Iowa girls’ state basketball 2023: A closer look at Monday’s games

DES MOINES — Capsules for Monday's games involving area teams at the Iowa high school girls' state basketball tournament at Wells Fargo Arena.

Class 3A quarterfinals

No. 10 Vinton-Shellsburg (17-7) vs. No. 1 Estherville-Lincoln Central (24-0)

Time: 5 p.m.

Top players: Alyssa Griffith (5-11, sr.) paces a balanced Vinton-Shellsburg team at 12.1 points and 6.3 rebounds per game. Abby Davis (5-6, sr.) adds 10.9 points per game, Julia Johnson (5-3, jr.), the lone non-senior in the rotation, scores at an 8.3-point clip. Haylee Stokes (5-6, soph.) is the focal point for ELC, averaging 21.0 points, 5.9 assists and 5.1 steals per game, all of which lead the 3A field. Older sister Jordyn Stokes (5-5, sr.) is a 41-percent 3-point shooter and averages 14.6 ppg.

Coaches: Rich Haisman has engineered Vinton-Shellsburg’s turnaround, compiling a 62-32 record in four years. Don Martindale is in his sixth year at ELC, where he has compiled a 99-47 record. He is 337-205 in 22 years overall.

Tournament history: Vinton and Vinton-Shellsburg have combined for eight tournament berths (the Vikettes won a six-player title in 1984 and a 3A crown in 1995), but this is the program’s first appearance since 1999. Estherville has a similar history, winning a six-player title in 1982 and the 3A crown last year as ELC. The Midgets are in Des Moines for the eighth time.

BC Moore computer projection: ELC by 24.

No. 4 Benton Community (21-3) vs. No. 5 Des Moines Christian (21-3)

Time: 6:45 p.m.

Top players: Kirkwood Community College commit Jenna Twedt (5-9, sr.) is Benton’s all-time leading scorer and averages 20.3 points and 3.5 assists per game. Much of the rest of the lineup is junior-driven, with McKenna Kramer (5-8) and Emma Townsley (5-8) scoring 9.5 and 9.2 points per game, respectively. Abby Hall (5-8, jr.) paces Des Moines Christian at 12.7 points per game. Kaitlyn Mumm (6-2, sr.) scores at a 12.5-point clip while Maren Miller (6-0, sr.) is good for 12.0 points and 9.0 rebounds per game.

Coaches: Jeff Zittergruen has compiled a 76-39 record in five years at Benton. Brad Johnson owns a nine-year record of 179-41 at DMC, 308-173 in 21 seasons overall.

Tournament history: Benton has qualified for the fifth time and is looking for its first state-tournament win. Two of its predecessors, Newhall and Van Horne, won six-player championships in 1927 and 1962, respectively. DMC also is a five-time qualifier with a 1-4 record all-time.

BC Moore computer projection: Benton by 10.

No. 2 Solon (22-2) vs. No. 8 Dubuque Wahlert (18-6)

Time: 8:30 p.m.

Top players: University of Iowa commit Callie Levin (5-9, jr.) is Solon’s star, averaging 18.5 points, 5.8 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 3.8 steals per game. Hailey Miller (5-7, jr.) adds 10.9 ppg, and Kobi Lietz (5-6, soph., 8.5 ppg) was the Spartans’ regional-final hero. Wahlert, which played two classes up through most of the regular season, has a pair of inside gems in Claire Lueken (6-0, soph., 13.5 ppg) and Emma Donovan (6-0, sr., 12.3 ppg, 9.8 rpg).

Coaches: Jamie Smith owns a 65-48 mark in five years at Solon and (at 197-137 in 16 years overall) can reach the 200-win milestone if the Spartans win it all. Kris Spiegler has been in the business 39 years, including 17 years as Wahlert’s head coach. She is 184-207 there, 256-317 overall.

Tournament history: A former powerhouse that won 2A titles in 1994, 1997 and 1998, Solon has qualified for the first time since 2006. The Spartans are making their eighth trip. Wahlert advanced for the ninth time; the Golden Eagles are 1-8 in state-tournament competition, reaching the 3A semifinals in 2004.

BC Moore computer projection: Solon by 2.

Monday's other games

Class 5A quarterfinals

No. 2 Johnston (22-1) vs. No. 7 Southeast Polk (15-7), 10 a.m.

No. 3 Waterloo West (22-1) vs. No. 6 Ankeny Centennial (17-6), 11:45 a.m.

No. 1 Pleasant Valley (23-0) vs. No. 9 West Des Moines Valley (15-8)

No. 4 West Des Moines Dowling (19-4) vs. No. 5 Davenport North (21-2)

Comments: jeff.linder@thegazette.com