City High

Coach: Lynsey Barnard (3^rd season)

Assistant coaches: Mickey Hansche; Sydney Schroder, Kyle Galloway

Last season: 8-15

Returning starters: Augie Palmer, 5-10, Sr.; Tessa Driscoll, 5-7, Jr.; Emmy McComas, 6-0, Sr.; Hattie Galloway, 6-0, Soph.; Kaitlin Loria, 5-10, Soph.

Other returning letterwinners: Maeve Obermueller, 5-5, Soph.; Maybes Miller, 5-8, Soph.; Thisbe Lewis, 6-1, Jr.; Halle Larew, 5-10, Jr.

Newcomers to watch: Eve Vitense, 5-5, Fr.

Top returning scorers: August Palmer 14.5; Tessa Driscoll 12.9; Kaitlin Loria 11.5

Top returning rebounders: Kaitlin Loria 6.4; Emmy McComas 5.9; August Palmer 5

Headliner: Senior August Palmer returns after leading the Little Hawks in scoring (14.5), assists (3.7) and steals (1.8) while averaging 5 rebounds per game last season. A Minnesota State signee, Palmer is a 1,000-point scorer and earned first-team all-MVC Valley Division honors a year ago.

Keep an eye on: Sophomore Kaitlin Loria burst onto the scene a year ago average 11.5 points and a team-high 6.4 rebounds per game as a freshman. Loria shot a team-high 60 percent from the field during her impressive debut season and averaged 1.3 assists and .9 steals per game.

Circle the date: January 24 against West High. City High split two games with its cross-town rival last season defeating West High 53-46 at home. The second meeting of the season between the two rivals in January at City High is part of a six-game stretch to open 2025 that features five games against preseason ranked teams.

Breakdown: City High climbed from six wins two season ago to eight last season and will look for a much bigger jump this year with all five starters returning.

Palmer and Loria lead the way but there is plenty of returning experience and talent returning around those two stalwarts.

Senior Emmy McComas is a four-year varsity player that averaged 6.5 points, 5.9 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game last season.

Sophomore Hattie Galloway averaged 6.9 points, 4.9 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game last season while junior guard Tessa Driscoll is a three-year starter that is coming off a sophomore season in which she averaged 12.9 points, 3.4 assists and 3.1 rebounds per game.

City High should be much deeper than past seasons with key reserves Maeve Obermueller, Maybes Miller, Halle Larew and Thisbe Lewis all returning along and freshman Eve Vitense expected to provide additional depth.

West High

Coach: Nate Frese (3^rd season)

Assistant coaches: Jesse Searls, Paul Roesler, Payton Busch, Corinne Sheffield

Last season: 13-10

Returning starters: Grace Fincham, 5-11, Jr.; Elle Barnett, 5-8, Sr.; Ava Frese, 5-6, Jr.

Other returning letterwinners: Sasha Baldwin, 5-7, Soph.; Abby Neumiller, 6-0, Jr.; Kate Van Waning, 5-9, Jr.; Lauryn Hynek, 5-7, Jr.

Newcomers to watch: Taleen Rahhal, 5-8, Soph.

Top returning scorers: Grace Fincham 15.1; Sasha Baldwin 11; Elle Barett 6

Top returning rebounders: Grace Fincham 6.4; Sasha Baldwin 3.6; Kate Van Waning 3

Headliner: Junior Fincham had a breakthrough sophomore season in which she earned all-state honors and emerged as one of the top players in Class 5A. Fincham averaged 15.1 points, 6.4 rebounds, 2 assists and 1.7 steals per game last season while shooting better than 53 percent from the floor.

Keep an eye on: Sophomore Sasha Baldwin was impressive in her debut last season ranking second on the team in scoring at 11 points per game. Like her teammate Fincham, Baldwin will look to make a big jump as a sophomore after averaging 3.6 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.2 steals per game last season.

Circle the date: December 20 against City High. West High will cap a challenging 10-game 2024 section of the schedule with the first of two regular season meetings with cross-town rival City High.

