One Vital Player From Each Class 5A Team – Part 3

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 biggest Class in the state and that is the 5A Class. In this specific piece, we highlight the schools of Marshalltown, Cedar Rapids - Jefferson, Dubuque Senior, Dubuque Hempstead, Iowa City - West, Iowa City - City High, Bettendorf, and Sioux City East.   Thanks for tuning in and enjoy!    The state of Iowa was introduced to [player_tooltip player_id='832207' first='Frankie' last='Long'] last season when she stepped onto the Varsity floor at Marshalltown. For her rendition this time around, Long will look to build on her fast start. At 6'1, you can imagine that this is someone who thrives in the departments of scoring and rebounding around the rim. Within the conference that this team competes in and the opponents that they will face, it's not crazy to imagine that Long could do even better than a year ago. She just needs the support behind her and the rest could be history.     There are actually several factors that are going to impact the season of the CR Jefferson Jayhawks program this Winter but the most important may come in the middle with their Center, [player_tooltip player_id='642075' first='Lillie' last='Spicer']. Spicer has been a force in the painted area's ever since she was young but this season is going to be a big one in her journey. I need to see that Spicer can demonstrate a counter move when need be offensively, while also being a killer on defense. On that side of the ball, Spicer usually finishes contests with nice numbers in the rebounds and blocks department but she could definitely add to that ability moving forward. Not only is Spicer 6'0, she has physical awareness of the situations unfolding around her, and she isn't afraid to mix it up with anyone. Three things that will help her continue to kill it for her Sophomore season.     [player_tooltip player_id='311373' first='August' last='Palmer'] is coming back to IC - City High for one last time as she looks to solidify her high school career. Palmer has been a star ever since she was a Freshman at West Branch. After transferring to City, the question was always if she could compete at that high level and the answer is a resounding yes. Since then, Palmer has committed to reigning D2 Champs - Minnesota State and she is excited to see where that could take her. This is someone that is very determined in her mindset. Anything she puts her mind to, she accomplishes and that can be a very powerful weapon in not only the game of basketball, but the game of life.     [player_tooltip player_id='1055303' first='Janina' last='Williams'] of Dubuque Senior might only be 5'9 but she is the tallest listed player on their roster returning from a year ago. Williams led her Dubuque Senior Ram's team during the 2023 - 2024 in RPG as a Freshman, while only averaging just over 4.5 PPG. Some might not think that Williams will impact the play of the Ram's that much moving forward but I do. She is someone that obviously has heart, a motor, and some skill while on the court. If the team can work around that and the upperclassmen continue to step up, they should do much better than a year ago.     Another passing of the torch situation is happening at Dubuque Hempstead in between last season and current with the graduation of their past star, Camdyn Kay, who is now at NAIA - Clarke out of Dubuque. The next in line to take lead for this group is going to be [player_tooltip player_id='1055304' first='Sydney' last='Feldhacker'] by the looks of it. Feldhacker was only a Freshman last Winter at the SF position but she held her own. Really the team was led by Kay but Feldhacker did her part and made productive steps because of it. This time around, it's going to be her team to lead, as long as she is lock into that challenge.     One of the most eye opening situations that the State of Iowa has had in the off-season is the turnover at Sioux City East High School. Coming into this season, they lose their top 4 producing prospects due to graduation/transfer, so there is going to be a lot of chances for opportunity moving into this Winter. Someone that is returning for her Senior season, that could eat up those chances is SG - [player_tooltip player_id='1055305' first='Kiki' last='Demke']. For all intents and purposes, Demke is someone that put up solid numbers in her attempts last year. On the season, she shot the ball just over 75 times, with over 55 of them being from behind the three point arc, kinda giving you an idea of what she wants to do. This Winter she is going to have to play on the ball more if she wants her team to see success but that's something I'm sure she will be ready to handle.     When looking at the point of this article, you could say that the two main producers for the Bettendorf Bulldogs will be their "vital" player this Winter but I think it's going to be their surrounding cast that matters the most. If team's are smart, they will double, even triple the Bulldogs best prospects and that will make everyone else step up, players like college bound SG - [player_tooltip player_id='842677' first='Alivia' last='Carr']. Carr has an offer or two to compete at the next level following this Winter and whenever she goes, she is going to be solid in her endeavors. This is someone as a prospect that can move well off of the ball, she can screen and flash away for a pull up jumper or she can cut behind the defense for an easy bucket near the rim. It's going to be a really fun season to see what this group can put together these next six months. That's for sure and I can't wait.     [player_tooltip player_id='641977' first='Grace' last='Fincham'] is really a mismatch nightmare when it comes to both sides of the ball. Fincham competes for Iowa City West Trojan at 5'10 and she moves between the inside of the paint, all the way outside to the perimeter past the three point line. Her standing height mixed with her ability to move down the floor is eye opening when you see it in live action. Offensively, she can post smaller defender or step out and screen with action going toward the hoop or the outside. Defensively, she can stay with bigger prospects, even through physical play and she can stick to smaller prospects if need be on a switch. All in all, The Trojans are going to be able to make a run this year with their roster and Fincham will be in the middle of that production.

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 biggest Class in the state and that is the 5A Class. In this specific piece, we highlight the schools of Marshalltown, Cedar Rapids - Jefferson, Dubuque Senior, Dubuque Hempstead, Iowa City - West, Iowa City - City High, Bettendorf, and Sioux City East.