State Tournament Preview: Day 1
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Mason Asher
The state tournament is finally here! We have 40 teams vying to hold the trophy but only five teams will head home with it in their possession. We start off the week with the 5A quarterfinals and a few of the 3A quarterfinal games. We will look at each matchup below as well as give a few players to watch and finally give our prediction! View the complete schedule here: Girls State Tournament Schedule
5A Quarterfinal: #2 Iowa City High (22-1) vs. #7 Prairie (20-3) @ 10AM These two teams matched up earlier this season in a game that saw Iowa City High come away with an 85-53 win. I would be shocked to see that big of a spread again as Prairie should come out ready. In a 10 AM tip anything can happen and if Iowa City High lets their guard down Prairie has more than enough ammo to win Players to Watch Mallory McDermott - 2020 - Prairie - Western Illinois commit Sidney McCrea - 2020 - Prairie - Northern Illinois commit Kamryn Grissel - 2022 - Prairie Rose Nkumu - 2020 - Iowa City High - Marquette commit Aubrey Joens - 2020 - Iowa City High - Iowa State commit Paige Rocca - 2020 - Iowa City High - Missouri State commit Kelsey Joens - 2023 - Iowa City High Prediction: Iowa City High 61, Prairie 58
5A Quarterfinal: #3 Johnston (21-2) vs. #6 Southeast Polk (19-4) @ 11:45AM Just under a month ago these two teams met and saw Johnston come out on top 79-70. Anytime these two teams meet there have been a lot of points put up the last three years. This is one game that can go either way once again. Johnston has won two in a row and has taken four of the last five. Players to Watch Grace Larkins - 2021 - Southeast Polk - South Dakota commit Jessica Stuart - 2020 - Southeast Polk Rylie Kruse - 2021 - Southeast Polk Brooklin Dailey - 2023 - Southeast Polk Maya McDermott - 2020 - Johnston - Northern Iowa commit Kendall Nead - 2020 - Johnston - UW-Milwaukee commit Maddie Mock - 2020 - Johnston - Western Illinois commit Anna Gossling - 2022 - Johnston Prediction: Johnston 75, Southeast Polk 72
5A Quarterfinal: #1 Waukee (21-2) vs. #8 Sioux City East (16-7) @ 1:30PM These teams have only met once prior to this meeting and it was a Waukee blowout back in 2015 by 37 points. No player on either of these teams were on those teams so it is safe to say this one will be different. Sioux City East is a bit of a cinderella as they took down Dowling Catholic in the region title game. Waukee has been magnificent this season so far and they are looking to get off on the right note. Both of these teams are very good. Players to Watch Nyamer Diew - 2020 - Sioux City East - Butler commit Kennedy McCloy - 2020 - Sioux City East Katlynn Tucker - 2020 - Sioux City East Katie Dinnebier - 2021 - Waukee - Drake commit Peyton Kelderman - 2021 - Waukee Lindsey Kelderman - 2021 - Waukee Prediction: Waukee 66, Sioux City East 58
5A Quarterfinal: #4 Cedar Falls (19-4) vs. #5 Waterloo West (19-4) @ 3:15PM These two teams have played twice this year and split the season series. Waterloo West won the first matchup in December as Cedar Falls was battling injury troubles. Waterloo West came out with a 60-43 win but in January Cedar Falls got revenge by winning 67-58. Before that win in December, Waterloo West had lost 11 in a row against Cedar Falls. This game should be a good test for both teams. Players to Watch Lauren Conrey - 2020 - Waterloo West - Grand View commit Brooklynn Smith - 2022 - Waterloo West Halli Poock - 2023 - Waterloo West Sahara Williams - 2023 - Waterloo West Emerson Green - 2020 - Cedar Falls - Northern Iowa commit Anaya Barney - 2021 - Cedar Falls - Northern Iowa commit Sydney Remmert - 2022 - Cedar Falls Jasmine Barney - 2023 - Cedar Falls Prediction: Cedar Falls 65, Waterloo West 58
