Girls Basketball Capsules: Taking a Quick Look at Area Girls Basketball Teams
Ryan Murken
Your Prep Sports
City High
Coach: Bill McTaggart (22nd season)
Assistant coaches: Lynsey Barnard, Paul Roesler, Phil Lala, Fred Riddle, Courtney Joens
Last season: 10-5
Returning starters: Georgia Kimm, 5-6, Sr.; Kelsey Joens, 5-10, Jr.; Eviyon Richardson, 5-11, Sr.; Andie Westlake, 5-10, Sr.
Other returning letterwinners: Claire Ernst, 5-9, Soph.; Lauren Koch, 5-10, Jr.; Kacie Earl, 6-0, Sr.; Mia Driscoll, 5-6, Jr.; Lydia Karr, 5-10, Sr.; Martha Hamilton, 5-8, Sr.; Jaiden Roesler, 5-10, Sr.
Newcomers to watch: Emmy McComas, 5-9, Fr.; Bella Cooley, 6-1, Sr.
Top returning scorers: Kelsey Joens 18.7; Eviyon Richardson 14.3; Andie Westlake 6.7
Top returning rebounders: Eviyon Richardson 7.8; Kelsey Joens 5.5; Andie Westlake 3.5
Headliner: Junior Kelsey Joens is coming off a breakthrough season in which the Iowa State commit ranked eighth in Class 5A in scoring at 18.7 points per game while earning second-team all-state honors.
Keep an eye on: Senior Eviyon Richardson is coming off her best season as a prep when the Omaha recruit averaged 14.3 points and a team-high 7.3 rebounds per game while shooting 32 percent from 3-point range.
Circle the date: December 10 against Waterloo West. The Little Hawks will get a pre-holiday test when they host second-ranked Waterloo West in a rematch of last season’s regional final won by the WaHawks 64-51 in Waterloo.
Breakdown: After missing the state tournament last season City High is seeking a return trip to Des Moines and has the roster to make another deep run.
The Little Hawks bring back their top two scorers in Joens and Richardson among four players that return with starting experience.
Senior Andie Westlake averaged 6.7 points and 3.5 rebounds per game last season in her first year in the starting lineup while senior guard Georgia Kimm also returns after averaging 4 points per game as a starter a year ago.
Senior Kacie Earl has seen varsity playing time the past two seasons and will look to take a step forward and City High expects to get a boost with the addition of 6-foot-1 senior Bella Cooley as well as 5-foot-9 freshman Emmy McComas.
West High
Coach: BJ Mayer (15th season)
Assistant coaches: Nate Frese, Erika Mundt, Jesse Searls, Kris Thorson, Ella Daubitz
Last season: 14-4 (Class 5A state semifinals)
Returning starters: Meena Tate, 5-8, Jr.; Emma Ingersoll-Weng, 5-6, Sr.; Anna Prouty, 5-11, Jr.
Other returning letterwinners: Melae Lacy, 6-0, Soph.; Lucy Wolfe, 5-7, Soph.; Avery Vest, 5-6, Sr.; Carolyn Pierce, 5-6, Jr.
Newcomers to watch: Keiko Ono-Fullard, 5-3, Jr.
Top returning scorers: Emma Ingersoll-Weng 9.1; Meena Tate 8.7; Anna Prouty 4.9
Top returning rebounders: Anna Prouty 5.2; Meena Tate 4.2; Emma Ingersoll-Weng 3.6
Headliner: Senior guard Emma Ingersoll-Weng bounced back from a knee injury that forced her to miss her sophomore season by averaging 9.1 points, 3.6 rebounds and a team-high 3.3 assists per game last year as a junior.
Keep an eye on: Junior Meena Tate is a tall and lanky guard that can cause problems for opponents on both ends with her athleticism and is poised for a breakthrough season after averaging 8.7 points and 4.2 rebounds per game last year.
Circle the date: November 27 vs. Bishop Garrigan. West High will get an interesting test in its season opener when it faces Class 1A second-ranked Bishop Garrigan and its 6-foot-3 standout center Audi Crooks (20.7 points, 10.6 rebounds per game in 2020) at Kirkwood Community College.
