Girls Basketball Capsules: Taking a Quick Look at Area Girls Basketball Teams
Ryan Murken
Your Prep Sports
City High
Coach: Lynsey Barnard (2nd season)
Assistant coaches: Mickey Hansche, Paul Roesler, Sydney Schroder, Andie Westlake, Joe Graf
Last season: 6-16
Returning starters: Tessa Driscoll, 5-7, Soph.; Emmy McComas, 5-11, Jr.; Augie Palmer, 5-8, Jr.
Other returning letterwinners: Avy Lindsey, 5-7, Jr.; Thisbe Lewis, Soph., 5-10
Newcomers to watch: Hattie Galloway, 6-0, Fr.; Kaitlin Loria, 5-10, Fr.; Maeve Obermueller, 5-6, Fr.
Top returning scorers: Augie Palmer 18.5; Tessa Driscoll 10.4; Emmy McComas 8.3
Top returning rebounders: Emmy McComas 7.9; Augie Palmer 4.1; Tessa Driscoll 2.8
Headliner: Junior Augie Palmer excelled in her first season at City High ranking 11th in Class 5A in scoring at 18.5 points per game. The 5-foot-8 Palmer did a lot more than just score in her breakout sophomore season averaging 4.1 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.9 steals per game.
Keep an eye on: Junior Emmy McComas took a huge step forward last season in her first year as a full-time starter and will look for a breakthrough this winter. McComas averaged 8.3 points and led City High with 7.9 rebounds per game last season to go with 2.1 assists and 1.8 steals per game.
Circle the date: November 28 at Solon. City High expects to be much improved this season and the Little Hawks should get an early look at where they stand when they travel to Solon to face a Spartan team that was a 3A state semifinalist last season.
Breakdown: City High won six games in its first season under head coach Lynsey Barnard last year but could be one of the most improved teams in Class 5A this season.
The Little Hawks return three starters and their top four scorers from last year’s squad that finished 6-16.
Palmer and McComas headline a solid list of returners that also includes sophomores Tessa Driscoll and Halle Larew.
Driscoll ranked second on the team in scoring with 10.4 points per game and led the Little Hawks with 2.7 assists while Larew averaged 3 points and 2.6 rebounds per game.
City High expects to get help from the freshmen trio of Hattie Galloway, Kaitlin Loria and Maeve Obermueller and junior Avy Lindsey could provide a boost in a return from injury.
West High
Coach: Nate Frese (2nd season)
Assistant coaches: Jesse Searls; Kris Thorson; Payton Busch, Corinne Sheffield
Last season: 16-7
Returning starters: Lucy Wolf, 5-8, Sr.
Other returning letterwinners: Grace Fincham, 5-9, Soph.; Aly Skala, 5-10, Sr.; Elle Barnett, 5-8, Jr.
Newcomers to watch: Sasha Baldwin, 5-6, Fr.; Ava Frese, 5-5, Soph.; Kate Van Waning, 5-6, Soph.; Abby Neumiller, 5-10, Soph.; Lauryn Hynek, 5-6, Soph.
Top returning scorers: Grace Fincham 8.8; Lucy Wolf 7; Elle Barnett 1.2
Top returning rebounders: Grace Fincham 4.3; Lucy Wolf 1.7; Aly Skala 1.1
Headliner: Sophomore Grace Fincham is a candidate for a big-time breakthrough after a stellar debut campaign in which she ranked third on the team in both scoring and rebounding.
Fincham averaged 8.8 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game last season as a freshman while shooting 50 percent from the floor including 34 percent from 3-point range and 71 percent from the free throw line.
Keep an eye on: Senior Lucy Wolf was limited to 12 games last season but was excellent when she was in the lineup averaging 7 points per game while shooting 40 percent from 3-point range.
The 5-foot-8 Wolf also averaged 1.7 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.3 steals per game and should see all those numbers rise this season.
