SG - Millard North High School   "In the small glimpses that I saw of Galligan, she was everything I would imagine. She has respectable size, a crisp handle, above average vision, a next level ability to pass, and a flame-thrower from deep. In this game, Lincoln North Star really dampened the fire that is the Millard North offense with their mixture of zone and man pressure. Don't forget that the Mustangs are young. They are going to be right back in this same spot next year with almost their entire roster returning so the loss is nothing to dwell on. Especially when most of these players on roster are competing on national travel circuits this upcoming Spring for AAU ball just around the corner."   [player_tooltip player_id='276504' first='Inia' last='Jones'] - 2024 - 5'6 - PG - Omaha Central High School   "Hats off to a real hooper. [player_tooltip player_id='276504' first='Inia' last='Jones'] did it all over her high school career and all I can say is, much respect to Jones. She may of been the player on her team to take the highest volume of shots throughout her contests but that's because of her pure ability. She is one of the best driving PG's in the state, if not THEE best driving PG. She consistently demonstrates a shifty handle, smooth demeanor, and positive attitude. She is going to be a killer at Bradley. She may of lost today but she is winning in life."   [player_tooltip player_id='316646' first='Cassie' last='Allen'] - 2025 - 5'4 - G - Crofton High School   "Allen didn't necessarily jump off the page to me offensively in her team's comeback win but she is definitely someone to know for the rest of this tournament and moving forward. With Crofton's strategy as a team, Allen plays a big role in that as a Guard. She moves well without the ball, understands her role and the roles of the others around her, and she makes the most of the chances she gets on the offensive end. I think that she is due to have a big game, one of these next two. As long as she stays locked in and positive, I don't see why not. She has the ability, she makes simple choices, and she plays with composure, which are all a recipe for success."   Kendall Anderson - 2026 - 5'10 - SG - Lincoln North Star High School   "K Anderson hit some BIG shots in her Gators team win on Wednesday afternoon. Her teammates were setting her up and she was knocking them down from 5-7 feet behind the arc. There were specifically 2 three pointers that she made in the second half of this game that made all the difference. All in all, she didn't hurt her team when she was on the floor defensively and she made shots when it mattered the most. That's a player you want on your team."   [player_tooltip player_id='305778' first='Avril' last='Smith'] - 2026 - 6'0 - F - Millard North High School   "Smith makes herself known in several different ways. She has natural size, a huge reach advantage on most, and good knowledge of the game. Her size is an advantage but at times, she over dribbles or tries to do a little to much. I guess that's what happens when she catches at the three point line every time though so you can't fault her from trying to create. Originally I predicted that she would have a high ceiling and I still find that to be true. You can tell she has raw talent, if it's channeled the right way in the offseason, she could come back next year as one of the best players in the state, regardless of age."   [player_tooltip player_id='316643' first='Jill' last='Johnson'] - 2025 - 5'10 - F - Bishop Neumann High School   "[player_tooltip player_id='316643' first='Jill' last='Johnson'] moves well down the floor and hustles on both sides of the ball at a high rate. If you watched this Bishop Neumann group compete for five minutes today, you understand that you have to be able to hustle on defense if you want to stay on the floor and Johnson does a great job of that. Not to mention that she also has some skill to pair along with everything. She has the ability to create for herself or others off of the dribble and she never gives up on a play. She see's the floor a majority of the game and I can understand why from her performance today."   [player_tooltip player_id='770426' first='Tatum' last='Backemeyer'] - 5'5 - CG - Elmwood Murdock High School   "Might not be the tallest player on the floor but one of the hardest workers. Relentless in her pursuit of the basketball, especially on defense. Someone that rebounds at a high rate and plays the bottom of their 1-3-1 zone, hinting at her athleticism. Not sure if you would consider her a SF or a CG at her size. She rebounds like a Forward but in reality, could play either position if the situation presented itself."   [player_tooltip player_id='756006' first='Ani' last='Leu'] - 2026 - 6'0 - PG/SG - Lincoln North Star High School   "[player_tooltip player_id='756006' first='Ani' last='Leu']'s mixture of length and skill is impressive. She stands at 6'0 and she can shoot it from deep or take it off the dribble, all the way to the bucket. In this game, she has been the player of opportunity that her team needs. She is catching the ball on rotation from behind the three point line and hitting big shots from behind the arc. The North Star Gators beat the North Mustangs at the end of this one and Leu had a big hand in that. If she doesn't make some shots at critical parts of this game then things could have swung the other way in a hurry. Big upside here and everyone that knows her game, is well aware of that."   [player_tooltip player_id='276507' first='Kennadi' last='Williams'] - 2024 - 5'6 - PG - Lincoln Southwest   "The unquestionable leader of her team and best passer I've seen this week covering State basketball. Her vision, foresight where to lead her teammates with the ball, and knowledge of when to let the pass go is next level. She is the type of player that all other players look to get the ball to on the floor when it matters the most. There were a handful of others who stepped up in their Round One win but none of it happens without the ball of Williams."

I didn't have a chance to get out to Nebraska to see the State Tournament these past few days because the State Tournament for Iowa is still going on but that didn't stop me from tuning in and watching every game that I could online. In the article below, I highlight a handful of prospects that stood out to me during their contest on Day 1. Each evaluation was done live and in real time during the players First Round State appearance.