Girls Basketball Capsules: Taking a Quick Look at Area Girls Basketball Teams
Ryan Murken
Your Prep Sports
Class 5A
City High
Coach: Bill McTaggart (22nd season, 398-90)
Assistant coaches: Fred Riddle, Tim Casey, Lynsey Barnard, Paul Roesler
Last season: 23-2 (Class 5A semifinals)
Returning starters: Ella Cook, 6-0, Sr.; Kelsey Joens, 5-10, Soph.; Eviyon Richardson, 5-11, Jr.
Other returning letterwinners: Andie Westlake, 5-10, Jr.; Kacie Earl, 6-0, Jr.; CeCe Kelly-Harvey, 5-8, Sr.
Newcomers to watch: Georgia Kimm, 5-6, Jr.
Top returning scorers: Kelsey Joens 10.5; Eviyon Richardson 6.6; Ella Cook 5.8
Top returning rebounders: Ella Cook 6.6; Eviyon Richardson 5.5; Kelsey Joens 4
Headliner: Sophomore Kelsey Joens burst onto the scene last season averaging 10.5 points and 4 rebounds per game as a freshman and with the top three scorers from last seasons lost to graduation those numbers are likely to soar during her sophomore season.
Keep an eye on: Ella Cook hasn’t put up huge numbers but has been a key contributor on three straight state tournament teams and is coming off her best season when she averaged 5.8 points and a team-high 6.6 rebounds last season.
Circle the date: January 22 vs. West High. City High won both matchups with cross-town rival West High last season and including a 75-56 win at City High.
Breakdown: City High lost a trio of Division I players from last year’s Class 5A semifinal squad but more than enough talent and experience returns for the Little Hawks to make a run at a fifth consecutive state tournament trip.
Joens and Cook join junior Eviyon Richardson as Little Hawks with starting experience and all three are capable of putting up big-time numbers in expanded roles this season.
A starter two seasons ago as a freshman Richardson is coming off a strong sophomore season that saw her average 6.6 points and 5.5 rebounds per game.
City High will need a couple of other players to step up this season with juniors Andie Westlake, Georgia Kimm and Kacie Earl and senior CeCe Kelly-Harvey all in the mix to earn more minutes.
Westlake saw the most action last season averaging 2 points per game while Kimm, Earl and Kelly-Harvey have all seen spot playing time the past two seasons.
West High
Coach: BJ Mayer (14th season, 225-84)
Assistant coaches: Nate Frese, Erika Mundt, Jesse Searls, Brian Motley, Kris Thorson
Last season: 14-10
Returning starters: Audrey Koch, 5-11, Sr.; Matayia Tellis, 5-5 Sr.; Meena Tate, 5-8, Soph.
Other returning letterwinners: Emma Ingersoll Weng, 5-6, Jr.; Jenna Sauners, 5-5, Sr.; Liv Williams, 5-10, Sr.; Avery Vest, 5-5, Jr.; Carolyn Pierce, 5-6, Soph.; Anna Prouty, 5-11, Soph.
Newcomers to watch: Melae Lacy, 6-0, Fr.; Lucy Wolfe, 5-7, Fr.
Top returning scorers: Audrey Koch 18.5; Matayia Tellis 10.6; Meena Tate 6.7
Top returning rebounders: Matayia Tellis 6.2; Audrey Koch 5.9; Anna Prouty 3.2
Headliner: Providence recruit Audrey Koch is one of the state’s top players and is coming off a monster junior season in which she led the Trojans in scoring for the second consecutive season while earning second-team all-state and MVC Divisional player of the year honors.
Keep an eye on: Senior Matayia Tellis has been a stalwart in the West High backcourt for the past three seasons and does it all for the Trojans. A strong defender, Tellis led West High in rebounds and assists last season while averaging a career-high 10.6 points per game.
Circle the date: January 2 vs. Southeast Polk. West High is scheduled to open 2021 by hosting the preseason second-ranked Rams.
Breakdown: Last season a young West High team had an uncharacteristic season as the Trojans finished with double digit losses for just the second time in 15 seasons.
The roster returns nearly entirely intact this season as West High seeks its first trip to the state tournament since winning the 5A titles in 2017.
West High has all the makings of a state tournament team with a star in Koch, a solid senior point guard in Tellis and now an experienced group of playmakers around them.
Sophomore Meena Tate is back after averaging 6.7 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game in a strong freshman season while West High will get a boost from the return of junior Emma Ingersoll-Weng who had a strong season two years ago but missed last year with a knee injury.
Senior Jenna Saunders was a 41 percent 3-point shooter a year ago and strengths the backcourt while Liv Williams and Anna Prouty both return in the post after earning playing time last season.
