High School Preseason Top 10: Class 4A Power Rankings

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We are about 2.5 months out until high school basketball action kicks off in the state of Iowa. With that being said throughout the next two weeks I will be publishing a lot of content pertaining to Preseason Preview's. I will be highlighting the top teams from each class, while also shouting out some of the other programs that could make a big run this winter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In this article specially I will be dropping our Preseason Top 10 Power Rankings for the 4A class here in Iowa. Below a specific teams perspective ranking I will name some of the factors taken into consideration that helped us place these teams, where they are.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>(Something specifically about this 4A class that I would like to mention is: This class is so close across the board, <strong>ANYONE</strong> could win it in the end. There are favorites and such but all in all, one moment in a single contest this season could change the outcome for everyone looking forward. The only thing I can say with certainty is, buckle up cause it's going to be a wild ride!)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Thanks for tuning in and enjoy!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#10: Pella High School </strong>(17-6)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Returning 2/5 starting; accounting for 14.9 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 6.8 APG.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Will need to make up for losing 625 varsity shot attempts from a year ago, solely speaking about their starting lineup.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>This team is very interesting to me as I think that they are going to have the mixture of depth, experience, and skill to take this program somewhere special. They're returning two starters that are well experienced and known throughout the state, while also having a good amount of players with past varsity experience, who could step into starting roles this winter effortlessly.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Biggest "X" - Factor: Their players ability to be efficient. A number that really pops out to me in all this is how many assists the two starters returning, give their teammates. It shows their willingness to pass and their teammates ability to finish off of that assist. This season the players on the floor will have experience, if they can make the right choices and finish at the rim, that's going to take them places. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#9:</strong> <strong>Mason City High School </strong>(14-7)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Returning 5/5 starters; accounting for 45.9 PPG, 18.8 RPG, 9 APG</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>This team brings back every starter from a year ago, while also having some of their bench returning as well. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>When you look at the big picture of last season for Mason City, you see a pattern. Against alike opponents or worse teams, they absolutely dominated. When they played teams with an elite player or two, they really struggled throughout those contests.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Biggest "X" - Factor: Will this group come together and build on what they started last season. This is a team that I think could make some waves in 4A throughout the season. They need to learn from their past mistakes and figure out a way to keep it simple for everyone on the floor. If they do that, they clearly have enough people to have a great year. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#8:</strong> <strong>Carlisle High School </strong>(16-8)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Returning 2/5 starters; accounting for 19 PPG, 8.3 RPG, 6.3 APG.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Will need to make up for losing 500 varsity shot attempts from a year ago, solely speaking about their starting lineup.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='502236' first='Macy' last='Comito'] has every possibility to be a top PG throughout the state this season but will she? After receiving a handful of D1 offers this past few months, Comito is primed for a memorable high school season. She just needs to go out there and do it now. This will be a HUGE part to this teams season as a whole. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Biggest "X" - Factor: Can the young talent on this team step up in the biggest of ways? The young core of who they bring back, mixed with who they have coming up in the 2027 class is going to be eye-opening to some. If they end up figuring out things early in the year with their new coach, they could possibly be a team we see in the Top 5 of this class, before playoff time begins this season.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#7</strong>: <strong>Xavier High School</strong> (16-8)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Retuning 1/5 starters; accounting for 16 PPG, 6.9 RPG, 3 APG.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Will need to make up for losing 600 varsity shot attempts from a year ago, solely speaking about their starting lineup. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>The loss of [player_tooltip player_id='311380' first='Sydney' last='Huber'] to transfer and [player_tooltip player_id='502237' first='Madden' last='Wilson'] to injury hurts this years starting lineup SIGNIFICANTLY. Two players who could score and take some of the pressure off of [player_tooltip player_id='311363' first='Libby' last='Fandel'] throughout the course of a game. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Biggest "X" - Factor: How much of the workload can Fandel handle until [player_tooltip player_id='502237' first='Madden' last='Wilson'] returns. This team loses every starter except Fandel from a year ago. Some to injury, some to graduation, some to transfer. They will need to put together a new game plan this season compared to ones they have had in the past. They will not have as many bodies to throw at opposing teams throughout a game so they will have to plan accordingly, with Fandel in front of the pack. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong> #6: Decorah High School </strong>(21-3)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Returning 1/5 starters; accounting for 19,6 PPG, 2.4 RPG, 2 APG.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Will need to make up for losing 625 varsity shot attempts from a year ago, solely speaking about their starting lineup.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>A major advantage that Decorah has is their schedule. A fundamental team in a great program but some of the teams that they face up until playoff time hurts them more than anything because it's not competitive. I'm sure this group will have another great record coming into the end of the regular season but it's the tough matchups that interest me. How will they play against elite teams with major playmakers.