Post Season X-Factors

I feel like I blinked and postseason hit me — this season has been a whirlwind and I'm super excited to see how the upcoming matchups this week play out. As 2024-2025 rears to a close, a number of players have risen to the occasion, and as the saying goes, have peaked at the right time. Check out the ballers who have risen their game and are my X-Factors throughout regional play.    [player_tooltip player_id='502101' first='Madden' last='Wilson'] brings a lot to the table for Cedar Rapids Xavier and is capable of being the extra spark the Saints need to return to the State Tournament this season. Wilson is playing her best basketball right now and has really impressed me with her numbers leading up to postseason play. Throughout her last ten games Madden is shooting the three ball at a 42% clip, and follows up her offensive production across the board in other categories — including averaging 7 boards, 3.5 assists, and 2.6 steals per game. Wilson is definitely one to watch during regionals and does the little things to be the impact player for Xavier.     On a balanced, talent-loaded Mount Vernon squad, I like [player_tooltip player_id='782508' first='Courtney' last='Franck'] as their X-Factor to help push them to the State Tournament (the first step is getting past a pesky Solon squad on Wednesday). Though the junior point guard is not the top scorer on the team, she does everything well on the floor and flat out knows how to help her team win. Franck is averaging 7.6 points, 6.3 rebounds, 5.4 assists and 3.2 steals per game — an impressive, well-rounded output for the floor general this season. In addition Franck is shooting 38% from deep. Combined with an excellent assist to turnover ratio, the 'Stangs can turn to Franck to be productive and impactful throughout their regional run.     Hadenfeldt is another player on a talent-laden roster that has what it takes to be a difference-maker for her team. Some of Hadenfeldt's best attributes are her high IQ, her attitude, and her efficiency. In addition to her 10.8 points per game, Brynlie is a gritty kid who isn't afraid to hit the floor for loose balls or battle in the paint for rebounds. She finishes at a high rate (43% from the floor), is almost automatic at the free throw line (89%), and gets the job done with rebounds and assists (6.5 and 2.7 respectively). If the Prairie Hawks want to make it to the Promised Land this season, I can hang my hat on Hadenfeldt helping them get there.     The Mediapolis Bulldogs have been led to their 21-1 record predominantly by the three-headed monster of [player_tooltip player_id='1160666' first='Josie' last='Hutcheson'], Ellah Wagenbach, and Amelia Grier. While the attention will most likely lie there opponents' scouting reports, I would look to junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1307812' first='Bryn' last='Wright'] to pick up the slack and be Mediapolis' X-Factor through postseason play. She is averaging 9.1 points, 3.8 boards, a head-turning 7 assists, and 4 steals per game this season — numbers that show Wright is more than capable of stepping up and contributing across the board. Wright is also capable of putting up big numbers too, boasting a 15 point game just last week.     Iowa City Regina has a solid shot at a State Tournament berth this season and I think senior [player_tooltip player_id='1142718' first='Caitlin' last='Martin'] can help them get there. Martin is shooting the ball well this year (44% FG, 37% 3PT) and rebounds well at the guard spot (5.9 RPG). Martin is also also very secure with the ball, averaging only 1.3 turnovers per game while dishing out 2.4 assists — reliability you can turn to during crunch time. While a lot of attention will be going to Martin's counterparts in [player_tooltip player_id='311391' first='Morgan' last='Miller'] and [player_tooltip player_id='880903' first='Addie' last='McLaughlin'], I think Martin has the playmaking ability to step up when her number is called and get the job done for the Regals.

I feel like I blinked and postseason hit me — this season has been a whirlwind and I'm super excited to see how the upcoming matchups this week play out. As 2024-2025 rears to a close, a number of players have risen to the occasion, and as the saying goes, have peaked at the right time. Check out the ballers who have risen their game and are my X-Factors throughout regional play.