Class 4A
Clear Creek Amana
Coach: PJ Sweeney (7th season)
Assistant coaches: Nathan Elliott, Abby Kite, Alex Schultejans, Sean Patrick, Chad Nims
Last season: 19-5 (Class 4A Quarterfinals)
Returning starters: Calia Clubb, 6-0, Jr.; Whitney Traetow, 5-6, Sr.; Emily Sly, 6-0, Sr.
Other returning letterwinners: Gabrielle Bedford, 5-6, Sr.; Morgan Etscheidt, 6-1, Jr.; Bailey Olerich, 5-6, Jr.; Kalin Rotzoll, 5-6, Jr.; Dayna Wchhart, 5-4, Sr.
Newcomers to watch: Haley Tackaberry, 5-5, Sr.; Olivia Miller, 5-5, Soph.
Top returning scorers: Calia Clubb 8.9; Whitney Traetow 6.6; Emily Sly 3.7
Top returning rebounders: Calia Clubb 9.2; Morgan Etscheidt 2.6; Emily Sly 2
Headliner: Junior Calia Clubb will look to take her game to an even higher level this season after averaging 8.9 points and a WAMAC West-leading 9.2 rebounds per game last season on her way to being a unanimous first-team all-West Division pick.
Keep an eye on: Senior Whitney Traetow is set up for a breakthrough season after become a steady presence in the Clipper back court last season when she averaged 6.6 points and 2 assists per game while earning second-team all-West Division honors.
Circle the date: February 5 vs. Center Point-Urbana. The WAMAC West Division title could be on the line when the Clippers host Center Point-Urbana in its second to last conference game.
Breakdown: The Clippers have holes to fill following the best season in program history that included the first ever state tournament trip but the cupboard is far from bare for seventh-year coach PJ Sweeney.
Clear Creek Amana must replace a couple of long-time stalwarts and its top two scorers in graduated seniors Karsyn Stratton and Meagan Harvey from a team that went 19-5 last season but there is both talent and experience coming back.
Clubb and Traetow headline a group of three returning starters that all earned all-West Division honors last season.
Senior forward Emily Sly earned honorable mention all-division honors last season after averaging 3.7 points and 2.3 rebounds per game and should see those numbers rise in an extended role this winter.
Junior Morgan Etscheidt, a 6-foot-1 center, and senior guard Gabrielle Bedford also return with experience.
Class 3A
Solon
Coach: Jamie Smith (3rd season, 12-31)
Assistant coaches: Mark Sovers, Danielle Hawker, Jim Smith
Last season: 9-13
Returning starters: MaKinley Levin, 5-9, Jr.; Kaia Holtkamp, 5-8, Jr.; Elly Holubar, 5-7, Jr.; Jada Buffington, 5-6, Jr.; Ava Stebral, 5-4, Jr.
Other returning letterwinners: Claire LaDage, 5-8, Soph.; Hilary Wilson, 5-6, Soph.
Newcomers to watch: Callie Levin, 5-9, Fr.; Hailey Miller, 5-7, Fr.; Alex Locke, 5-8, Jr.
Top returning scorers: Kaia Holtkamp 11.2; Makinley Levin 10.8; Elly Holubar 6.9
Top returning rebounders: Elly Holubar 8.9; Kaia Holtkamp 3.9; Makinley Levin 3.8
Headliner: Junior Kaia Holtkamp emerged as one of the top players in the WAMAC last season earning first team all-East Division and third-team Class 3A all-state honors after averaging a team-high 11.2 points, 3.9 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game.
Keep an eye on: A three-year starter, Makinley Levin teams with classmate Holtkamp to give the Spartans one of the most experienced backcourts in Class 3A. Levin averaged 10.8 points, 3.8 rebounds and 1.4 steals per game while earning second-team WAMAC East Division honors as a sophomore.
Circle the date: Dec. 1 vs. Central DeWitt. The second of three consecutive games against ranked opponents to open the season Solon will get a good gauge of where it sits in the WAMAC pecking order after facing 4A No. 5 Central DeWitt.
Breakdown: Solon made big-time progress in year two under head coaching jumping from three wins two seasons ago to nine victories last winter.
With five players with starting experience returning and the addition of heralded freshman point guard Callie Levin the Spartans are a candidate for an even bigger breakthrough this season.
Holtkamp and Makinley Levin give Solon a pair of experienced scorers in the backcourt while 5-foot-9 freshman Callie Levin is a skilled point guard ready to make an immediate impact.
Junior Elly Holubar is undersized to play the 5-foot-7 but is as tenacious a rebounder as there is in Class 3A and will look to build on a stellar sophomore season that saw her lead the WAMAC West Division with 8.9 rebounds per game while averaging 6.9 points.
