1/30/25: Previewing The Evening

Thursday evening brings in a new set of games across the state of Iowa at the Varsity level. Below we highlight five players that will be competing tonight. These players have been consistent for their Varsity programs this Winter and I don't expect that to slow down this evening.   Thanks for tuning in and enjoy!    One of the best PG that the state of Iowa has to offer right now is [player_tooltip player_id='777233' first='Romey' last='Croatt'] of Waukee NW. The progression of Croatt over the past two seasons has been impressive. She is the type that if she stays on this pace, she should have several suitors from the collegiate levels during AAU season with her ability to take control of a ball game. Not only can Croatt hold her own in the scoring department, she can create opportunities for others. One of the most important factors from being a D2 PG to being a D1 prospect, is the fact of, can you make the others around you better with how you play? I think when we look back, the answer to this question for RC will be a resounding yes! Tonight the Wolves host Millard South from NE. Knowing both of these programs, I have a feeling the Wolves will handle business on their home court but we will just have to wait to see.     [player_tooltip player_id='1170922' first='Natalie' last='Hamlett'] of Starmont High School is a guard that has been putting together consistent contest this Winter. Hamlett is listed as a 5'5 guard, that is currently leading her program in PPG, while also being high up on their list in RPG as well. Sometimes there are years where programs have one consistent prospect, that is going to be in charge of leading the pack and in this case, that's Hamlett. There are a handful of other contributor in the Stars program but right now, they need Hamlett to play really well if they want to stay competitive within their contests. That's not necessarily a bad thing. When it comes to Playoffs in a few weeks though, others will need to continue to step up if they want to make a run and shock their regional. As for right now, Starmont will host Anamosa on Thursday evening in one of their final contests of the regular season. Hopefully, it'll be a good one.     Gladbrook-Reinbeck sits with a better than average record of 15-2 walking into Thursday evening and they are looking to keep that rolling as they host Janesville tonight. The GR Rebels have been handling their business each contest and a big reason for that is the play of [player_tooltip player_id='796969' first='Elly' last='Sieh'] and [player_tooltip player_id='782509' first='Kennedy' last='Brant']. When it comes to Brant, she is the team leader at the PF position, while she averages a double-double with 17.5 PPG - 12.5 RPG. The best ability that Brant possesses in my book is her versatility with her size. At 6'0, she moves well for her height and that gives her the chance to move around the court. Depending on the situation, she can post up someone smaller than her next to the basket or she can step out and screen the three point line, where she can then either roll to the hoop, pop to the mid-range, or catch from the outside for a take into the lane from the three point line. Defensively, her mixture of length and athletic build help her control near the hoop at a thorough rate. All in all, I think we see Brant and GR in the State Tournament. If thye continue to play how they have been, they are going to be tough to stop once they get on a roll.     When you evaluate the guard play for North Fayette Valley High School, someone that stands out to you is Senior - [player_tooltip player_id='788574' first='Kaelyn' last='Elsbernd']. Elsbernd is a PG that can assistant and distribute at a higher rate than most at her position. She can also go and score the ball herself when things happen to break down around her in real time. Throughout her team's first 17 contests this Winter, Elsbernd is putting up 17.5 PPG to help lead her program. She is also dishing out 4.5 APG to lead her team in that category as well. When you look at smaller schools and their assist leaders, you usually don't get many with a positive assists-to-turnover ratio but that's what we have here with Elsbernd. She has a positive ratio of +2.1 in that aspect. Which is a respectable number. Tonight the Tigerhawks will host the Chickasaws of New Hampton. A game that they should be able to handle with authority if they play their cards correctly.     I think this is the first prospect from the Iowa School For the Deaf that I have covered over my time at PGH but I'm sure it won't be the last. The propspect that I'm referring to at this time is their Forward - [player_tooltip player_id='1170933' first='Rifenta' last='Kisichy']. Kisichy has played in 8 games so far this Winter and she is averaging 5.5 PPG on 26% shooting, including being 50% from three. She also is bringing in 6 RPG, showing off her ability on the glass on both offenses and defense. The Bobcats might not play a ton of games throughout their season but they work hard as a group and leave it all on the floor. From an outsider perspective, that's something that everyone loves to see. It's Basketball played the right way.

Thursday evening brings in a new set of games across the state of Iowa at the Varsity level. Below we highlight five players that will be competing tonight. These players have been consistent for their Varsity programs this Winter and I don't expect that to slow down this evening.