Circle the date: December 22 vs. City High. West High hosts City High in its final game of the 2023 portion of the schedule seeking a fourth consecutive win over its cross-town rival.
Breakdown: West High won 16 games in year one under head coach Nate Frese, its ninth consecutive season with at least 14 wins, and will look to continue that string of success this winter.
The Trojans must replace four starters including departed senior standouts Meena Tate and Anna Prouty who combined to average 24.3 points and 11.4 rebounds per game last season.
Wolf and Fincham headline the list of returners for the Trojans while junior Elle Barnett and senior Aly Skala should both step into larger roles.
Barnett averaged 1.2 points while Skala averaged 1.1 rebounds per game in limited action last season.
Liberty High
Co-head coaches: Tom McGrane and Jeff Printy (1st seasons)
Assistant coaches: Jake Bingelli; Jennifer Ward
Last season: 14-8
Returning starters: Madeline Casey, 5-8, Jr.
Other returning letterwinners: Haley Schroeder, 5-8, Sr.; Bella Tafolla, 5-5, Sr.; Janessa Mosley, 5-7, Jr.
Newcomers to watch: Natalie Ramsey, 6-0, Soph.; Kennedy Goodheart, 5-9, Soph.; Ava Casey, 5-3, Fr.
Top returning scorers: Madeline Casey 8.3; Haley Schroeder 4.9; Bella Tafolla 4.7
Top returning rebounders: Janessa Mosley 2.5; Maddie Casey 2.4; Haley Schroeder 2.4
Headliner: Junior sharp shooter Madeline Casey is a three-year starter that has made 91 3-pointers in her first two varsity seasons.
Casey is coming off the best season of her career when she averaged 8.3 points and 2.4 rebounds per game while leading the Lightning with 48 made 3-pointers.
Keep an eye on: Junior Janessa Mosley flashed her potential last season while coming off the bench and will look to step up this season in what should be an expanded role.
Mosley averaged 4.6 points and 2.5 rebounds per game last season and should see both of those numbers soar this season.
Circle the date: December 10 vs. West High. Cross-town rivals West High and Liberty High meet for the first time this season at Xtream Arena in Coralville.
Breakdown: Liberty High will go with co-head coaches for a season as Tom McGrane and Jeff Printy sub for Jamie Brandt who is taking a season away from coaching after the birth of her child.
The Lightning are coming off the best season in program history when they won a program-record 14 games and advanced to the 5A regional title game.
Liberty High must replace four starters and plenty of production most notably from departed point guard Jasmine Barney.
Mosley and Casey will step into larger roles along with seniors Bella Tafolla and Haley Schroeder.
Schroeder averaged 4.9 points and 2.4 rebounds and Tafolla averaged 4.7 points per game last season.
Clear Creek Amana
Coach: PJ Sweeney (10th season)
Assistant coaches: Alex Schultejans; Declan Broeg; Sean Patrick; Chad Nims
Last season: 18-5 (Class 4A quarterfinals)
Returning starters: Bliss Beck, 6-2, Sr.; Ava Locklear, 5-11, Sr.; Sam Schrage, 5-8, Sr.; Kaylee Stratton, 5-4, Sr.
Other returning letterwinners: Addison Campbell, 5-3, Sr.; Lena Evans, 5-5, Soph.; Kelsey Leathers, 5-11, Jr.; Averie Lower, 5-10, Soph.; Kiera Rogers, 5-8, Sr.; Kennedy Stratton, 5-4, Soph.; Melissa Sweeney, 5-5, Sr.
Top returning scorers: Ava Locklear 13.8; Averie Lower 11.2; Bliss Beck 10.3
Top returning rebounders: Ava Locklear 10.1; Bliss Beck 6.7; Averie Lower 3.1
Headliner: Senior Ava Locklear is a two-time all-state selection and one of the most uniquely skilled post players in the state. Locklear averaged a double-double last season with 13.8 points and 10.1 rebounds per game and led the Clippers in assists (3.3) steals (1.7) and blocked shots (2).