Breakdown: After reaching the Class 5A semifinals last season West High reloads for another postseason run in 2021.
The Trojans bring back a trio of starters in Ingersoll-Weng, Tate and Prouty from last year’s team that went 14-4 falling to Johnston in the 5A semifinals.
All three of those players look to take big steps forward in expanded roles in head coach BJ Mayers’ system while West High will look for role players from last year such as sophomores Melae Lacy (2.9 ppg) and Lucy Wolfe (3 ppg) to take on larger roles as well.
Junior Carolyn Pierce and senior Avery Vest will be looked to for valuable minutes and West High expects a major boost with the addition of transfer Keiko Ono-Fullard who led Liberty High with 8.3 points and 3 assists per game last season.
Liberty High
Coach: Jaime Brandt (5th season)
Assistant coaches: Jeff Printy, Tom McGrane, Jeremy Mims
Last season: 4-12
Returning starters: Ava Meyer, 6-2, Jr.; Avery Gaudet, 5-7, Jr.; Kennedy Daugherty, 5-10, Jr.
Other returning letterwinners: Haley Napoli, 5-5, Sr.; Kinsley Robertson, 5-7, Sr.; Brynlee Slockett, 5-8, Soph.; Bella Tafolla, 5-6, Soph.; Sunny Yarnell, 5-10, Soph.
Newcomers to watch: Jasmine Barney, 5-8, Jr.; Madi Casey, 5-7, Fr.
Top returning scorers: Ava Meyer 6.7; Avery Gaudet 5.7; Sunny Yarnell 4.2
Top returning rebounders: Kennedy Daugherty 6.3; Ava Meyer 5.1; Sunny Yarnell 2.9
Headliner: Junior Ava Meyer showed major improvement last season when she averaged 6.7 points and 5.1 rebounds per game and the 6-foot-2 post has the length and skill to take things even further this year.
Keep an eye on: Junior Cedar Falls transfer Jasmine Barney should provide an immediate boost in the backcourt after starting all 21 games and averaging 8.6 points, 4.7 rebounds and 3.4 assists for the Tigers a year ago.
Circle the date: December 10 against West High. The Lightning will get a major test early in the season when the cross-town rival Trojans visit for a Friday night varsity doubleheader.
Breakdown: Liberty High has won 10 games over the past three seasons after going 10-11 in its debut campaign but should be in for a big-time bump in the win column this winter.
The Lightning bring back a pair of proven post players in Meyer and 5-10 junior Kennedy Daugherty (4.2 ppg, 6.3 rpg) among three returning starters.
Junior Avery Gaudet is already a two-year starter and brings athleticism to the backcourt after averaging 5.1 points and 2.3 rebounds per game as a sophomore.
Barney is a proven commodity with two years of experience in the Mississippi Valley Conference at Cedar Falls and has the capability of being the lead scorer the Lightning need.
Add sophomores Brynlee Slockett, Bella Tafolla and Sunny Yarnell who all gained experience a year ago and the Lightning have a solid rotation capable of competing night in and night out.
Clear Creek Amana
Coach: PJ Sweeney (8th season)
Assistant coaches: Nathan Elliott, Alex Schultejans, Sean Patrick, Chad Nims
Last season: 17-5
Returning starters: Calia Clubb, 6-0, Sr.; Morgan Etscheidt, 6-1, Sr.; Olivia Miller, 5-5, Jr.; Kalin Rotzoll, 5-6, Sr.
Other returning letterwinners: Ava Locklear, 5-10, Soph.; Reese Stockman, 5-5, Soph.
Newcomers to watch: Meghan Cullen, 5-7, Sr.; Shelby Leathers, 5-10, Sr.
Top returning scorers: Calia Clubb 11.7; Kalin Rotzoll 7.7; Morgan Etscheidt 6.3
Top returning rebounders: Calia Clubb 10.6; Ava Locklear 4.1; Kalin Rotzoll 3
Headliner: Senior Calia Clubb returns after posting her best season as a prep last winter when she was one of only five players in Class 4A to average a double-double putting up 11.7 points and 10.6 rebounds per game.
