Some Programs Close To Perfection

To be undefeated at this point in the high school season is an accomplishment. It shows the dominance of the game on almost every level when you break down the numbers and really look into the analytic side of things. Below we are going to highlight some of the programs with perfect records or near perfect records, that are ranked within the Top Five of their own Class moving into the last few weeks of the season.   Thanks for tuning in and enjoy!   5A   Johnston Dragons (15-0): 64.3 PPG, 39.7 PPGA, Average Margin Of Victory - 24.3 PPG   The Johnston Dragons pulled off the undefeated season last Winter, along with claiming another 5A State Title in the very end in Des Moines. This season has been much of the same dominance but with a few difference faces leading the charge. You still have ESPNW ranked [player_tooltip player_id='557354' first='Jenica' last='Lewis'] and [player_tooltip player_id='311351' first='Amani' last='Jenkins'] to give that upperclassman leadership but this season has also been just as important for the underclassman that they have stepping up on a consistent basis. Prospects like Ari and [player_tooltip player_id='644558' first='Daya' last='Phillips'], [player_tooltip player_id='880913' first='Kelli' last='Kalb'], and [player_tooltip player_id='766304' first='Paige' last='Andernacht']. These individuals have done a great job of stepping up in big moments and helping out their program when it matters the most. Not to mention, they have an underrated playmaker in Jaliyah Kinnetz. The Dragons have had their tests this Winter but so far, they have weathered the storm in every situation. As long as their killers come to compete during Playoff time and the underclassman keep playing with their current level of confidence, then we are looking at a squad that will have a solid chance to run things back once again for back2back 5A State Titles.   4A   North Polk (16-1): 63.9 PPG, 40.2 PPGA, Average Margin Of Victory - 23.7 PPG   The North Polk Comets only possess 1 loss this Winter and that was to a Top 10 5A opponent. The Comets are a program with experience from top to bottom, along with better than average prospects to help them back that up. They are currently being led in PPG by Sophomore, Campbell Schulz but she isn't their only weapon. They also have a D1 committed PG in [player_tooltip player_id='311383' first='Abby' last='Tuttle'], a D2 committed shooter in Greta Dillinger, along with other future collegiate players within their underclassman group. They also have size in the middle with [player_tooltip player_id='311356' first='Rebecca' last='Aagard'] at Center standing around 6'2. When you combined all of these things together, you start to picture why this team is a favorite to make it to the 4A State Title game in a couple of weeks. If everyone takes care of their responsibilities, the Championship will be within reach for the Vomets before you know it.   Norwalk (17-1): 65.2 PPG, 36.6 PPGA, Average Margin Of Victory - 28.6 PPG   Gotta give respect where respect is due and Norwalk deserves respect for beating the opponent that has been put in front of them this Winter. The biggest Con that Norwalk has is that their SOS isn't the hardest. It's pretty straight forward. At the beginning of the season, we predicted that the Warriors would lose 1, maybe 2 games going into the month of February and that's where we are at. If they go out and continue to handle business per usual, I'd say they are going to be a shoe-in for a State Tournament bid. They have individuals from every college division level on their roster and they understand what each-other do best. They care about the small things and that adds up to big things in the end as they say. It'll be interesting to see their draw once the State Tournament comes out, assuming they get there. That's when it becomes survival of the fittest and we find out who is really about it.   Maquoketa (16-1): 58.3 PPG, 31.1 PPGA, Average Margin Of Victory - 22.1 PPG   The Maquoketa Cardinals have been a promising team for a few seasons now and it's finally all coming together as they sit at 16-1. The Cardinals have a lengthy and hard working core, that helps carry the group in most ways. That core is the mainly made up of three individuals. [player_tooltip player_id='435773' first='Cora' last='Widel'], [player_tooltip player_id='534428' first='Aubrey' last='Kroymann'], and [player_tooltip player_id='782510' first='Maelyn' last='Kluever']. Those three combined for 36 of their team's 58 PPG, while also averaging noteworthy numbers in the rebounding and defending categories every night. Though this might be the group's main source of production, they do possess a few others that hold their own. One that I am specifically talking about is Junior, Hadley Ihrig. Ihrig yields positive results in the rebounding and assisting sections of the game, wherever she has the opportunity. All in all, the Cardinals are an exciting team to evaluate. They have a lot of upside, high level prospects at a few different positions, and their only loss so far this season was to a ranked 5A program by 1 point. If they get a favorable road once seeding comes out, they could have a great shot at making the State Tournament, once that time comes.   3A   Mount Vernon (15-1): 65.6 PPG, 39.6 PPGA, Average Margin Of Victory - 25.9 PPG   Mount Vernon is the clear favorite to bring home the 3A title this season. They have bigger size down low than most with 6'3 Louisville Volleyball Commit, [player_tooltip player_id='1005091' first='Chloe' last='Meester']. They have a rising star at PG in [player_tooltip player_id='957840' first='Savanna' last='Wright']. They have a D1 committed shooter in [player_tooltip player_id='311380' first='Sydney' last='Huber']. They have two future collegiate guards in the Franck Twins around the outside and they have good coaching to follow suit. When you add all of that together at the 3A level, you get a power house of a team. I think they would even give most teams in 4A a run for their money this year, if they were to be up a Class level. The Mustangs only loss on the season was to 5A CR - Prairie, a program that should be a State Contender in their own Class. It seems like they have learned for that loss. They learned to adapt a little quicker and that could help them in a meaningful contest, later this season.   