Breakdown: West High appears poised for a breakthrough season after a young Trojan team won 13 games and advanced to a regional title game last season.

The Trojans return three starters and its top two scorers from a year ago led by double digit scorers last season Fincham and Baldwin.

Senior Elle Barnett returns with starting experience after averaging 6 points and 1.7 rebounds per game last season along with junior point guard Ava Frese who averaged 5 points and 1.6 assists per game last season.

Juniors Abby Neumiller (2.5 points, 1.8 rebounds) and Kate Van Waning (2.1 points, 3 rebounds) both return after gaining experience last season along with junior Lauryn Hynek.

West High faces a tough schedule out of the gate with two out-of-state games against strong Minnesota teams as well as games against 4A fifth-ranked Clear Creek Amana, 3A third-ranked Dubuque Wahlert, 5A No. 11 Waukee Northwest and 5A No. 6 Cedar Falls.

Liberty High

Coach: Jaime Brandt (7^th season)

Assistant coaches: Jeff Printy; Tom McGrane

Last season: 11-9

Returning starters: Maddeline Casey, 5-7, Sr.; Natalie Ramsey, 5-11, Jr.; Kennedy Goodheart, 5-8, Jr.; Ava Casey, 5-5, Soph.; Janessa Mosley, 5-9, Sr.

Other returning letterwinners: Madi Meyer, 5-10, Jr.; Morgan Bennett, 5-7, Soph.; Sydney Van Heukelom, 6-1, Soph.; Ava Tague, 5-7, Jr.

Newcomers to watch: Natalie Schechinger, 5-8, Fr.

Top returning scorers: Natalie Ramsey 14.2; Madeline Casey 11.1; Kennedy Goodheart 7.5

Top returning rebounders: Natalie Ramsey 7.2; Madeline Casey 4.3; Kennedy Goodheart 3.4

Headliner: Junior Natalie Ramsey is coming off a breakout sophomore season in which she led the Lightning in scoring (14.2) and rebounding (7.2) while shooting 50 percent from the field. A South Dakota commit, Ramsey shot 37 percent from 3-point range and 80 percent from the free throw line while averaging 1.6 steals and .6 blocked shots per game.

Keep an eye on: Senior Madeline Casey is a four-year starter that has already made 136 3-pointers and is coming off the best season of her career. Casey averaged career bests of 11.1 points and 4.3 rebounds per game last season along with 1.8 assists and 1.3 steals per contest.

Circle the date: December 6 against Cedar Rapids Washington. Liberty High starts a string of four consecutive December contests against ranked teams by hosting 5A No. 15 Cedar Rapids Washington, a squad that defeated Liberty High 66-58 in North Liberty last season.

Breakdown: Liberty High started 1-5 last season but rebounded to win 10 of its final 14 games and post the program’s third consecutive winning season.

Ramsey and Casey headline an experienced returning roster as the Lightning bring back seven players that started a game last season including five players with double digit career starts.

Junior Kennedy Goodheart averaged 7.5 points and 3.4 rebounds per game last season while senior Janessa Mosley returns after averaging 4.2 points and 3 rebounds per game in an injury-shortened junior season.

Sophomore Ava Casey is back after averaging 4.6 points and making 23 3-pointers last season as a freshman.

Sophomores Sydney Van Heukelom (3 points, 2.4 rebounds) and Morgan Bennett (.9 points) and junior Ava Tage (1.7 points) return along with senior guard Madie Meyer (.8 points).

Clear Creek Amana

Coach: PJ Sweeney (11^th season)

Assistant coaches: Alex Schultejans; Chad Nims; Sean Patrick

Last season: 26-0 (Class 4A state champion)

Returning starters: Averie Lower, 5-10, Jr.

Other returning letterwinners: Lena Evans, 5-5, Jr.; Kelsey Leathers, 5-11, Sr.; Kennedy Stratton, 5-4, Jr.

Newcomers to watch: Gretchen Kruse, 5-7, Jr.; Brooklyn Lee, 5-5, Jr.; Kendyl Malli, 5-4, Jr.; Alex Schrage, 5-7, Jr.; Nakia Tangang, 5-10, Jr.