Keep an eye on: Senior guard Kalin Rotzoll emerged as a viable scoring threat last season averaging 7.7 points per game while shooting 36 percent from 3-point range while leading the Clippers with 39 made 3-pointers.
Circle the date: December 3 at Solon. An early-season, three-game swing that includes a season-opener against upstart West Delaware and an early-morning matchup with WAMAC West Division rival Williamsburg concludes with a trip to preseason eighth-ranked Solon in a WAMAC cross-divisional showdown.
Breakdown: After reaching the 4A state tournament for the first time in 2020 the Clippers didn’t take much of a step back last season winning a second consecutive WAMAC West Division title in what was viewed by many as a rebuilding season.
The Clippers return four starters from that team that went 17-5 last season but was bounced by Marion in the 4A regional semifinals.
Clubb and Rotzoll headline the list of returning starters while senior Morgan Etscheidt (6.3 ppg, 2.7 rbg) and junior Olivia Miller each returning with starting experience.
The 6-foot-1 Etscheidt along with Clubb and 5-foot-10 emerging sophomore Ava Locklear give the Clippers an imposing front court after Locklear averaged 4.5 points and 4.1 rebounds per game last season
Expect sophomore Reese Stockman (4.8 ppg, 2.7 rpg) to make a big jump this season while providing scoring punch in the back court.
Solon
Coach: Jamie Smith (4th season)
Assistant coaches: Mark Sovers, Jim Smith, Nathan Watson
Last season: 17-5
Returning starters: Callie Levin, 5-9, Soph.; Makinley Levin, 5-9, Sr.; Kaia Holtkamp, 5-8, Sr.; Ellie Holubar, 5-7, Sr.; Hilary Wilson, 5-6, Jr.
Other returning letterwinners: Ava Stebral, 5-5, Sr.; Claire LaDage, 5-7, Jr.; Hailey Miller, 5-6, Soph.; Alex Locke, 5-7, Sr.
Top returning scorers: Callie Levin 19; Makinley Levin 9.2; Kaia Holtkamp 8.5
Top returning rebounders: Elly Holubar 9.4; Callie Levin 5; Makinley Levin 3.3
Headliner: Sophomore Callie Levin is among the top point guards in the state and is coming off an impressive debut season in which she was one of only two players state wide to average 19 points, 5 rebounds, 4 steals and 3.5 assists per game.
Keep an eye on: Senior guard Kaia Holtkamp is a four-year starter and former all-WAMAC performer that brings a veteran presence to the Solon lineup as well as game-changing ability on both ends of the floor.
Circle the date: November 27 vs. Cedar Rapids Xavier. The Spartans get an early season test when it takes on the preseason Class 4A fourth-ranked Saints in a top-10 matchup at Kirkwood Community College.
Breakdown: Solon has made the jump from a three-win team in the first season under Smith in 2018 to 17 wins and a spot in the 3A regional finals a year ago.
Now the Spartans aim to take the next step while moving up to Class 4A this season.
The talent and experience are in place for preseason eighth-ranked Solon to do big things this winter with the roster returning virtually intact from a year ago.
Sophomore point guard Callie Levin is the catalyst and is coming off an impressive debut season in which the Iowa recruit led the Spartans with 19 points, 3.7 assists and 4 steals per game.
Senior guards Makinley Levin (9.2 ppg, 3.3 rpg) and Kaia Holtkamp (8.5 ppg, 2.9 rpg) are both four-year starters in the back court and bring veteran leadership and scoring punch.
Senior forward Elly Holubar (4.4 ppg, 9.4) is a ball of energy and rebounding machine despite being undersized while junior Hilary Wilson (3.7 ppg) also returns after starting last season.
The Spartans have offensive weapons off the bench in form of senior sharpshooter Ava Stebral (4 ppg) and junior Claire LaDage (2.3 ppg) and Smith expects a boost from sophomore Hailey Miller and senior Alex Locke who each saw limited action last season.
West Branch
Coach: Jarod Tylee (11th season)
Assistant coaches: Rick Sexton, Tony Luneckas, Marcelina Marvelli
Last season: 21-2 (Class 2A State semifinals)
Returning starters: Delaynie Luneckas, 6-2, Sr.
