A Feel For The The 2025-2026 High School Season (4A-5A)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Coming into the 2025-2026 High School season there is going to be a lot of change-over compared to years past. Several coaches have retired or moved onto different opportunities, 5-star ESPN rated recruits have transferred back to their home-town programs, and A LOT of great prospects ended up graduating to compete at the collegiate level. With that being said, we are in for quite the season. In this piece I'm going to briefly touch on some programs to know the dynamic of moving into this Fall. There is still several months before we kick off the season but it's always nice to see an early preview of what might be to come. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">5A</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The Big Dawg - Johnston</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Shocker, right? The team that has won back2back 5A State Titles, along with completing two undefeated seasons in a row has to be knocked off before I will call anyone else the favorite in this Class. We said the same thing last year when everyone was picking DC to win it all before the season. The Champ is the champ until they lose. That's the reality. When it comes the Dragons this year. Guard play. Guard play. Guard play. That is what is going to carry them to a lot of success. It won't be so easy this time around as against teams with true posts they will have a disadvantage inside but their guards are so good, it might not even matter. [player_tooltip player_id='880913' first='Kelli' last='Kalb'], Jaliyah Kinnetz, Phillip twins, and [player_tooltip player_id='557354' first='Jenica' last='Lewis']. Those five are going to be tough to stop. That's for sure. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The Top Contender - Waukee NW</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This might be the favorite this season in this 5A Class. When you take account for their resume last year, who they bring back, who they get coming in at the 2029 level, and you start to understand the depth of this team. Their starting five are very good, this season they will come back more experienced and with revenge on their mind for their State Tourney appearance a year ago. [player_tooltip player_id='777233' first='Romey' last='Croatt'] is a D1 level PG. They have size in the middle with [player_tooltip player_id='686893' first='Cassidy' last='Danburg']. They have ELITE guard play on the outsides with McCan and company. All while being fundamentally sound in the strategy aspects of the game. I'm excited to see this team's first matchup this Winter with the Dragons. It could be on for the ages. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The Sleeper - Prairie </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prairie returns 4/5 starters from last season with some bench experience as well. That, paired along with Coach Dall's systems could make this team lethal throughout the Winter once again. This is a group that made the State Tournament last season and they got stuck with Johnston in Round One. It was a tough pull but don't be shocked if that's different this Winter. I could see this group coming in at the 3-5 spot at State, which would leave them in a respectable position to fight for a 5A Title. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">4A </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The Big Dawg - Norwalk </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Norwalk is coming off of a 23-2 campaign a season ago. They might lose their top dawg due to graduation but her little sister is just as good, if not better and the talent around her is also pretty impressive. The Warriors will post a good regular season record with who they play but when Playoffs come, that's when the real test is brought to the table. They answered the bell last season all the way up until the State Tournament and I expect much of the same this time around. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The Top Contender - Bishop Heelan </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The numbers between BH and Norwalk were interchangeable last season. In almost every category that you can possibly think of. They scored the same, defended just as well, won against the same # of teams over .500, won against the same # of teams under .500, won against the same # of team at home, won against the same # of teams on the road, one team's total opponent's records were 201-191, another was 185-150, etc. You get the idea. So if BH comes up, takes on Norwalk and walks away with the W, I wouldn't be shocked in the slightest.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The Sleeper - Clinton</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I whole heartedly believe that the transfer of [player_tooltip player_id='643486' first='Jhaliana' last='Guy'] to Clinton is going to lead them to the 4A State Tournament in Des Moines this upcoming season. Clinton returns a solid core that put up respectable numbers last season, going right around .500 on the year. They return most, if not all and they add Jhaliana and one other recruit. Those two are going to be vital in Clinton's success and I think they will get the job done. They will bring a fast play, quick style of offense to the floor and so if they can get out in transition, it's going to be a long night for opposing programs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->