High School Tournaments

BenEClone · 02-26-2008, 12:14 PM

I see that Jr. Amanda Zimmerman is doing well and the Ballard team is in the state 3A tournament.
Sr. Ashley Arlen's Cascade didn't make it, if I read the bracket right. Does anyone have info on her year? She's listed as a 6'1" front line player - sure could use another good one. A Miss Basketball candidate?
Alexis Yackley and Sully Buttes continue to win in SD and have a Region Championship game tonight. I found a story (below) on the District Championship game. Sounds like they value the ball. 9 to's and 21 assists and 12 steals for the team.
I've found very little info on Whitney Williams (Homepage below) - a very good season for her very short team with national tournament next month in Oklahoma City.

It looks like we've got a couple of good pg candidates coming in next year.

AberdeenNews.com

RIDERS GIRLS BASKETBALL | 2007 NATIONAL CHAMPIONS

throwittoblythe · 02-26-2008, 12:23 PM

Arlen goes to my alma mater, Cascade. I've been back a few times and watched their varsity girls play. She's a dominant player in Class 2A. Twice when I watched her play she outscored the other team, by herself. I'm not sure about Miss Basketball, though. She's very good at running the floor and would do well in a transition style offense. She's quicker than any of the other post players she faces. Only issues is that she makes dumb fouls and takes herself out of the game at times, but that's nothing coaching can't fix.

From what my parents tell me they lost to Monticello in the sub-state final because Monticello got crazy hot from 3. Apparently, the exact same thing happened last year.

mred · 02-26-2008, 12:26 PM

According to the bracket, Cascade lost in the district final to Monticello, who made it to state. Monticello won that game 71-62 in OT. Arlen fouled out with about a minute left in OT and the game still very close.

The Monticello Express Online: Sports Report

Here are some season stats:
Iowa Prep Stats - Basketball - Girls - Tri-Rivers - Cascade - Cumulative Stats (02/11/08 7:00 pm)

throwittoblythe · 02-26-2008, 12:31 PM

My bad, wrong round of the tournament. I knew they lost to Monti, I guess I assumed since Monti made it to state that it was in the sub-state final.

That Cascade team has broken a lot of records. They have a few starter's that will be playing collegiate ball. Point guard Llana Otting is going to Upper Iowa, Arlen to ISU, and I think one more player has committed to DIII. It's too bad they weren't ever able to make it pasted the district tourney.

I should mention that having that many players play basketball beyond high school is a big deal for Cascade. A very small school which doesn't produce a lot of talent beyond high school. I think the only DI player it produced before Arlen was Craig Callahan who led UNC-Wilmington to a second round (maybe sweet 16?) appearance a few years ago.

mred · 02-26-2008, 12:35 PM

Originally Posted by throwittoblythe

My bad, wrong round of the tournament. I knew they lost to Monti, I guess I assumed since Monti made it to state that it was in the sub-state final.

I didn't write my post to correct you. :) I started writing my post before you posted yours, so I didn't read your post until after I wrote mine.

Incyte · 02-26-2008, 12:37 PM

Originally Posted by throwittoblythe

I should mention that having that many players play basketball beyond high school is a big deal for Cascade. A very small school which doesn't produce a lot of talent beyond high school. I think the only DI player it produced before Arlen was Craig Callahan who led UNC-Wilmington to a second round (maybe sweet 16?) appearance a few years ago.

You're missing a pretty obvious one. Greg McDermott played for UNI!

throwittoblythe · 02-26-2008, 12:40 PM

Originally Posted by Incyte

You're missing a pretty obvious one. Greg McDermott played for UNI!

Oh yeah, duh to me! I guess I forget about him because he played for UNI long before I was ever interested in basketball. I've heard really great things about Coach McD. and his relation to people in Cascade. I've heard several stories of him inviting friends from Cascade over to his house for drinks after ISU games.

j_crow · 02-26-2008, 01:21 PM

Yeah, from what I've read about the incoming recruits it looks like they'll be good additions to the team next year. Normally I would say that Arlen should redshirt seeing as we'll have four seniors in the front-court (that are presumably ahead of her in talent at this point), but as they're all seniors and won't be returning the following year I think we have to get her some playing experience.

It sounds like Yackley is a true PG with a nose for winning that has been dominating South Dakota basketball since her freshman year. Perhaps she'll be able to allow Lacey to slide over to the 2 or 3 at times next year?

I, too, haven't heard a lot about Williams either (as she's home-schooled), but apparently she's a great shooter and we can never get enough of those in Ames!

fulll02 · 02-26-2008, 02:12 PM

In between game two and three of yesterday's morning session, I saw both Jodie Steyer and Amy Stephens (Drake Head Coach) walking through the Wells Fargo Arena. No real point here, I just thought it was interesting.

BenEClone · 02-26-2008, 04:16 PM

I would speculate that most future D-1 prospects are playing in the tournament - its a good prospecting opportunity; also, a chance to renew coach contacts.

Oldgeezer · 02-27-2008, 09:10 AM

Ashley Arlen will get lots of consideration for "Miss Iowa Basketball" because she has a scolarship to the No. 1 program in the state. The coach in that program has his choice and usually takes the best player in Iowa. Re: Kelsey Bolte, Shelly Mossman, werent they both Miss Iowa Bball?

C.John · 02-27-2008, 09:13 AM

Shellie was Miss Iowa BBall in 2006.

j_crow · 02-27-2008, 10:14 AM

If Arlen does get it then that would be three in a row (and I'd guess Zimmerman has a fair chance at it next year as well)...Fennelly has done a great job over the years of keeping Iowa HS talent in-state.

pulse · 03-11-2008, 01:38 PM

Originally Posted by j_crow

If Arlen does get it then that would be three in a row (and I'd guess Zimmerman has a fair chance at it next year as well)...Fennelly has done a great job over the years of keeping Iowa HS talent in-state.

BF thinks Arlen is the best BB player in the 2008 class. I think we all trust his judgment.

Cypwr · 03-11-2008, 11:58 PM

Kelly Krei Iowa City High 6'2"Sr. is my guess for Miss Basketball. She is going to UI.