Girls Basketball Capsules: Taking a Quick Look at Area Girls Basketball Teams
Ryan Murken
Your Prep Sports
City High
Coach: Lynsey Barnard (4th season)
Assistant coaches: Mickey Hansche; Sydney Schroder; Kyle Galloway
Last season: 16-8
Returning starters: Kaitlin Loria, 5-11, Jr.; Hattie Galloway, 6-1, Jr.; Tessa Driscoll, 5-7, Sr.
Other returning letterwinners: Halle Larew, 5-11, Sr.; Thisbe Lewis, 6-1, Sr.; Eve Vitense, 5-5, Soph.; Maybes Miller, 5-8, Jr.
Newcomers to watch: Maeve Bowen Burt, 5-6, Soph.; KaLiyah Blakeney, 5-6, Jr.
Top returning scorers: Kaitlin Loria 12.2; Tessa Driscoll 10.5
Top returning rebounders: Kaitlin Loria 6; Hattie Galloway 4.5
Headliner: Senior point guard Tessa Driscoll is a four-year starter that has been a double digit scorer each of her first three season. The 5-foot-7 Driscoll is coming of a junior season in which she averaged 10.5 points, 2.7 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.7 steals per game while shooting 33 percent from 3-point range.
Keep an eye on: Junior Kaitlin Loria has improved in each of her seasons in the starting lineup and will look for a breakthrough season this winter after averaging 12.2 points and 6 rebounds per game last season.
Circle the date: December 12 at Liberty High. The Little Hawks travel across town for an early season cross-town showdown that is a rematch of last year’s regional final won by the Lightning in North Liberty.
Breakdown: City High returns three starters including a pair of double-digit scorers from last year’s team that went 16-8 and fell to Liberty High in the Class 5A regional title game.
Loria and Driscoll headline the list of returners along with 6-foot-1 junior Hattie Galloway who averaged 5 points and 4.5 rebounds per game last season.
Senior Halle Larew (1.9 ppg, 1.2 rpg) and junior Maybes Miller (3.2 ppg, 2.3 rpg) return with varsity experience along with sophomore Eve Vitense who averaged 3.4 points and 1.1 rebounds per game last season.
West High
Coach: Nate Frese (4th season)
Assistant coaches: Jesse Searls; Paul Roesler; Payton Busch; Corinne Sheffield
Last season: 15-9
Returning starters: Ava Frese, 5-5, Sr.; Kate Van Waning, 5-7, Sr.; Grace Fincham, 5-11, Sr.; Abby Neumiller, 6-0, Sr.; Sasha Baldwin, 5-7, Jr.
Other returning letterwinners: Lauryn Hynek, 5-5, Sr.; Savannah Mathias, 5-7, Soph.
Newcomers to watch: Josie Austen, 6-1, Fr.; Olivia Headings, 5-9, Fr.; Ellie DeWaard, 5-6, Fr.
Top returning scorers: Grace Fincham 16; Sasha Baldwin 11.2
Top returning rebounders: Grace Fincham 7.9; Kate Van Waning 4.8 s
Headliner: Senior Grace Fincham is a Drake recruit and one of the top overall players in the state. The 5-foot-11 Fincham is coming off an all-state junior season in which she led the Trojans with 16 points, 7.9 rebounds and 1.8 steals per game to go with 3.2 assists.
Keep an eye on: Junior Sasha Baldwin is quickly emerging as one of the top guards in the state after following up a strong freshman season with a stellar sophomore campaign. Baldwin averaged 11.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.6 steals per game last season while shooting 40 percent from 3-point range and 80 percent from the free throw line.
Circle the date: January 16 vs. Cedar Rapids Prairie. West High hosts preseason fourth-ranked Cedar Rapids Prairie in a rematch of last year’s regional title game in a MVC Showdown that should come with major postseason implications.
Breakdown: West High won 15 games and advanced to a 5A regional title game last season and with five returning starters and a preseason top-10 ranking the Trojans have their sights much higher this season.
Led by Fincham and Baldwin all five starters return for a West High squad that opens the season ranked sixth in Class 5A.
Senior Abby Neumiller returns after averaging 9.8 points and 3.6 rebounds per game while senior point guard Ava Frese is back after averaging 7.3 points and a team-high 3.3 assists per game.
Kate Van Waning also returns after averaging 5.6 points, 4.8 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game. The Trojans should have depth with the return of senior Lauryn Hynek (2.3 ppg, 1 rpg) and sophomore Savannah Mathias (1.1 ppg) and a talented freshman class led by Josie Austen, Ellie DeWaard and Olivia Headings.
Liberty High
Coach: Jaime Brandt (8th season)
Assistant coaches: Jeff Printy; Tom McGrane
Last season: 17-7 (Class 5A state quarterfinal)
Returning starters: Natalie Ramsey, 6-0, Sr.; Ava Casey, 5-5, Jr.; Madi Meyer, 5-10, Sr.; Kennedy Goodheart, 5-9, Sr.
Other returning letterwinners: Natalie Schechinger, 5-8, Soph.; Ava Tague, 5-7, Sr.; Morgan Bennett, 5-7, Jr.