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Biggest "X" - Factor: The play and leadership of [player_tooltip player_id='314100' first='Yazmeen' last='Whitsitt']. Whitsitt is a shifty and elite guard at the high school level throughout Iowa, even last year at the state tournament no one could stay in front of her crossover. Can she lead this team with her senior leadership and help them be successful in the process. Whitsitt is an elite guard but she is going to have to play out of her mind this year to make the state tournament. Something do-able? Most certainly with someone who has her skill-set and level of talent. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#5: Ballard High School </strong>(19-4)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Returning 2/5 starters; accounting for 19.8 PPG, 11.6 RPG, 3.6 APG.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Will need to make up for losing 400 varsity shot attempts from a year ago, solely speaking about their starting lineup.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Will rely on the play of [player_tooltip player_id='314114' first='Alliyah' last='Thompson'] and company to get by this year. A program that will have a promising junior class, ready to step up and make some big waves, displaying that over this next two years, they are going to be here to stay in this 4A class.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Biggest "X" - Factor: How will the guard play support their forwards/centers. On a team that has a very dominate forward/center in Thompson, how will the others play around her to help ease the load of their offense. If the guard play can step up early on in the year and show they make smart, sound choices with the ball. The Bombers may surprise some people as the season gets towards the state playoffs. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#4: North Pork High School </strong>(23-3)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Returning 2/5 starters; accounting for 16 PPG, 11.3 RPG, 6.2 APG.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Will need to make up for losing 800 varsity shot attempts from a year ago, solely speaking about this starting lineup.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>This group is going to be ranked in the Top 5 of this class, all season long, while being debatably #1 at times.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Biggest "X" - Factor: The trio play of this teams top 3 players. ([player_tooltip player_id='311383' first='Abby' last='Tuttle'], [player_tooltip player_id='311356' first='Rebecca' last='Aagard'], [player_tooltip player_id='311369' first='Greta' last='Dillinger']) How will this team make up for their loss of seniors? How good can the trio of Tuttle, Aagard, and Dillinger be when it matters the most? Having three basketball players who understand the game to a T, while all being really skilled is going to be tough to stop if they get on a roll this winter.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#3: Bishop Heelan High School </strong>(23-3)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Returning 2/5 starters; accounting for 22 PPG, 8.3 RPG, 4.4 APG.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Will need to make up for losing 550 varsity shot attempts from a year ago, solely speaking about their starting lineup. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>The addition of [player_tooltip player_id='777159' first='Melina' last='Snoozy'] is going to be massive. A player that is out of South Dakota, is one that is in the debate for the #1 player out of the 2027 class in Iowa coming into this year. Snoozy already holds a handful of D1 offers coming into her freshman season at BH and that list is only going to grow.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Biggest "X" - Factor: How will this team come back after losing three starters and adding a D1 freshman? If they can replicate what they did last year and speed teams up in transition, accounting for a ton of steals on their part, then I expect another big year out of this BH program. It's going to be all about the momentum this group has going into the playoffs this spring and how everyone is fitting together at that moment in time.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#2: Clear Creek Amana High School </strong>(18-6)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Returning 4/5 starters; accounting for 39.8 PPG, 22.3 RPG, 8.8 APG.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>They group virtually brings back everyone except their starting SG from a year ago. Only losing around 145 varsity shot attempts because of it. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>This group is my "underdog" favorite to win the 3A state title this season. If they can put together another great year and use their experience from last seasons state playoff run to be better, then they will be in good shape. They have ever position covered to give themselves a real chance this season. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Biggest "X" - Factor: How this team will bounce back. Have they learned from last season? Have they adapted to their mistakes and made up for it this time around? When things get tough, can they pull out a big victory when they need it? All questions they will need to answer this season before they can be crowd as state champs. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#1: Dallas Center Grimes High School </strong>(23-4)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Returning 3/5 starters; accounting for 19 PPG, 8.5 RPG, 7.2 APG.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>The lose of 2 college basketball commits because of graduation is going to hurt this group but they are in good hands with [player_tooltip player_id='246106' first='Vanessa' last='Bickford'] and company. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>The addition of [player_tooltip player_id='642735' first='Aniyah' last='Boens'], [player_tooltip player_id='832198' first='Macy' last='Meyer'], [player_tooltip player_id='686900' first='Addie' last='Abens'], and [player_tooltip player_id='686901' first='Tessa' last='Jones'] will be crucial in the long run for this Mustangs program. They are the future.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Biggest "X" - Factor: Coming off of a state championships can sometimes be tough. My biggest question will be if this group will have a "hangover" from last season. Can they make up for their loss of talent and adapt to what they have around them. If so, Bickford is a good enough leader to get this team to the state playoff once again, from there, it's anyones game in this class. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list -->