Keep an eye on: Senior forward Bliss Beck is an excellent compliment to Locklear in the paint and gives the Clippers one of the best front court combos in the state. The 6-foot-2 Beck averaged 10.3 points, 6.7 rebounds and 1.7 blocked shots per game last season.
Circle the date: October 28 at West High. The Clippers get a stiff early-season test against a West High team that defeated Clear Creek Amana 61-47 last season.
Breakdown: Clear Creek Amana won 18 games and advanced to the 4A state tournament for the second time in program history last season, falling to North Polk in the quarterfinals.
With four starters and several other rotational players returning from last year’s quarterfinal team the Clippers open the season with title aspirations.
Locklear and Beck give Clear Creek Amana a dynamic post presence on both ends of the court and sophomore Averie Lower should be in for a stellar season after ranking second on the team with 11.2 points while shooting 41 percent from 3-point range last season.
Senior Sam Schrage returns after averaging 4.5 points, 2.7 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game.
Senior guard Kaylee Stratton has starting experience after averaging 5.2 points, 2.4 rebounds and 2 assists per game last year.
Solon
Coach: Jamie Smith (6th season)
Assistant coaches: Mark Sovers; Nathan Watson; Jim Smith
Last season: 23-3 (Class 3A semifinals)
Returning starters: Callie Levin, 5-9, Sr.; Hailey Miller, 5-7, Sr.; Mia Stahle, 5-3, Sr.; Kobi Lietz, 5-6, Jr.
Other returning letterwinners: Anna Quillin, 5-8, Sr.; Delaney Durr, 5-6, Soph.
Top returning scorers: Callie Levin 18.2; Hailey Miller 11.5; Kobi Lietz 8.2
Top returning rebounders: Anna Quillin 6.3; Callie Levin 5.7; Hailey Miller 3.5
Headliner: Senior point guard Callie Levin is an Iowa signee and one of the best and most versatile players in the state. The 5-foot-9 Levin averaged 18.2 points, 5.7 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 3.7 steals per game last season while shooting 41 percent from the floor and 77 percent from the free throw line.
Keep an eye on: Senior guard Hailey Miller is coming off a breakthrough season that concluded with Miller being selected to the Class 3A all-tournament team at the state tournament.
Miller averaged a career-high 11.5 points per game as a junior and was second on the team with 2.8 assists to go with 3.5 rebounds and 1.9 steals.
Circle the date: December 12 vs. Clear Creek Amana. The Spartans host 4A qualifier Clear Creek Amana in a WAMAC cross-divisional matchup. The Clippers were the only WAMAC opponent to defeat the Spartans last season handing Solon a 75-57 loss in Tiffin.
Breakdown: After reaching the 3A semifinals in its first state tournament appearance since 2006 last season the Spartans have their sights set even higher this winter.
Solon returns four starters and its top five scorers from last year’s team that went 23-3 falling to eventual 3A champion Sioux Center in the 3A semifinals.
Levin headlines a strong Spartan backcourt that also features Miller, senior Mia Stahle and junior Kobi Lietz.
Stahle averaged 6.7 points and 2.1 steals per game last season while Lietz averaged 8.2 points and ranked second on the team with 44 made 3-pointers on a team-high 35 percent 3-point shooting.
Senior Anna Quillin returns after averaging 5 points and a team-high 6.3 rebounds per game while shooting 67 percent from the field.
Solon should also get a backcourt boost from sophomore guard Delaney Durr who expects to see increased minutes.
Regina
Coach: Mary Rogers (5th season)
Assistant coaches: Jordyn Christopherson; Andrew Meister
Last season: 21-5 (Class 1A quarterfinal)
Returning starters: Morgan Miller, 5-5, Jr.; Alli Clark, 5-6, Sr.; Ella McLaughlin, 5-7, Jr.; Morgan Squiers, 5-8, Sr.
Other returning letterwinners: Caitlin Martin, 5-8, Jr.; Lucy Nolte, 5-9, Jr.