Top returning scorers: Averie Lower 17.7; Lena Evans 8.5; Kennedy Stratton 5

Top returning rebounders: Averie Lower 5; Kennedy Statton 1.5; Lena Evans 1.3

Headliner: Junior Averie Lower is coming off a breakthrough season in which she was named WAMAC West Division player of the year and first-team all-state while establishing herself as one of the best players in the state. Lower shot 50 percent from 3-point range and averaged 17.7 points per game to go with 5 rebounds and 2.5 steals per contest.

Keep an eye on: Junior Lena Evans carved out a role as instant offense off the bench last season as she ranked third on the team with 8.5 points per game a year ago while shooting 38 percent from 3-point range. Look for Evans to take on a much larger all-around role this season as she steps into the starting lineup.

Circle the date: January 11 vs. Cedar Rapids Prairie. Six of the first 10 games for the Clippers are against teams ranked in the preseason rankings a stretch that concludes with a non-conference contest against 4A seventh-ranked Cedar Rapids Prairie.

Breakdown: Clear Creek Amana is coming of the best season in program history as the Clippers capped an unbeaten season with a 4A state title.

The Clippers must replace four starters from last year’s state title squad but the cupboard is far from bare in Tiffin.

Lower is among the best players in the state and Evans returns after playing starter’s minutes off the bench last season.

Junior guard Kennedy Stratton also returns after averaging 5 points, 2 assists and 1.1 steals per game last season in extended minutes off the bench.

Senior Kelsey Leathers will be expected to take on a big role in the post as Clear Creek Amana seeks to return to the state tournament for the third consecutive season.

Clear Creek Amana will be challenged early with games against 4A seventh-ranked Maquoketa, 5A No. 13 West High, Liberty High and 3A No. 10 Williamsburg before the holiday break.

Solon

Coach: Jamie Smith (7^th season)

Assistant coaches: Mark Sovers; Nathan Watson; Jim Smith

Last season: 24-3 (Class 3A state champions)

Returning starters: Kobi Lietz, 5-6, Sr.

Other returning letterwinners: Delainey Durr, 5-6, Jr.; Jerzey Haluska, 5-9, Soph.; Laeni Hinkle, 5-4, Soph.; Laney Johnson, 5-4, Soph.

Top returning scorers: Kobi Lietz 6.3; Delainey Durr 4.6; Laney Johnson 2.3

Top returning rebounders: Kobi Lietz 2.6; Jerzey Haluska 1.7; Delainey Durr 1.4

Headliner: Senior Kobi Lietz is a three-year starter that was part of the Spartan teams that went 47-6 and advanced to the 3A semifinals each of the past two seasons.

Lietz averaged 6.3 points, 2.6 rebounds, 2 steals and 1.8 assists per game during the Spartans state title season a year ago and should see those number climb this season as she steps into a leadership role.

Keep an eye on: Junior Delainey Durr was a key reserve on the Spartans’ state title team a year ago and is another player that will be looked on to help pick up the production from four departed seniors. Durr averaged 4.6 points, 1.4 rebounds and 1 assist per game last season.

Circle the date: November 26 at Cascade. The Spartans have a chance to make an early statement with a road win at Class 2A third-ranked Cascade, a 2A state tournament qualifier a year ago.

Breakdown: Solon must replace four starters including Miss Iowa basketball and Iowa recruit Callie Levin from last year’s title team.

However, veteran coach Jamie Smith likes the program he has built at Solon and trusts the talent coming up.

Solon is seeking a fifth consecutive winning season but will have to navigate and challenging early season schedule that features five of seven pre-holiday break games against ranked opponents.

Lietz and Durr lead the group of returning players while sophomores Jerzey Haluska, Laeni Hinkle and Laney Johnson will be expected to step into large roles after playing as reserves last season.

Regina

Coach: Mary Rogers (6^th season)

Assistant coaches: Jordyn Christopherson; Andrew Meister

Last season: 19-5

Returning starters: Morgan Miller, 5-6, Sr.; Ella McLaughlin, 5-7, Sr.; Caitlin Martin 5-8, Sr.

