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Iowa high school girls basketball preseason Super 10 rankings

alyssa hertel, des moines register
·4 min read

In the world of Iowa high school girls basketball, it’s hard to beat what Johnston accomplished last season.

The Dragons went 26-0 and claimed the state title behind a talented star in Jada Gyamfi, who is now at Iowa. Johnston graduated its two top scorers, but the Dragons add one of the best freshmen in the country in Jenica Lewis.

Whether she lives up to the hype is yet to be seen at the high school level, which is partly why the reigning champions find themselves ranked second in the Des Moines Register’s preseason Super 10.

Thanks to Sahara Williams’ offseason – along with Halli Poock and Sierra Moore’s success – Waterloo West finds itself as the favorite.

But there is a lot of basketball to be played, and a lot could change in the next few months.

Here are the top 10 teams statewide ahead of the season’s first games on Friday:

Iowa high school girls basketball fans can expect a tight race between Waterloo West and Johnston for the top spot.
Iowa high school girls basketball fans can expect a tight race between Waterloo West and Johnston for the top spot.

1. Waterloo West

2021-22 record: 23-3

How do you pick between two powerhouse programs with rosters featuring Division I talent? It’s really hard. Sahara Williams seems to get better with time and Halli Poock was an unstoppable scoring force as a junior. Add Sierra Moore’s rebounding abilities to that, and Waterloo West has a pretty terrific trio.

2. Johnston

2021-22 record: 26-0

The Dragons won the Class 5A title and went undefeated in 2021, which would make them the automatic favorite in most cases. But Johnston graduated its two top scorers – Jada Gyamfi and Anna Gossling. Molly Noelck, Aili Tanke and Aaliyah Riley are more than capable of stepping up. The Dragons' biggest threat, though, is probably freshman Jenica Lewis. She has more than 20 Division I offers before playing any high school basketball.

3. Pleasant Valley

2021-22 record: 22-3

From her success at the free throw line to her rebounding abilities, Halle Vice is a tough player to shut down. She’ll be back with Jessie Clemons on her side, as well as sophomores Reagan Pagniano and Addy Maurer, who showed glimpses of potential while appearing in all 25 games. Will it be enough to get past two dominant teams in Waterloo West and Johnston?

Halle Vice (12) will be a big part of keeping Pleasant Valley high in the Super 10 rankings.
Halle Vice (12) will be a big part of keeping Pleasant Valley high in the Super 10 rankings.

4. Ankeny Centennial

2021-22 record: 20-4

It will be hard for the Jaguars to replace Cleao Murray. But Kennedy White seems more than capable of stepping up in her senior season, and she’ll have help from Averi Porter and Makenna Clark. The rest of this Ankeny Centennial team is still pretty young, so that's something to watch against more experienced teams.

5. Iowa City West

2021-22 record: 19-4

Meena Tate and Anna Prouty are a dangerous and dynamic duo. Then there’s Melae’ Lacy, Keiko Ono-Fullard and Lucy Wolf, each of whom scored 100 or more points last year. Put money on Iowa City West to put all the pieces together and surprise some programs.

More:Vote for the Des Moines Register's male and female athlete of the week candidates for Nov. 6-12

6. West Des Moines Valley

2021-22 record: 19-6

It might be tough to recover from graduating Meredith Rieker, but Elise Jaeger found her own success during last year’s sophomore season. The Tigers lost Sophia Hope – Valley’s third-highest scorer in 2021-22 – to Waukee, as well. This is a team with a lot of potential and the Tigers graduated only one senior.

With Meredith Rieker graduated and Sophia Hope now at Waukee, this could be a big year for Valley's Elise Jaeger.
With Meredith Rieker graduated and Sophia Hope now at Waukee, this could be a big year for Valley's Elise Jaeger.

7. Dallas Center-Grimes

2021-22 record: 21-4

The Mustangs should be the strongest team in 4A based on who returned to Dallas Center-Grimes. DCG’s top four scorers – Emma Miner, Finley Fitzgerald, Vanessa Bickford and Kayla Reis – are all back. This team should be a well-oiled machine from the start and might have a chance to redeem itself from last season’s early playoff exit.

8. Des Moines Roosevelt

2021-22 record: 20-3

Arianna Jackson is good enough to play Division I basketball, and she’s good enough to keep Roosevelt high in Class 5A despite losing Amaya Davison and Trinity Cheatom, who were both seniors last year. A lot of potential for a team that made a solid run in the playoffs.

More high school sports:Introducing the 2022 All-Iowa girls high school cross country honorees

9. Southeast Polk

2021-22 record: 13-10

The Rams had the worst record of the teams on this list last season, but this could be the year things click for Southeast Polk. The team returns seniors Brooklin Dailey and Stella Charleston and sophomore Alyssa Bartlett, all of whom averaged 10+ points per game last season. There were several other young players who made a consistent impact. And without much turnover, expect that to work in the Rams' favor.

10. West Liberty

2021-22 record: 19-5

It may seem odd to throw a team with a new coach and a 19-win record from last season in the preseason top 10. But that’s just how much Iowa State recruit Kelsey Joens brings to a team. Joens transferred from Iowa City High to play for her sister, Courtney, who coaches West Liberty.

Alyssa Hertel is the college sports recruiting reporter for the Des Moines Register. Contact Alyssa at ahertel@dmreg.com or on Twitter @AlyssaHertel.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Iowa high school girls basketball preseason Super 10 rankings