Checking In On Key Freshman Around Iowa

Each of the freshman listed below are individuals that have had a lasting impact this season for their first year at the Varsity level. If they keep up their efforts and continue to produce at this same rate moving forward, they will be prospects that we will talk about for years to come.   Thanks for tuning in and enjoy!    [player_tooltip player_id='913222' first='Julia' last='Van Keuren'] of Waukee High School has been a starter for a majority of the season throughout her freshman year and she is putting in a good effort to be an impact on both sides of the ball. Van Keuren does stand at 6'0, she moves well for that height and she is continuing to learn the game throughout her career at a steady rate. If you look at the stats and break down the numbers throughout their first 18 games, Van Keuren is getting good minutes each outing. Over time, progression will be the key to everything for prospects at this age. This season most of her offensive attempts have been from three point land so it'll be interesting to see what she becomes during AAU season with her [program_tooltip program_id='714272' first='Iowa' last='Battlers'] program this Spring. Either way, I'm sure this is someone that we will mention more as time goes on.     Coming into the high school season, [player_tooltip player_id='880913' first='Kelli' last='Kalb'] was in the conversation for being a Top 5 prospect out of her 2028 Class and she has only made that argument stronger as time has gone on. Kalb is a 5'10 SG with length, skill, and a high motor. Her length matching along with her size helps her dominate most of her 1v1 matchups in the open court and it also helps her hold up against some good opponents on the defensive side of the ball as well. Within the Johnston system, it's all about trusting the process. If you play right away on Varsity, it means you can hang and compete with some of the best that the state of Iowa has to offer. That's what we have here. In the grand scheme of their system, Kalb has proven that she belongs already. That is for sure.     A school that we haven't touched on too much over the years is Colfax-Mingo High School but that is slowly changing with the type of players that they are bringing on board within their program. Specifically within their underclassman group. The current leader in PPG for the Tigerhawks is SG, [player_tooltip player_id='910324' first='Isabelle' last='Foglesong']. Foglesong is currently averaging just over 10 PPG on 36% shooting and 1.9 APG each evening. These numbers might not jump off the page but they do help the cause. We have to remember, this is just the start. There is a lot of learning going on across the board here within this group but Foglesong has begun off her high school career with a solid start and that is respectable from an outside point-of-view.     [player_tooltip player_id='1091292' first='Kamryn' last='Fink'] took the state by storm early on in the Winter with her scoring outbursts and incredible numbers to kick things off. Since then, Fink is still putting on a display with her Huskies program as she is averaging 15.5 PPG, 15.2 RPG, along with just over 3 APG to help lead her team to an overall 14-6 record, 10-5 within conference. For being a freshman on the varsity floor, these are some solid numbers, that no one can really debate. Highland might not play the toughest schedule but you still have to show up each game and that's what Fink has done all season long.     CR - Kennedy High School is still figuring some things out as we approach the Playoffs but they are a program that you shouldn't sleep on. They do have several able and skilled prospects, at a few difference positions on their roster. One out of the 2028 Class, that has been a constant all season long has been SG/PG, [player_tooltip player_id='920716' first='Bentley' last='Dill']. Dill is one of those that can move between the 1 and the 2 spot. She has the passing ability and vision to play the 1 but she is also a lights out shooter that works well off of the ball. So it comes down to what the coaches are asking of her at that time. As for this season so far, her best games have been the ones that she has caught on fire from deep and that could be some foreshadowing. This Spring Dill will compete again with her Powerhouse AIA team out of Des Moines. If she gets in-front of the right eyes, she might end up with an offer or two before we get back into her Sophomore season with the Cougars.     [player_tooltip player_id='886125' first='Hadley' last='Riehle'] of Crestwood is currently competing at the JV level, leading her team in PPG each night. For the Cadets, they do not have any 2028's on their Varsity team, showing their depth with their upperclassman group. Following this Winter, Riehle is going to be someone that is asked to step up to that top level to help the Cadets in anyway possible. While we are talking about Riehle, we are talking about a guard with experience, a smart head on her shoulders, smooth ability, and some other intangibles. She loves to be the first on the floor for loose balls or getting back to help a teammate stop a fast break. Her motor, her communication, and how she plays the game overall is what brings my attention to someone like this. College coaches love the intangibles and Riehle continues to demonstrate those. If she can stay consistent in her efforts to get better during AAU season with her Air Minnesota program, then it's only up from here.

Each of the freshman listed below are individuals that have had a lasting impact this season for their first year at the Varsity level. If they keep up their efforts and continue to produce at this same rate moving forward, they will be prospects that we will talk about for years to come.