Film Room: Closer Look at Fabulous Freshman Class

Get 30% off your first billing cycle with code: howe30 in the coupon code area   Iowa's freshman class this winter was fabulous. It confirmed what we already new - girls basketball is alive and well within the borders.   Here's a closer look at talented members that made a name for themselves as ninth-graders in 2025-26:    Peterson is ranked highly by the knowledgable folks at PGH for a reason. The Pleasant Valley freshman has game. We can witness that when watching her <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/28989368/Paetyn-Peterson/highlights" id="https://www.hudl.com/profile/28989368/Paetyn-Peterson/highlights">clips on Hudl</a>. As a shooter, there's not much wasted movement. She receives the ball behind the arc shot-ready, quickly catching and releasing. The form is clean and the rotation pure. Height and long arms allow for shooting over most on-ball defenders. They also aid her in effectively defending whether she's going straight up or getting her hands on the passing lanes. Peterson does well when trapping or double-teaming. She's athletic, runs the floor well and flashes a tight handle. What makes Peterson's basketball skills more impressive is that they've been developed while also playing a high level of volleyball and softball. She ranked second on the Spartans in scoring (11.6 PPG) and rebounding (4.7 RPG).     Wilson authored a memorable freshman season at Southeast Polk, where she should be a key player for the Rams during the next three seasons. In 2025-26, she averaged 6.1 points and 1.7 rebounds per game in starting 13 of the team's 23 games. We can witness how Wilson finds success on the hardwood when watching her <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/26945811/gracie-Wilson/highlights" id="https://www.hudl.com/profile/26945811/gracie-Wilson/highlights">ninth-grade highlights on Hudl</a>. The first strength that stands out is the shooting range. She looks just as comfortable and accurate from well behind the arc as when she's right behind it. The transition from the shooting pocket to the release is repeatable and technically sound. At 5-11 with long arms, Wilson achieves plenty of clearance for squeezing off shots. Agility and athleticism is present, helping her defend and run the floor. The upside is sizable here, making Wilson one whose development should be monitored moving forward.     Moore ranked fourth in scoring and rebounding for the J-Hawks as a freshman in 2025-26. The performance earned her honorable mention all-conference in the Central Iowa Metro League. The 5-foot-11 wing was kind enough to post <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/24929397/maci-moore/highlights" id="https://www.hudl.com/profile/24929397/maci-moore/highlights">individual games highlights on Hudl</a>. They reveal an active hooper making plays all around the court. That's often the case on defense, where she picks pockets and disrupts passing lanes. Moore's athleticism and quickness pair nicely with height and long arms. Capable of scoring on all three levels, she flashes fine form from three-point territory. Moore changes speeds smoothly off of the bounce, allowing her to pull up in the mid-range, release a floater or get all the way to the rim. The Urbandale ninth-grade laid down a strong foundation for the future, making her one to watch.     Valley returned to the state tournament in Class 5A this winter with a nice mix of veterans and newcomers. A key member of the latter group, Uthoff contributed 5.0 points, 1.5 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 1.3 steals per game. The broad base of skills necessary to produce numbers across the board are present when we pop on Uthoff's <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/21295377/69a768090442c7f69bf00c40" id="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/21295377/69a768090442c7f69bf00c40">ninth-grade highlight video</a>. She's ready to deliver when given an opening behind the arc, getting from reception to shot fast and with consistently good form. If the defense presses up on her, Uthoff can put the ball on the deck and lift up in the mid-range. Explosive off the bounce with both hands, she can accelerate to the rim and finish. Lateral quickness and activity lead to solid on-ball defense that disrupts opposing actions. Expect Uthoff to keep ascending against strong club competition with Phenom.     McGraw began her freshman year with a bang as the starting setter on an Indianola volleyball team that upset favored Waukee in the regional finals and reached the state tournament. She followed up that performance during her first prep basketball campaign, when she started 14 of 23 games, averaging 10.0 points, 3.7 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.3 steals. There's a nice mix of ninth-grade highlights for both sports on <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/27573306/Julia-McGraw/highlights" id="https://www.hudl.com/profile/27573306/Julia-McGraw/highlights">McGraw's Hudl page</a>. On the hardwood, she marries overall athleticism with sound basketball skills, allowing her to impact the action in a variety of ways. McGraw can pressure the basketball on defense, with long arms and lateral quickness. She often outruns the competition in the full-court. There's excellent range on the jump shot, which she releases quickly with proper technique. McGraw can burn defenses off the bounce when they push out to far on her.

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