Scouting Reports, Photos: Iowa City Liberty Lightning ’25-26

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Get 30% off your first billing cycle with code:&nbsp;howe30&nbsp;in the coupon code area</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/2025/12/photo-gallery-city-high-little-hawks-liberty-lightning/">Photo Gallery: City High Little Hawks-Liberty Lightning</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>IOWA CITY, Iowa - </strong>Iowa City Liberty began the season ranked fifth among Class 5A teams. An uneven start had dropped the Lightning five spots in the rankings coming into Friday night's home tilt with No. 3 Iowa City High.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Whatever ailed Liberty in losses to Cedar Rapids Washington and Williamsburg through four games wasn't an issue against its rival. The Lightning started fast, withstood a serious Little Hawk run in the second half, and notched an impressive 58-53 victory.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Despite star forward [player_tooltip player_id='837358' first='Natalie' last='Ramsey'] missing most of the second quarter with two fouls, Liberty built a 15-point halftime lead. City responded by outscoring the Lighting by 10 in the third quarter, but the visitors couldn't come all the way back. The home team had a lot to do with that, including a big night by senior [player_tooltip player_id='881144' first='Madilyn' last='Meyer'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a closer look at some of the Lightning that stood out in this one: </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["837358"],"_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-693db14460413"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The state's eighth-ranked senior, according to Prep Girls Hoops Iowa, did what she does when facing rival Iowa City High early in the 2025-26 season. Ramsey scored 25 of her team's 58 points in a win against Class 5A's third-ranked team. The South Dakota commitment also grabbed 10 rebounds and helped draw plenty of fouls against an aggressive Little Hawk defense. With her height, long arms and physicality, Ramsey proved to be a tough matchup in the post during this game. She shows a great feel for achieving a position advantage on the block. When she receives the feed, Ramsey moves quickly to avoid the double team and gets rid of the ball if it gets there. She has a nice shooting touch around the rim and on baseline turnaround jumpers. Ramsey showed off her range by knocking down a long trey as time expired in the second quarter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1201885"],"_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-693db3f0004c0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">It seems like there's been a Casey bombing away from deep for Iowa City Liberty since before Taylor Swift hit it big. Ava is a skilled lead guard capable of running the offense or creating shots for herself. With a good handle, Casey can break down a defense off of the bounce. She makes sound decisions on where to go with the ball when it collapses on her. Moving well off of the ball, Casey understands floor balance and finding openings behind the arc. She's a technically-sound, on-ball defender with lateral quickness. The whole tool box was on display during her team's win against No. 3 City High early in the '25-26 campaign. The junior scored 10 points, shooting 2 of 5 from behind the arc and knocking down both free throw attempts. Casey grabbed a couple of rebounds and handed out an assist.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1440282"],"_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-693db594cc236"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">There's a lot to like about Walker's game. First, she brings great energy and fight to the floor. Walker was fired up and understood the importance of Liberty's rivalry game against No. 3 City High early in the 2005-26 season. She notched a crucial seven points during the victory, knocking down two of four three-point tries. Walker added an assist and played effective defense against the opponent's top scorer when tasked with that assignment. Flashing smooth form on her lefty jumper, Walker can put it on the deck when the defense pushes out on her. With her intensity, she's a fun player to watch, one that has a chance to produce more with greater opportunity. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["880907"],"_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-693db7524662d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Liberty is fortunate to boast a backcourt filled with talented performers. They do well in sharing the minutes, each of them contributing to the cause. It led the Lightning to victory against No. 3 City High during an early-season contest. Schechinger certainly did her part in the victory, as a steady two-way guard not prone to mistakes in a pressurized environment. Even though it wasn't her best shooting night, she found ways to impact the action. She grabbed four rebounds and handed out a couple of assists. Schechinger was at her best on the defensive end, where she came up with three steals. Her effort was instrumental in frustrating the Little Hawks on this night.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["884400"],"_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-693db8cddb414"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Meyer is a good all-around athlete with a chance to be really good in this sport. She flashed that during a contest against rival City High early in the 2025-26 campaign. The only freshman on the court for either team, Meyer did not look the least bit rattled. She played aggressively and confidently, which led to a point, rebound and steal in limited minutes. Every play was important in this contest, and Meyer was a plus for the Lightning. At 5-11 already, the ninth-grader's potential is noteworthy. She's skilled with long arms and a keen feel for the game. Meyer definitely is one to watch moving forward this season and beyond.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->