One Vital Player From Each Class 4A Team – Part 5

Over the next several weeks, prior to the high school season kicking off, we are going to highlight a prospect on each team throughout the state of Iowa, that is vital to the success of their Varsity program over the next six months. To start things off, we are going to lock in with the second biggest Class in the state and that is the 4A Class. In this specific piece, we highlight the schools of Perry, Cedar Rapids - Xavier, Ballard, Sergeant Bluff Luton, Mount Pleasant, Bishop Heelan, and Sioux Center.   Thanks for tuning in and enjoy!    [player_tooltip player_id='1060519' first='Karagyn' last='Whelchel'] works hard, is one of the first on the ground on either side of the ball, she has a high motor that never stops running, and most importantly - she producers some solid positive numbers at the end of the day. This season will be an important one to Whelchel if she wants to be recruited to compete at the next level. She shows intangibles every time she competes and she has some skill, those two things can equal to success in one way or another out on the hardwood.     As crazy as it sounds, [player_tooltip player_id='1044961' first='Samantha' last='Dorrity'] is going to be a major factor for her team's success this Winter and moving into the near future. Dorrity has been performing at a high rate to start the season for the Saints and I'm hoping that she can build on that. She has displayed a fundamental play-style in the paint with a nice step through or countermove offensively. On defense, she is just long enough to impact a lot of shots near the paint whenever she is coming over from help-side. Xavier will have their main producers back once again from last season, therefore Dorrity is going to have to work to see the floor but I have faith that she will become a fan favorite for this Varsity program rather quickly over the next few months.     [player_tooltip player_id='1044933' first='Claire' last='Storhoff'] is the heart and soul of Decorah High School. Storhoff has been "that" player ever since she was a young age and she is ready to continue to demonstrate that for anyone who may be watching. We are talking about a prospect with an efficient handle, smart decision making, a crafty play making ability, soft touch on the ball, and a solid motor. During her Freshman season she showed out as the player to know from this program and that should continue on this Winter as well.     Ballard High School has been a school to know the past couple of years because of their intelligent guard play and strong post play but this upcoming season they are going to have to rely on their guards to get the job done. Someone that comes to mind right away in this job is their PG - [player_tooltip player_id='311386' first='Raegan' last='Loewe']. Loewe is a college committed prospect and someone that understands what it means to lead a team by example with the ball in her possession. Like I said, up until this point there has been other prospects around her who have produced over the years in major ways but now it's going to be Loewe's chance to play the main producer role so we will just have to wait an see how it works out.     By the looks of it, [player_tooltip player_id='863122' first='Bre' last='VanDenTop'] is going to be a collegiate Volleyball player when the end of her high school career comes to a close but it's important to note that she is also a talented Basketball player as well. VanDenTop is someone that could play at the next level on the hardwood, if that was what she wanted to do. This is someone that stand at 5'10, she has a great base to shoot off of from deep, at times she takes giant strides to get to where she wants to near the bucket for a finish, and she is willing to pass if someone else becomes extremely open on the opposite side. VanDenTop is just finishing up a very successful Volleyball season and I'm sure she is ready to hit the ground running for her Warriors program.     <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/abby-carthey/">[player_tooltip player_id='1060524' first='Abby' last='Carthey']</a> of Mount Pleasant High School competes out of the guard position but she rebounds like a Forward. Which is not a bad thing. To be a good rebounder, a lot of it comes down to Will and Heart. Cathey has shown for years that she is willing to jump in the middle for a rebound, no matter who might be in the way. Mount Pleasant could put together a better season than years past but Carthey will have to play some of the best basketball of her life. If she can do that, they are going to love how their season concludes.     Bishop Heelan will return multiple college level prospects this Winter to the Varsity floor and it's going to be excited to see what they can put together as the season unfolds. One of their most vital prospects, that is going to be a major factor in their success is Center - [player_tooltip player_id='873159' first='Abby' last='Lee']. We have mentioned Lee a handful of times this past six months because she has been receiving a lot of interest from the collegiate level, ever since her State performances earlier in 2024. That State stage was one in which Lee showed out to everyone that was watching and she is going to build on that for one more go around during her Senior season. If she plays well in the middle, everything else is going to open up for the Crusaders and that's when they will become a very tough team to beat.     When [player_tooltip player_id='777226' first='Maryn' last='Franken'] stepped on the Varsity floor last year as a Freshman, she showed out in multiple statistical categories. She ended up finishing the season as her team's second PPG leader, as well as the RPG leader. Pretty impressive when you consider this team got to the State Tournament, putting together a total record of 17-7 to end their year. Franken is a Forward with a balanced shooting ability, she moves extremely well for her size at 6'0, she possesses a better than average motor, and she isn't afraid to post up someone smaller for a look in the paint when those opportunities present themselves. Sioux Center is going to have multiple players they look to this Winter to clutch up a game. If everyone is prepared for the moment, I'm sure that they will be one of those programs we see in Des Moines at the end of the season for back-to-back years.

Over the next several weeks, prior to the high school season kicking off, we are going to highlight a prospect on each team throughout the state of Iowa, that is vital to the success of their Varsity program over the next six months. To start things off, we are going to lock in with the second biggest Class in the state and that is the 4A Class. In this specific piece, we highlight the schools of Perry, Cedar Rapids - Xavier, Ballard, Sergeant Bluff Luton, Mount Pleasant, Bishop Heelan, and Sioux Center.