First Round Showdowns: My Impact Players

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>High school hoops are officially HERE in Iowa! Across the state, teams hit the hardwood this week with one collective goal — to don the pink shirts at the 2027 State Tournament. Though State is months away, the 2026-27 season will tip off before we know it, with some teams suiting up as early as tomorrow for scrimmages and jamborees. As we prepare for Week 1, I wanted to take a closer look at a few big games that I believe will kick this season off with a bang. Continue reading to see what matchups are catching my eye, and which athletes have that "it" factor to push their team to a W.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Waukee vs. Bettendorf — November 20</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["880901"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6af60f614e6ad"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">On a youthful team with high potential, point guard [player_tooltip player_id='880901' first='Abbajay' last='Peters'] was a solid contributor for Waukee last season. She is capable of a little bit of everything on the floor including draining deep threes, showing aggression off the dribble, and being an impact player on defense. Peters has great timing while contesting at the rim, so don't let her size fool you. If she's guarding you she's going to make your life difficult. Peters was second in scoring last season and will now be looked upon to make big plays as an upperclassman this season — if Waukee wants to come out with a win against Bett, I'll be placing bets on Peters to be a top producer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1575763"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6af60f614e6f4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">With star senior <a href="https://uhcougars.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/alyvia-mccorkle/10086">Alyvia McCorkle</a> graduating and taking her talents to the University of Houston, I'm interested to see who will take the reins at Bettendorf High School. Coming off a 13-5 season in 2025-26, I've got my eye on senior [player_tooltip player_id='1575763' first='Haley' last='Engels'] to help pick up where McCorkle left off. She averaged 5.5 points, 3 assists, 3 boards and 2 steals per game last season — her playmaking ability will be huge for the Bulldogs this year, as well as her willingness to initiate contact at the rim and finish through fouls. Engels' quick hands and aggression in passing lanes, as well as her unselfishness and ability to dish the rock, will be a big factor if the Bulldogs want to come away with a big win vs. Waukee at home. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Waukon vs. East Buchanan - November 20</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2000946"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6af60f614e719"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2000946' first='Blythe' last='Bucknell'] was a workhorse for Waukon last season and I'm excited to see her impact as a senior. The Northern Iowa commit (track and field) averaged 10 points and 7.5 boards last season on a team that finished in the middle of the pack in their conference. Upon graduating two of their starters from last year, I would get the rock to Bucknell as much as I can and let her get work in the paint vs. East Buchanan. Bucknell has great timing around the rim for offensive rebounds, seals at a high level, and reads defenders really well. If you try to front her on defense, she's going to push you up the land and punish you every time. Another double-double could be on the horizon to kick off the season for Blythe.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["881974"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6af60f614e743"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='881974' first='Emma' last='Zabel'] brings defense, scoring at all levels, and leadership to a young East Buchanan squad. The 6'1" power forward / center led the Buccaneers in points (12.1), rebounds (6.8), steals (2.4) and blocks (3.6!) last year and will be leaned on to carry the load once again this season. There is a lot to like about Zabel's game. She finishes well on the move from the perimeter, loves to face up in the mid-post, has a soft touch in the midrange, and has flashy footwork in the paint. The Luther hoops commit has also expanded her range — she looks solid from the perimeter and has shown a consistent jumper throughout her AAU season last summer. Keep your eyes on Zabel to be a game changer to kick off the season vs. Waukon.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Gilbert vs. Bishop Garrigan — November 21</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["833953"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6af60f614e770"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Point guard [player_tooltip player_id='833953' first='Callie' last='Hales'] is the engine that makes Gilbert go. Finishing off her junior year with impressive numbers across the board, Hales has the ability to impact the game in so many ways. She's got great size as a PG and uses it to her advantage by attacking the glass, contesting shots, and creating opportunities for her teammates. She led her squad in scoring (15.6), assists (4), steals (2.8), and blocks (1.4) in 2025-26. One of the key aspects to Hales' game is her change of direction and pace. She doesn't let defenders speed her up, creates attacking lanes with slick handles, and is constantly looking up the floor for kick ahead passes in transition. I think big things are coming for Callie and I'm really looking forward to following along during her senior season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- 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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6af60f614e797"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There's no doubt Bishop Garrigan is aiming to go one step further in the State Tournament this season, and they will be looking at senior [player_tooltip player_id='832196' first='Graclyn' last='Eastman'] to help them get there. Eastman is a handful in the paint. From slashing to the rim, to fadeaways in the midrange, to backing defenders down with a mean drop step, Eastman was a force last season and turned some heads during her AAU stint this summer. She is super efficient at the rim and scored over 56% of her field goal attempts last season. Her work rate doesn't stop there — she's a beast on the boards, averaging 10 per game last year, including 3.7 on the offensive end, as well as over 3 blocks per game. To put it simply, if you need something done in the paint, [player_tooltip player_id='832196' first='Graclyn' last='Eastman'] is the name to call. In the Golden Bears' big matchup against Gilbert you'd expect lots of touches for Eastman to kick their season off on the right note.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->