Juniors Ava Stebral and Jada Buffington are back with starting experience after combining for 26 3-pointers last season while sophomore guards Claire LaDage and Hilary Wilson also return after getting valuable minutes last season.
Class 2A
Regina
Coach: Mary Halvorson (2nd season, 16-8)
Assistant coaches: Mark Besler, Paige Besler
Last season: 16-8
Returning starters: Grace Gaarde, 5-5, Soph.; Annie Gahan, 5-11, Sr.
Other returning letterwinners: Abby Clark, 5-7, Sr.; Lillian Simpson, 5-11, Jr.
Newcomers to watch: Alli Clark, 5-7, Fr.
Top returning scorers: Annie Gahan 11.3; Grace Gaarde 5.3; Lillian Simpson 4.7
Top returning rebounders: Annie Gahan 4.8; Lillian Simpson 4.2; Grace Gaarde 1.9
Headliner: Senior Annie Gahan was one of the most productive players in the River Valley Conference last season averaging 11.3 points, 4.8 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game on her way to being named to the RVC South Division team.
Keep an eye on: Sophomore Grace Gaarde did more than just get her feet wet at the varsity level lats season, she showed flashes of being among the best point guards in the conference averaging 5.3 points, 2 assists and 1.9 rebounds per game as a freshman.
Circle the date: January 12 vs. West Branch. West Branch has won three of the last four including both of last years meetings between the two RVC South Division rivals.
Breakdown: Regina lost three starters from a team that won 16 games and placed third in the RVC South Division but brings back enough firepower for second-year head coach Mary Halvorson to once again be toward the top of the league.
Regina must replace the production of post Sam Greving who led the Regals in scoring and the savvy of senior guard Claire Gaarde who led the Regals in rebounding and assists.
Gahan is capable of picking up some of the scoring slack along with Grace Gaarde who should flourish as the leader of the Regina offense.
The return of Abby Clark and Lillian Simpson from injury and the addition of freshman guar Alli Clark will provide a boost.
Simpson averaged 4.7 points and 4.2 rebounds per game and is coming back from a knee injury while Abby Clark missed most of last season with an injury.
West Branch
Coach: Jarod Tylee (10th season, 150-59)
Assistant coaches: Rick Sexton, Brad Koenig, Tony Luneckas, Marcelina Marvelli
Last season: 21-4 (Class 2A Quarterfinals)
Returning starters: Sasha Koenig, 5-5, Sr.; Taya Young, 5-7, Sr.; Rylan Druecker, 5-7, Sr.
Other returning letterwinners: Lexie Peak, 5-6, Sr.; Delaynie Luneckas, 6-2, Jr.; Abby Westcott, 5-3, Sr.; Savannah Sexton, 5-5, Sr.; Allie Laschanzky, 5-6, Sr.; Bailey Donohoe, 5-6, Sr.
Newcomers to watch: Madison Hovancik, 5-6, Jr.; Avery Schultes, 5-5, Soph.; Sadie Smith, 5-11, Soph.
Top returning scorers: Sasha Koenig 15.2; Rylan Druecker 9; Taya Young 8
Top returning rebounders: Delaynie Luneckas 4.1; Sasha Koenig 3.6; Rylan Druecker 3.4
Headliner: A Bradley signee, senior Sasha Koenig is among the best point guards and top playmakers in the state. Koenig averaged 15.2 points as a junior and ranked 10th in the state with 5.7 assists per game to go with 3.6 rebounds and 3.5 steals.
Keep an eye on: A four-year starter with Koenig in the West Branch backcourt senior Taya Young is seeking a strong finish to her career after averaging 8 points, 2.4 rebounds and 2.9 steals per game as a junior.
Circle the date: January 5 at West Liberty. An early 2021 trip to Class 3A second-ranked West Liberty should be the best game between the two rivals in years and could be biggest challenge of the season to date for top-ranked West Branch.
Breakdown: The preseason ranking and expectations for West Branch couldn’t be any higher following a 21-win season a year ago that ended with a quarterfinal loss to Osage at the Class 2A state tournament.
West Branch opens the season atop the Class 2A rankings thanks in part to three returning starters from last year’s team that won the River Valley Conference South Division crown.
The West Branch backcourt is loaded with Young, Koenig and fellow senior Rylan Druecker who averaged 9 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.8 steals per game and ranked second on the team with 48 made 3-pointers.
West Branch must build depth in the post but returns 6-foot-2 junior Delaynie Luneckas who is poised for a big jump after averaging 4.4 points, 4.1 rebounds and 1 blocked shot per game last season off the bench.
Did you enjoy this subscription free article? Help keep Your Prep Sports free by donating.