Newcomers to watch: Brynlie Walker, 5-7, Soph.
Top returning scorers: Natalie Ramsey 22.3; Ava Casey 6.3
Top returning rebounders: Natalie Ramsey 10.4; Natalie Schechinger 4
Headliner: South Dakota recruit Natalie Ramsey is a first-team all-state pick and one of only two players in 5A last season to average a double-double after putting up 22.3 points and 10.4 rebounds per game to go with 2 steals, 1.5 assists and 1 blocked shot per game.
Keep an eye on: Junior Ava Casey is already a two-year starter and is poised for a breakout type season after averaging 6.3 points and a team-high 4.5 assists per game last season while ranking second on the team with 30 made 3-pointers.
Circle the date: January 6 against West High. Liberty High hosts cross-town rival West High for the first of top January meetings between the two top-six ranked teams in the preseason rankings.
Breakdown: Coming off the best season in program history the Lightning are seeking to build on that success that included their first ever state tournament appearance.
Liberty High returns four players with starting experience in Ramsey, Casey and seniors Madi Meyer and Kennedy Goodheart.
Ramsey gives the Lightning one of the top players in the state while Casey is a two-year starter that led the team with 4.5 assists per game last season.
Meyer averaged 3.1 points and 4 rebounds per game last season while Goodheart missed much of last season with an injury and averaged 5.3 points per game in limited action.
Look for a strong season from sophomore Natalie Schechinger who averaged 3.1 points, 4 rebounds, 2.8 assists and .9 steals per game last season as a freshman.
Senior Ava Tague and junior Morgan Bennett (1.7 ppg) and sophomore Brynlie Walker (2.3) should all see expanded roles this season.
Clear Creek Amana
Coach: Matthew Hoeppner (1st season)
Assistant coaches: Chris Peterson; Whitney Gorman
Last season: 18-5
Returning starters: Averie Lower, 6-0, Sr.; Lena Evans, 5-8, Sr.; Kennedy Stratton, 5-5, Sr.; Brooklyn Lee, 5-5, Sr.; Nakia Tangang, 5-10, Sr.
Other returning letterwinners: Alex Schrage, 5-7, Sr.
Newcomers to watch: Lydia Keller, 5-8, Fr.
Top returning scorers: Averie Lower 22.5; Lena Evans 17.4
Top returning rebounders: Averie Lower 9.3; Nakia Tangang 5.2
Headliner: Senior guard Averie Lower is an Arizona State recruit and one of the top overall players in the state. Lower is coming off a stellar junior season in which she averaged 22.5 points, 9.3 rebounds, 3 assists and 2.9 steals per game while shooting 42 percent from 3-point range and 85 percent from the free throw line.
Keep an eye on: Senior Lena Evans is coming off a breakthrough junior season and teams with Lower to give the Clippers one of the state’s best backcourt duos. Evans averaged 17.4 points, 4.9 rebounds, 3.8 steals and 2.6 assists per game last season while shooting 37 percent from 3-point range.
Circle the date: December 19 at Williamsburg. The Clippers close out the 2025 schedule with a road trip to defending WAMAC West Division champion Williamsburg for the first of two meetings with the Raiders that should decide the conference title.
Breakdown: Clear Creek Amana had a string of back-to-back state tournament appearances stopped with a regional title game loss at Central DeWitt last season but appears poised for another state tournament run this season.
The Clippers return five starters including its top five scorers from last year’s squad that won 18 games.
Lower and Evans give the Clippers one of the top duos in the state and headline a strong group of returning starters.
Senior Kennedy Stratton returns after averaging 7.8 points and a team-high 4 assists last season while Brooklyn Lee averaged 5.6 points a year ago.
Nakia Tangang returns after averaging 3.2 points and 5.2 rebounds per game and senior Alex Schrage returns after averaging 1.5 points and 1.7 rebounds per game off the bench last season.
Solon
Coach: Jamie Smith (8th season)
Assistant coaches: Mark Sovers; MaKinley Levin; Bryce Pierce; Jim Smith
Last season: 12-11
Returning starters: Jerzey Haluska, 5-9, Jr.; Delainey Durr, 5-6, Sr.; Laeni Hinkle, 5-4, Jr.; Laney Johnson, 5-4, Jr.; Quinn Armentrout, 5-6, Soph.
Other returning letterwinners: Sophia Link, 5-6, Jr.
Newcomers to watch: Tenley Levin, 6-0, Fr.
Top returning scorers: Delainey Durr 12.3; Jerzey Haluska 6.9
Top returning rebounders: Jerzey Haluska 4.9; Delainey Durr 3
Headliner: Senior guard Delainey Durr returns after averaging a team-high 12.3 points per game in her first season as a full-time starter. Durr averaged 3 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.5 steals per game last season and led the Spartans with 53 made 3-pointers.
Keep an eye on: Junior Jerzey Haluska will look to pick up where she left off last season after coming on strong late in her first season as a full-time starter. Haluska is a guard turned undersized post by necessity and averaged 6.9 points, 4.9 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.5 steals per game.
