State Playoff Preview: One X-Factor From Each Class

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are five prospect that could be potential X-Factors next week for their program, whoever that may be! They might be an X-Factor not only because of who they are as a player but because of that AND who they might have to matchup against.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Thanks for tuning in and enjoy!</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["832196"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67c102059e3ce"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='832196' first='Graclyn' last='Eastman'] lands into this conversation because of her height, the production she is posting this season, and her future possibilities over this next week. Eastman is the X-Factor for her group because she will have height on most in Round One and that should help her team advance. From there, they would have to face St. Albert as long as they move ahead as well. This is where Eastman becomes extremely important. St. Albert will have their main producer and best player in [player_tooltip player_id='901710' first='Avah' last='Underwood'] going to work on their end. If we get to this point, this battle could come down to who plays better out of the post. For BG, they will need Eastman to play well to keep things rolling. Something that is possible but we will just have to see how it plays out.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["996531"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67c102059e441"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The Rock Valley Rockets are going to have a chance to get to the 2A State Title game if they play their cards right and their usual producers do what they can. The Rockets have put together an impressive season but I think it's going to come to down to how well [player_tooltip player_id='996531' first='Miylie' last='Zomer'] plays. If she handles the middle and holds her own by the hoop with her size, this team is going to be able to go places. This group does have others who are able and skilled producers but the advantage they have is this height from Zomer. This size and coordination advantage in the middle could play a huge factor as to why this team continues to win.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["671465"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67c102059e48e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Every year that I have covered the state of Iowa, Wahlert Catholic has been a State contender or at least in the conversation to get there. A big reason for their success is their senior SF, [player_tooltip player_id='671465' first='Claire' last='Lueken']. Lueken is averaging 21 PPG, 7 RPG, and 4 APG this Winter as her team comes into this one at 19-4. The advantage that WC will have is Lueken in the Post. In their first contest, the opposing team - Spirit Lake, will have their best prospect at the PG position so it'll be intriguing how both of these coaching staffs play it out. No matter what though, I expect Lueken to be a major factor and presence throughout the rest of her high school career next week. Most haven't had answers for her and I don't think that starts now.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["311388"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67c102059e4e1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">After what I saw on Tuesday evening in DeWitt, I wouldn't count out the Sabers to make a run over the next week in Des Moines and if they do that, I'm sure their star [player_tooltip player_id='311388' first='Lauren' last='Walker'] will have a major hand in that. Walker is skilled, patient, and the ideal prospect that any coach would love to work with. She isn't only a skilled individual, she is a hard worker, one of the first on the ground for a loose ball and she is always willing to sacrifice for the others around her. This really shows out as playing the game the correct way and Walker does that. I can't say that enough. If everyone happens to show up with her, the 4A Class better watch out.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["311385"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67c102059e53c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">When you look at the path that PV will take, they have a tough matchup right out of the gate with Ankeny Centennial. I have [player_tooltip player_id='311385' first='Reagan' last='Pagniano'] of PV as being someone that could and should be an X-Factor. Not only will she be a factor being she is their PG with the ball in her possession the most but because she will have one of the toughest defenders in the state on her in Drake commit, [player_tooltip player_id='311377' first='Mya' last='Crawford']. If Reagan can hold her own, control pace her usual, and keep Crawford under control then this game could be a barn burner to start off the week. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->