Forest City (17-1): 62.7 PPG, 35.6 PPGA, Average Margin Of Victory - 27.2 PPG   One of the best records that the state of Iowa has to offer comes to us from Forest City High School at 17-1. Not only is Forest City holding their own, they are putting on a clinic so far this season against anyone that has to matchup with them. When you break down the numbers, you notice that Forest City is putting up a good amount of points, while holding the opponent to few little comparatively. This has been a major key to their success this season and will continue to be a major key moving into the Playoffs. This along with some of their main producers showing up on a consistent basis and we could see this program make a run before you know it. I'm not sure if we can really call it a, "run", as they only have one loss so far but no matter. Their discipline has lead them to this point and it will continue to lead them these next few weeks.   2A   <a href="https://www.gobound.com/ia/schools/eddyvilleblakesburgfremont">Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont </a>(16-0): 62.4 PPG, 31.2 PPGA, Average Margin Of Victory - 31.2 PPG   The 2A Class is going to be a fight to the bitter end for a few different programs as things heat up moving into the month of February. The, "top dawg", or big team that everyone is going to need to watch out for is The EBF Rockets. The Rockets are a program that is backed by tall, athletic, and smart athletes, as well as knowledgable coaching and a bunch of support from their community. They run some great action on both sides of the floor and they really focus on getting touches for their stars on a consistent basis. The three headed monster that I'm talking about with these touches is [player_tooltip player_id='873148' first='Molly' last='Shafer'], Ava Eastlick, and [player_tooltip player_id='1207352' first='Kaylee' last='Helm']. Three seniors that are doing all they can to help lead their program. They also have individuals like [player_tooltip player_id='817706' first='Kate' last='Shafer'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1207356' first='Chloe' last='Lyon'] to chip in, in their own ways. 2A might be one of the most competitive Classes we see at State this Winter and I can't wait to see how everything plays out when the lights are at their brightest.   Hinton (15-0): 66.6 PPG, 33.1 PPGA, Average Margin Of Victory - 33.5   Whenever you lose your star prospect prior to the season starting off, it's never a good thing. Usually things from that point on aren't great but in Hinton's case, things are the exact opposite and that is because of the transfer of [player_tooltip player_id='524262' first='Sydney' last='Doeschot'] in the offseason. This is 100% a team sport but Hinton's motor is a big reason for their success and Doeschot is the fuel to their motor. At the PG position, this is someone that can control the game and single handedly win it for her program on any given night. Like we have mentioned for other programs in this writeup. The real test for this group will come during their Playoff run these next few weeks, when they will have to matchup with others opponents who know what they are doing out there.   1A   North Linn (16-1): 65.2 PPG, 34.1 PPGA, Average Margin Of Victory - 31.1 PPG   Being in this position is familiar territory for the North Linn Lynx. The Lynx are always a program in the State conversation for the 1A Class. They usually have a perfect or near perfect record up until this point and they are looking in prime shape to give it their all once the Playoffs begins. This season is a little different in the aspects that they haven't been the clear #1 favorite to host the 1A trophy but they are still at the top of the pack with a current record of 16-1. Out of all of the teams that are in this article with pristine records, the Lynx have one of the highest average margin of victories, showing just how dominant they truly have been so far this Winter. When looking at the overall competition pool that the Lynx could face moving forward, I can't say that I hate their chances. There is a lot to like. Some are counting this group out but I wouldn't. If you don't scout them properly, it's going to be a rude awakening.   Mount Ayr (17-1): 61.9 PPG, 34.3 PPGA, Average Margin Of Victory - 27.6 PPG   Mount Ayr might not have the hardest SOS that we have seen at this point in the Winter but they are winning all of their games convincingly and that's nice to see. The Raiders are led by three main prospects in [player_tooltip player_id='1055375' first='Breya' last='Nickle'], [player_tooltip player_id='832208' first='Izzy' last='Gilbertson'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1055379' first='Dannie' last='Stewart']. These three aren't the only prospects making waves for the Raiders but they are the top producers in most statistical categories that you can thing of. The real test for this team will be come Playoff time in their sub-district. This program has a great margin of victory when it comes to the PPG but they also have had a few close calls within 5-7 points. In those events, they came out victorious but they were definitely a wake up call to everyone moving forward.   St. Albert (15-1): 61 PPG, 37.2 PPGA, Average Margin Of Victory - 23.8 PPG   The St. Albert Saints recently took their first loss of the season in a narrow one point defeat last week. Other than that, this group has looked like a well oiled machine all Winter long. They have fast guards at the PG and SG positions, that help them run their offense at an efficient rate. Individuals like [player_tooltip player_id='1100896' first='[player_tooltip player_id='896222' first='Maura' last='']' last='Ryan'], [player_tooltip player_id='751962' first='Eleanor' last='Coughlin'], and [player_tooltip player_id='883739' first='Payton' last='Johnsen']. They have lengthy CG and SF prospects like [player_tooltip player_id='901710' first='Avah' last='Underwood'] and [player_tooltip player_id='889547' first='Molly' last='Wise']. Along with other contributors like [player_tooltip player_id='1190087' first='Lexie' last='Darrington'], Ellie Monahan, [player_tooltip player_id='1215774' first='Eva' last='Jones'], and [player_tooltip player_id='751960' first='Lexie' last='Pearce']. As you can tell, this is a group with a lot of depth for the 1A level. They have a team that has several different producers across the board and that's always the hardest thing to stop from an opponents perspective. It can be good to lose moving into the Playoffs. It can help the team mentally reset and more-so, lock in moving forward. The Saints are going to be a favorite in a lot of eyes as we step into the Post Season. If they take every opponent seriously, they should have a good chance to make a big run before you know it.

To be undefeated at this point in the high school season is an accomplishment. It shows the dominance of the game on almost every level when you break down the numbers and really look into the analytic side of things. Below we are going to highlight some of the programs with perfect records or near perfect records, that are ranked within the Top Five of their own Class moving into the last few weeks of the season.