Circle the date: December 16 vs. Mount Vernon. Solon will get a strong test early when it hosts the defending 3A state champion Mustangs in the first of two regular season WAMAC East Division meetings with Mount Vernon.
Breakdown: One year removed from a state title the Spartans finished 12-11 a year ago with a loss to eventual champion Mount Vernon in the 3A regional semifinals.
The Spartans are poised to take a big step forward this season with five players with starting experience returning.
Durr and Haluka headline the list of returners for the Spartans along with juniors Laney Johnson and Laeni Hinkle and sophomore Quinn Armentrout.
Johnson averaged 6.8 points per game last season while shooting 31 percent from 3-point range and Hinkle averaged 3.8 points and 1.5 rebounds per game.
Armentrout started 12 games last season and averaged 4.7 points, 2.7 rebounds 1.9 steals and 1.7 assists per game.
Look for junior Sophia Link to add depth while the Spartans will get a big boost with the addition of talented freshman Tenley Levin.
Regina
Coach: Mary Rogers (7th season)
Assistant coaches: Jordyn Christopherson; Andrew Meister
Last season: 24-2 (Class 2A state semifinals)
Returning starters: Adalee Klein, 6-0, Jr.; Addie McLaughlin, 5-5, Soph.
Other returning letterwinners: Maggie Sueppel, 5-9, Sr.; Ella Keune, 5-8, Sr.
Newcomers to watch: Sophie Wiltgen, 6-0, Jr.; Nora Wade, 5-10, Jr.
Top returning scorers: Addie McLaughlin 17; Adalee Klein 6.1
Top returning rebounders: Adalee Klein 4.7; Addie McLaughlin 4.1
Headliner: Sophomore Addie McLaughlin emerged as one of the top young players in the state last season earning first team Class 2A all-state honors after averaging 17 points, 5.6 assists, 4.1 rebounds and 4.1 steals per game while shooting 50 percent from the floor including 39 percent from 3-point range.
Keep an eye on: Junior post Adalee Klein made major improvements from the start of last season to end of the year and will look to take another huge step forward this season. Klein averaged 6.1 points and 4.7 rebounds per game last season while shooting 48 percent from the floor.
Circle the date: January 13 vs. Mid-Prairie. The first of two regular season meetings with Mid-Prairie will go a long way in determining the top of the River Valley Conference South Division standings.
Breakdown: Regina returns two starters from last year’s squad that went 24-2 and advanced to the Class 2A state semifinals.
The Regals have holes to fill in the lineup but have two key players to build around in McLaughlin and Klein who each played significant roles on last year’s semifinal team.
Seniors Maggie Sueppel and Ella Keune also return after seeing action last season.
Keune averaged 3.3 points, 2 rebounds, 1.7 steals and 1.3 assists per game last season while Sueppel averaged 1 point and 2.2 rebounds per game.
Head coach Mary Rogers expects junior Nora Wade (1.2 ppg, 1.1 rpg) and sophomore Sophie Wiltgen to each step into larger roles as the Regals attempt to replace the production lost from three graduated senior starters.
West Branch
Coach: Justin Liddle (3rd season)
Assistant coaches: Morgan Mason; Eric Stenbrg; Lexus Crist
Last season: 3-19
Returning starters: Lexi Skay, 5-9, Sr.; Kennedy Simpson, 5-9, Sr.; Ava Burnett, 5-8, Jr.; Addi Schultes, 5-6, Sr.
Other returning letterwinners: Lander Malloy, 5-4, Soph.; Maddie Neuberger, 5-5, Sr.; Grace Hamann, 5-7, Jr.; Emalyn Poe, 5-6, Jr.; Alissa Van Hall, 5-10, Jr.
Newcomers to watch: Clancy Trepanier, 5-8, Fr.; Kainoa Senio, 5-6, Fr.
Top returning scorers: Kennedy Simpson 10.7; Ava Burnett 6.6
Top returning rebounders: Lexi Skay 7.5; Ava Burnett 6.9
Headliner: Senior Kennedy Simpson returns after leading the Bears in scoring last season at 10.7 points per game on 34 percent shooting from the floor. Simpson also averaged 5.4 rebounds, .9 assists and .9 steals per game and should see all of those numbers rise this season.
Keep an eye on: Senior Lexi Skay will look to build on a breakout junior season in which she grabbed the fifth most rebounds in a single season in program history. Skay averaged a team-high 7.5 rebounds per game to go with 3.9 points and .9 steals per contest.
Circle the date: December 19 vs. West Liberty. West Branch closes out the 2025 schedule with a home game against rival West Liberty that could give the Bears momentum heading into the holiday break.
Breakdown: West Branch has plenty of reason to believe it will soar past its three wins from a season ago with its top two returning scorers and rebounders among three returning starters from last season’s team that finished 3-18.
Simpson and Skay return along with junior Ava Burnett who averaged 6.6 points and 6.9 rebounds per game last season.
Sophomore Lander Malloy, juniors Grace Hamann, Emalyn Poe and Alissa Van Hall all return along with senior Maddie Neuberger.
Third-year head coach Justin Liddle expects to get major contributions from freshmen Clancy Trepanier and Kainoa Senio.
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