Other returning letterwinners: Ella Keune, 5-5, Jr.

Newcomers to watch: Adalee Klein, 6-0, Soph.; Addie McLaughlin, 5-5, Fr.; Nora Wade, 5-9, Soph., Maggie Sueppel, 5-9, Jr.

Top returning scorers: Morgan Miller 19.5; Ella McLaughlin 10.8; Caitlin Martin 9.3

Top returning rebounders: Caitlin Martin 5.3; Morgan Miller 4.9; Ella McLaughlin 4.2

Headliner: Senior Morgan Miller is among the best players in Class 2A and the top guards in the state. Miller is coming off a stellar junior season in which she led Regina in points (19.5), steals (3.9), assists (3.8) and ranked third on the team with 4.9 rebounds per game.

Keep an eye on: Senior guard Ella McLaughlin is a three-year starter coming off her best season after she averaged 10.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.8 steals per game last season while shooting 47 percent from the floor and 34 percent from 3-point range.

Circle the date: January 18 against Cascade. Regina hosts the Cougars in a rematch of last year’s 2A regional title game won by the Cougars 50-47.

Breakdown: Regina posted its third consecutive season with at least 19 wins but came up a victory shy of a third straight state tournament appearance falling to Cascade in the substate final.

Regina returns three starters and three of its top four scorers from last seasons 19-win squad as it gears up for another state tournament run.

Miller and McLaughlin headline the starters while senior Caitlin Martin returns after averaging 9.3 points, a team-high 5.3 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game.

Junior Ella Keune (1.8 points, 2 rebounds) returns along with junior Maggie Sueppel (1.1 points, 1.7 rebounds)

Regina is also expecting immediate contributions from freshman point guard Addie McLaughlin and sophomore Adalee Klein who averaged 7.1 points and 5.9 rebounds per game last season at Vinton-Shellsburg.

West Branch

Coach: Justin Liddle (2^nd season)

Assistant coaches: Morgan Mason; Eric Stenberg; Lexus Crist

Last season: 3-19

Returning starters: Addi Schultes, 5-5, Jr.

Other returning letterwinners: Katelyn Essington, 5-10, Sr.; Lexi Skay, 5-9, Jr.; Maddie Neuberger, 5-5, Jr.; Kennedy Simpson, 5-9, Jr.; Ava Burnett, 5-8, Soph.; Jenie Gomez, 5-4, Jr.; Alyssa Pierce, 5-9, Sr.; Sulli Bucknell, 5-4, Soph.

Top returning scorers: Kennedy Simpson 6.6; Addi Schultes 4.6; Lexi Skay 3.1

Top returning rebounders: Addi Schultes 5.6; Lexi Skay 3.1; Kennedy Simpson 2.9

Headliner: Junior Addi Schultes is the lone returning starter for the Bears and is coming off a productive sophomore season in which she led the team with 5.6 rebounds per game to go with 4.6 points, 1.6 assists and .8 steals per contest.

Keep an eye on: Junior Kennedy Simpson showed impressive potential last season ranking second on the team with 6.6 points per game while shooting 27 percent from 3-point range. Simpson also averaged 2.9 rebounds and .6 assists per game.

Circle the date: December 20 at West Liberty. The Bears will try to go into the holiday break on a high note with a win over a rival after splitting two matchups with West Liberty last season.

Breakdown: West Branch will look to take a step forward in its second season under head coach Justin Liddle after winning three games last season.

Schultes is the lone returning starter for West Branch but the Bears bring back several players that earned valuable varsity experience last season.

Simpson, senior Alyssa Pierce and Junior Lexi Skay all return after seeing extended action a season ago.

Skay averaged 3.1 points and 3.1 rebounds per game last season while Pierce averaged .7 points and .7 rebounds per contest.

Look for senior Katelyn Essington, sophomores Ava Burnett and Sulli Bucknell and junior Jenie Gomez to all compete for minutes this season.

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