3A Quarterfinal: #1 Dike-New Hartford (22-1) vs. #8 Jesup (20-4) @ 5:00PM Dike-New Hartford has already beaten Jesup twice this season by large margins. They beat them in December 56-33 and again in January 66-40. Jesup has been on a very good run as of late and I won't be surprised to see them really put some pressure on Dike-New Hartford in this one. I think the talent wins out in the end, but I've been wrong before. Players to Watch Payton McHone - 2020 - Jesup - Dubuque commit Brittany Lingenfelter - 2020 - Jesup Amanda Treptow - 2022 - Jesup Ellie Foster - 2020 - Dike-New Hartford - UW-Green Bay commit Katie Knock - 2020 - Dike-New Hartford - Northern State commit Morgan Weber - 2020 - Dike-New Hartford - Wichita State volleyball commit Prediction: Dike-New Hartford 68, Jesup 53
3A Quarterfinal: #4 Red Oak (21-3) vs. #5 North Polk (19-5) @ 6:45PM This might be the best game of the day as both Red Oak and North Polk are so closely matched. It'll be a contrast of styles with Red Oak running with the ball and North Polk looking to slow it down at times. Both teams are great in transition and this game might come down to who has the least amount of turnovers. This will be the first matchup between the two teams. Players to Watch Jaedon Murphy - 2020 - North Polk - Wartburg Maggie Phipps - 2021 - North Polk - Drake commit Lucy Schaffer - 2021 - North Polk Makayla Boatman - 2023 - North Polk Ellie Rengstorf - 2020 - Red Oak - Grand View commit Chloe Johnson - 2020 - Red Oak Sophie Walker - 2020 - Red Oak Lexi Johnson - 2021 - Red Oak Prediction: North Polk 63, Red Oak 62
3A Quarterfinal: #2 Clear Lake (22-2) vs. #7 Assumption (16-7) @ 8:30PM Clear Lake has been great all season long with their ability to pressure the ball and play defense. Their offense is almost run by their defense as they look to create in transition. Clear Lake executes well and that serves them well in this environment. Assumption is a bit of a surprise as everyone thought that Crestwood would come out of that region. Assumption is very good despite their 16-7 record and is one of the tallest teams in the state as they will likely start a 5'5, 5'10, 5'10, 6'1, 6'1 lineup. Players to Watch Natalie Moore - 2020 - Assumption Corey Whitlock - 2020 - Assumption Ava Schubert - 2023 - Assumption Sara Faber - 2020 - Clear Lake Chelsey Holck - 2021 - Clear Lake Darby Dodd - 2021 - Clear Lake Prediction: Clear Lake 67, Assumption 59
5A Quarterfinal: #2 Iowa City High (22-1) vs. #7 Prairie (20-3) @ 10AM These two teams matched up earlier this season in a game that saw Iowa City High come away with an 85-53 win. I would be shocked to see that big of a spread again as Prairie should come out ready. In a 10 AM tip anything can happen and if Iowa City High lets their guard down Prairie has more than enough ammo to win Players to Watch Mallory McDermott - 2020 - Prairie - Western Illinois commit Sidney McCrea - 2020 - Prairie - Northern Illinois commit Kamryn Grissel - 2022 - Prairie Rose Nkumu - 2020 - Iowa City High - Marquette commit Aubrey Joens - 2020 - Iowa City High - Iowa State commit Paige Rocca - 2020 - Iowa City High - Missouri State commit Kelsey Joens - 2023 - Iowa City High Prediction: Iowa City High 61, Prairie 58
5A Quarterfinal: #3 Johnston (21-2) vs. #6 Southeast Polk (19-4) @ 11:45AM Just under a month ago these two teams met and saw Johnston come out on top 79-70. Anytime these two teams meet there have been a lot of points put up the last three years. This is one game that can go either way once again. Johnston has won two in a row and has taken four of the last five. Players to Watch Grace Larkins - 2021 - Southeast Polk - South Dakota commit Jessica Stuart - 2020 - Southeast Polk Rylie Kruse - 2021 - Southeast Polk Brooklin Dailey - 2023 - Southeast Polk Maya McDermott - 2020 - Johnston - Northern Iowa commit Kendall Nead - 2020 - Johnston - UW-Milwaukee commit Maddie Mock - 2020 - Johnston - Western Illinois commit Anna Gossling - 2022 - Johnston Prediction: Johnston 75, Southeast Polk 72