Newcomers to watch: Maggie Sueppel, 5-10, Soph.; Ella Keune, 5-8, Soph.; Maddie Squoers, 5-6, Soph.
Top returning scorers: Morgan Miller 17; Alli Clark 14.6; Ella McLaughlin 6
Top returning rebounders: Morgan Miller 4.7; Alli Clark 4.3; Ella McLaughlin 3.7
Headliner: Junior point guard Morgan Miller is coming off a breakthrough season in which she earned Class 2A second team all-state honors after leading the Regals in scoring, rebounding and steals.
Miller averaged 17 points, 4.7 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 steals per game last season while shooting 52 percent from the field including 43 percent from 3-point range.
Keep an eye on: Senior Alli Clark joins Miller in a Regal backcourt that ranks as one of the best in Class 2A. Clark had her own breakthrough season last year averaging 14.6 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals per game on 53 percent shooting from the floor.
The 5-foot-6 Clark shot 67 percent from the free throw line and led Regina with 78 free throws made and 116 attempts.
Circle the date: January 11 vs. North Linn. The Regals step out of conference for a home game against perennial 1A power and defending state semifinalist North Linn.
Breakdown: Regina is seeking another deep postseason run after reaching the Class 2A state tournament each of the past two seasons.
The Regals must replace departed senior point guard Grace Gaarde but bring back four starters led by Miller and Clark in the backcourt.
Junior Ella McLaughlin and senior Morgan Squiers each return with starting experience from a year ago.
McLaughlin averaged 6 points and 3.7 rebounds per game while Squiers averaged 5.3 points and 2.4 rebounds per contest.
Head coach Mary Rogers will look for juniors Caitlin Martin and Lucy Nolte to work into the rotation with sophomores Maggie Sueppel, Ella Keune and Maddie Squiers also in the mix.
West Branch
Coach: Justin Liddle (1st season)
Assistant coaches: Eric Stenberg; Spencer Touro; Lexus Crist
Last season: 7-17
Returning starters: Alyse Klinkkammer, 5-6, Sr.; Kylie Pickett, 5-8, Sr.
Other returning letterwinners: Kya Montgomery, 5-7, Sr.; Madelyn Stout, 5-8, Sr.; Addi Schultes, 5-6, Soph.; Alyssa Pierce, 5-10, Jr.
Newcomers to watch: Kennedy Simpson, 5-9, Soph.; Lexi Skay, 5-7, Soph.
Top returning scorers: Kylie Pickett 10.8; Alyse Klinkkammer 4.7; Kya Montgomery 1.1
Top returning rebounders: Kylie Pickett 4; Alyse Klinkkammer 2.1; Kya Montgomery .9
Headliner: Senior Kylie Pickett is a three-year starter coming off a junior season in which she led the Bears in scoring and set a single-season program record for made 3-pointers.
Pickett averaged 10.8 points, 5 rebounds and 3 steals per game last season and set a West Branch single-season mark with 75 made 3-pointers.
Keep an eye on: Another three-year starter, senior Alyse Klinkkammer brings an experienced leader to the West Branch backcourt. Klinkkammer averaged 4.7 points and 2.1 rebounds per game last season and led the Bears with 2.8 assists per contest.
Circle the date: December 12 vs. Regina. West Branch hosts Regina in the first of two meetings between the two River Valley Conference rivals seeking to snap a five-game losing streak to the Regals.
Breakdown: A new era of girls basketball begins at West Branch with first-year head coach Justin Liddle taking over for Jarod Tylee who led the Bears for 12 seasons.
West Branch will look to build around a pair of three-year, senior starters in the back court in Pickett and Klinkkammer.
Seniors Kya Montgomery and Madelyn Stout will be expected to step into larger roles this season after seeing limited minutes a year ago.
Liddle also expects sophomore Addie Schultes and junior Alyssa Pierce to be in the mix for minutes this season as the Bears look to improve on a 7-17 record from last season.
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