Other returning letterwinners: Sadie Smith, 5-10, Jr.; Madison Hovancik, 5-5, Sr.; Addie Wehde, 5-3, Sr.; Aly Klinkkammer, 5-4, Soph.; Kylie Pickett, 5-8, Soph.
Newcomers to watch: August Palmer, 5-8, Fr.; Olivia Naber, 5-7, Soph.; Madelyn Stout, 5-7, Soph.; Kya Montgomery, 5-7, Soph.
Top returning scorers: Delaynie Luneckas 11.7; Sadie Smith .9; Kylie Pickett .5
Top returning rebounders: Delaynie Luneckas 9.7; Madison Hovancik .9; Sadie Smith .8
Headliner: Senior forward Delaynie Luneckas emerged as one top post players in Class 2A last season when the Minnesota State recruit nearly averaged a double-double putting up 11.7 points and 9.7 rebounds to go with 2.6 blocks per game.
Keep an eye on: Junior Sadie Smith saw spot duty on last year’s state semifinal squad but will be looked to for a lot more production this season as teams focus their defensive attention on Luneckas.
Circle the date: December 10 vs. Cascade. Another area team that will get a good idea of where it stands early West Branch hosts perennial 2A power and preseason seventh-ranked Cascade in its second game of the season.
Breakdown: West Branch won the first state tournament game in program history last season advancing to the 2A semifinals before falling to Dike-New Hartford but veteran coach Jarod Tylee must remake the roster this season after the graduation of four senior starters.
Gone are do-everything point guard Sasha Koenig and senior running mates Rylan Druecker, Lexie Peak and Taya Young that gave the Bears one of the best backcourts in 2A a year ago.
Luneckas is a strong piece to build around and will be one of the best post players in the state this winter.
Smith and Madison Hovancik each saw limited time off the bench a year ago and will be asked to take on more prominent roles this season along with senior Addie Wehde and sophomores Aly Klinkkammer and Kylie Pickett.
Regina
Coach: Mary Rogers (3rd season)
Assistant coaches: Jordyn Christopherson, Andrew Meister
Last season: 12-8
Returning starters: Grace Gaarde, 5-5, Jr.; Hope Simpson, 5-7, Sr.; Lily Simpson, 5-11, Sr.
Other returning letterwinners: Alli Dillon, 5-8, Sr.; Alli Clark, 5-6, Soph.
Newcomers to watch: Morgan Miller, 5-6, Fr.
Top returning scorers: Grace Gaarde 9.3; Hope Simpson 7; Lily Simpson 6.3
Top returning rebounders: Lily Simpson 7.1; Hope Simpson 3.5; Grace Gaarde 2.7
Headliner: Junior point guard Grace Gaarde is ready to emerge as one of the top players in the River Valley Conference after averaging 9.3 points and a team-high 3.7 assists and 2.9 steals per game last season.
Keep an eye on: Senior Lily Simpson is coming off a breakthrough, all-state volleyball season and will look to translate that success to the basketball court after averaging 6.1 points and a team-high 7.1 rebounds per game a year ago.
Circle the date: January 11 at West Branch. The Regals will be looking to snap a five-game losing skid to RVC rival West Branch when it travels a few miles west for the first meeting of the season between the two RVC South Division foes.
Breakdown: Regina returns three starters that all ranked in the top five on the team in scoring a year ago as the Regals went 12-8.
Gone is senior standout Annie Gahan who led the Regals in scoring and was second on the team in rebounding, assists and steals a year ago bot the Regals have the offensive balance to make up that production.
Gaarde leads the way and is ready to take her game to the next level while Hope and Lily Simpson provide a nice combination of athleticism and scoring punch in the front court for fourth-year coach Mary Rogers.
Rogers is excited about the development of senior Alli Dillon (2 ppg) and sophomore Alli Clark (3.1 ppg) and expects both to take on large roles this winter.
Look out for freshman guard Morgan Miller who should have an immediate impact and team with Gaarde to give the Regals a dynamic backcourt.
Did you enjoy this subscription free article? Help keep Your Prep Sports free by donating.