5A Quarterfinal: #1 Waukee (21-2) vs. #8 Sioux City East (16-7) @ 1:30PM These teams have only met once prior to this meeting and it was a Waukee blowout back in 2015 by 37 points. No player on either of these teams were on those teams so it is safe to say this one will be different. Sioux City East is a bit of a cinderella as they took down Dowling Catholic in the region title game. Waukee has been magnificent this season so far and they are looking to get off on the right note. Both of these teams are very good. Players to Watch Nyamer Diew - 2020 - Sioux City East - Butler commit Kennedy McCloy - 2020 - Sioux City East Katlynn Tucker - 2020 - Sioux City East Katie Dinnebier - 2021 - Waukee - Drake commit Peyton Kelderman - 2021 - Waukee Lindsey Kelderman - 2021 - Waukee Prediction: Waukee 66, Sioux City East 58
5A Quarterfinal: #4 Cedar Falls (19-4) vs. #5 Waterloo West (19-4) @ 3:15PM These two teams have played twice this year and split the season series. Waterloo West won the first matchup in December as Cedar Falls was battling injury troubles. Waterloo West came out with a 60-43 win but in January Cedar Falls got revenge by winning 67-58. Before that win in December, Waterloo West had lost 11 in a row against Cedar Falls. This game should be a good test for both teams. Players to Watch Lauren Conrey - 2020 - Waterloo West - Grand View commit Brooklynn Smith - 2022 - Waterloo West Halli Poock - 2023 - Waterloo West Sahara Williams - 2023 - Waterloo West Emerson Green - 2020 - Cedar Falls - Northern Iowa commit Anaya Barney - 2021 - Cedar Falls - Northern Iowa commit Sydney Remmert - 2022 - Cedar Falls Jasmine Barney - 2023 - Cedar Falls Prediction: Cedar Falls 65, Waterloo West 58
3A Quarterfinal: #1 Dike-New Hartford (22-1) vs. #8 Jesup (20-4) @ 5:00PM Dike-New Hartford has already beaten Jesup twice this season by large margins. They beat them in December 56-33 and again in January 66-40. Jesup has been on a very good run as of late and I won't be surprised to see them really put some pressure on Dike-New Hartford in this one. I think the talent wins out in the end, but I've been wrong before. Players to Watch Payton McHone - 2020 - Jesup - Dubuque commit Brittany Lingenfelter - 2020 - Jesup Amanda Treptow - 2022 - Jesup Ellie Foster - 2020 - Dike-New Hartford - UW-Green Bay commit Katie Knock - 2020 - Dike-New Hartford - Northern State commit Morgan Weber - 2020 - Dike-New Hartford - Wichita State volleyball commit Prediction: Dike-New Hartford 68, Jesup 53
3A Quarterfinal: #4 Red Oak (21-3) vs. #5 North Polk (19-5) @ 6:45PM This might be the best game of the day as both Red Oak and North Polk are so closely matched. It'll be a contrast of styles with Red Oak running with the ball and North Polk looking to slow it down at times. Both teams are great in transition and this game might come down to who has the least amount of turnovers. This will be the first matchup between the two teams. Players to Watch Jaedon Murphy - 2020 - North Polk - Wartburg Maggie Phipps - 2021 - North Polk - Drake commit Lucy Schaffer - 2021 - North Polk Makayla Boatman - 2023 - North Polk Ellie Rengstorf - 2020 - Red Oak - Grand View commit Chloe Johnson - 2020 - Red Oak Sophie Walker - 2020 - Red Oak Lexi Johnson - 2021 - Red Oak Prediction: North Polk 63, Red Oak 62
3A Quarterfinal: #2 Clear Lake (22-2) vs. #7 Assumption (16-7) @ 8:30PM Clear Lake has been great all season long with their ability to pressure the ball and play defense. Their offense is almost run by their defense as they look to create in transition. Clear Lake executes well and that serves them well in this environment. Assumption is a bit of a surprise as everyone thought that Crestwood would come out of that region. Assumption is very good despite their 16-7 record and is one of the tallest teams in the state as they will likely start a 5'5, 5'10, 5'10, 6'1, 6'1 lineup. Players to Watch Natalie Moore - 2020 - Assumption Corey Whitlock - 2020 - Assumption Ava Schubert - 2023 - Assumption Sara Faber - 2020 - Clear Lake Chelsey Holck - 2021 - Clear Lake Darby Dodd - 2021 - Clear Lake Prediction: Clear Lake 67, Assumption 59
