Your Prep Sports Area Girls Basketball Players to Watch
Ryan Murken
Your Prep Sports
Girls basketball season officially started last week with the first day of practice for teams around the state.
The goal for every team that rolled out the basketballs last week is a spot at the state tournament that is currently scheduled for March 1-6 at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines.
For the past several seasons the Your Prep Sports area has features some of the best individual players and teams in the state.
Last season three area teams across three classes reached the state tournament and this season figures to be another strong year for area teams.
Before the season gets rolling here is a look at 10 area players to watch this season.
Sasha Koenig
Senior, West Branch
The Bradley signee continued to build on her reputation as one of the state’s most exciting players to watch last season when she led West Branch in scoring for the second consecutive season averaging 15.2 points per game.
Among the best point guards in the state, Koenig ranked 10th in the state and third in Class 2A with 5.7 assists per game to go with 3.6 rebounds and 3.5 steals while helping West Branch reach the 2A state tournament.
Kelsey Joens
Sophomore, City High
The latest in a long line of Joens sisters to star at City High, Kelsey Joens burst onto the scene last season with a stellar freshman campaign in which she averaged 10.5 points per game.
Joens shot 40 percent from the field including 32 percent from 3-point range last season and will look to take on an even larger role in the City High offense this season with the graduation of three senior starters.
The 5-foot-10 Joens averaged 4 rebounds, 1.8 steals and 1.4 assists per game as a freshman.
Audrey Koch
Senior, West High
One of the best all-around players in the state Koch enjoyed the best season of her career as a junior averaging a career-high 18.5 points per game while earning second team all-state honors in Class 5A.
A Providence signee, Koch shot 50 percent from the field including 35 percent from 3-point range and 81 percent from the free throw line while ranking second in 5A in free throw attempts (139) and third in made free throws (113).
The 5-foot-11 Koch was named the Mississippi Valley Conference Valley Division player of the year after averaging 5.9 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.4 steals to go with her 18.5 points per game.
Calia Clubb
Junior, Clear Creek Amana
Already a two-year starter, Clubb is coming off the best season of her career as a sophomore when she was a unanimous WAMAC West Division selection.
Clubb averaged 8.9 points and a team-high 9.2 rebounds per game last season ranking eighth in Class 4A and leading the WAMAC West Division in rebounding.
The 6-foot Clubb added 1.2 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.2 blocks per game and shot 51 percent from the field as a sophomore.
Kaia Holtkamp
Junior, Solon
The growth of Holtkamp was among the biggest reasons Solon tripled its win total last season.
A starter since her freshman season Holtkamp averaged a career-best 11.2 points per game last season helping Solon rise from three wins to nine wins.
Holtkamp earned first-team all-WAMAC East Division honors after averaging 3.9 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game as a sophomore.
Annie Gahan
Senior, Regina
In her second season as a full-time starter Gahan emerged as one of the most productive players in the River Valley Conference.
Gahan averaged 11.3 points, 4.8 rebounds and 2.3 steals per game last season on her way to being named to the RVC South Division squad.
The 5-foot-7 Gahan will look to make an even bigger impact this season as Regina attempts to improve on a 16-8 season from a year ago.
Matayia Tellis
Senior, West High
Tellis will look to build on the best season of her career after taking her game to another level last season as a junior.
The 5-foot-5 point guard averaged a career-best 10.6 points per game while earning first team MVC Valley Division honors.
It was everything that Tellis did outside of scoring that made her so valuable for West High last season. She led the Trojans with 6.2 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 2.4 steals a game from her point guard spot.
Ella Cook
Senior, City High
A regular in the City High lineup the past three seasons Cook has been an unsung hero on Little Hawk teams that have reached the state tournament each season during her varsity career.
The 5-foot-11 Cook led City High with 6.6 rebounds per game last season and had the best offensive season of her career averaging 5.8 points on 42 percent shooting.
Cook will look to build on her scoring and rebounding numbers as City High seeks a fifth consecutive state tournament appearance.
Keiko Ono-Fullard
Sophomore, Liberty High
One of three freshman that saw significant playing time for Liberty High last season Ono-Fullard had a strong debut season ranking second the team in scoring, fourth in rebounding and leading the Lightning in assists.
Ono-Fullard averaged 7.6 points, 3.6 rebounds and 2 assists per game a year ago and was third on the team with 14 3-pointers.
The 5-3 point guard should be in for a bigger season with a year of experience under her belt.
Rylan Druecker
Senior, West Branch
A breakthrough season from Druecker was a key factor in West Branch winning its first River Valley Conference title and reaching the state tournament for the first time since 2016.
Druecker ranked second on the team in scoring with a career-best 9 points per game and ranked second with 48 made 3-pointers.
The 5-foot-7 Druecker added 3.4 rebounds and 1.8 steals per game while being named to the River Valley Conference South Division team.
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